Assume that you are one of the leaders of the major combatants in July 40 the war has not started, you are allowed to pick only 4 different airplane models and you have to stick with them for the whole war, what would you pick. The planes have to have flown by this time in test or production. If I were the US I would pick the B-17, the B-25, the P-47 and the F4U. I would use my two bombers in the cargo, bomber, recon, navel interdiction, and the 25 as my night fighter. The thunderbolt because of its ability as a fighter/bomber, and the Corsair becasue it can be used from a carrier. If I were Russia I would pick the Mig-3 and the Il-2. They got by well enough with them and I can not argue for any other additions. If I were Germany I would choose the Fw-190, the Fw-200, the JU-88, and the Hs-129, This one was tough. My usage would be similar to that of my American selections. The idea here is to get the best possible combination with the fewest models.
To be uber-realistic, wouldn't it be best to pick only aircraft which existed by 1940, or are you allowing any aircraft developed during the whole 1939-45 period?
I meant to only pick those that flew by July 1940. The Corsair didnt not have the performance nor the space for the night fighter equipment until 44-45. I will have to rethink my whole US pick then, I thought that it was before that. Dang. Part of me wants the P-39 or the P-38. I will have to go with the P-38 and make it the night fighter instead fo the B-25. Why dont you all go on and pick yours now.
As much as I would love to include the F4U, the 1st production F4U-1 didn't fly until June of 42, which doesn't qualify for your rules. Kinda hard to equip an airforce with prototypes!! US - P-40, B-25, Vultee Vengence, B-17 GB - Wellington, Hurricane, Spitfire Ger- Bf-110, Bf-109e4, Ju-87, Ju-88 Jap- A5M Claude, G3M Nell, D3A Val, Ki-27 Nate Rus- MiG-1, Yak-1, Il-4
If I can mix and match then I would take the Spitfire, C-47, B-25, and Stuka. For my aircraft carrier's, I would have Zero's and SBD's
For the Allied side, I'd pick the Mosquito as my night fighter/raider/tank buster/recon, the B-17 as the heavy bomber, the B-24 as a mixed use bomber/transport, and as a main fighter, the Spitfire. For the Axis, the FW-190 would be the top fighter with the Stuka as the tank buster/raider. I'd include the A6M1 as fast in/out recon photo aircraft. Unfortunately I don't think there's anything in the German or Japanese inventory in 1940 that I would pick for a reliable bomber. Personally, I prefer the B-26 Marauder over the B-25. The A-20 Havoc was also a good looking plane.
Nice planes, but the rule of this thread was to pick planes in service before June 1940. Neither the FW-190, A6M1, A-20, B-24, nor the Mosquito were in service then. Also, I'm a little stunned that you said In 1940, the Ju-88 and He-111 were extremely reliable and effective planes serving a multitude of roles. They were also already combat proven. I would like to know what planes that were designed for the same roles in the ETO were better in 1940 than these two.
Not in service. Thor: I am supprised that you chose the P-40 over the P-38, The ceiling and range on the 38 was far greater. Would you like to explain your choice? Also why the Yak-1 vs the Mig-3 Falcon: Why the Spitfire. It lacked range in a big way?
Easy, The P-38 was not in production in June 1940. I'm just following the rules set by you. You stated it was June 1940 and I had to pick planes. Again, it wasn't in production until December of 1940.
We are assuming that as long as the plane had flown for the first time by July 1940 it was eligable, it did not have to be in production.
oops, my fault....I didn't see the part about TEST or production. Heck yeah I'd take the P-38 over the P-40.
Here is my airforce: Long range bomber: Farman F.222 Medium range bomber: LeO 451 Dive bomber: Stuka Ground attack: Breguet 691 Fighter: Spitfire Mk.1 Reconnaissance: Lockheed A-28 Hudson Trainer: Bucker Bu.131 Jungmann Liason: Lysander Mk.1 Transport: DC-3 Seaplane: Short Sunderland Mk.1 I'm 99% certain all were in service by the end of 1939.
The US really had two distinct "Air Forces:" The USAAF and the USN. Expecting four aircraft to cover two such distinct roles is plain silly. You end up constrained by the Navy and have to make all the choices accordingly. This is a problem the Germans and to a lesser degree the British do not face giving them a huge advantage in this exercise. USAAF: B-24 Heavy bomber, transport, maritime patrol. P-38 Long range fighter, fighter bomber, nightfighter, and reconnissance. P-39 while historically something of a loser with a turbocharger or Packard Merlin it becomes more than a match for an Me 109 or Fw 190 (see the P-63 its larger cousin). Tactical fighter, ground attack, reconnissance. A-20 / DB 7 Attack, nightfighter, maritime attack, strike bomber. USN: F4U Fighter, fighter bomber, night fighter. TBU Sea Wolf Torpedo bomber, strike aircraft. SBD Dive bomber. PBM Mariner. Maritime patrol, sea rescue, transport. The B-24 is a cross over too.
