The quest for the worst combat aircraft in history... - Page 9

Bilge_Rat · 09-29-10, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

Chuck Yeager Said that a good pilot in a bad plane can beat a bad pilot in a good plane.

I read the the combat history of the Japanese Ace Saburo Sakai, He fought 6 F6F's off Iwo, despite being outnumbered, flying an outdated Zero and blind in one eye, he damaged one and managed to return to base without a single bullet hole in his plane!

Remember early in the war Japan had a large force of combat experienced pilots, but by the end of the war, most of the pilots were lucky to have more than a dozen flight hours.

from what I recall from his memoirs, Sakai singlehandedly fought off 15 F6 in that battle off Iwo. He would wait until the fighter was in firing position on his tail and roll away before the pilot could react. When he got back to base, he said his whole body was mush from the stress and he had to be helped from the plane.

but the greatest performance was probably that of the japanese ace Muto over the japanese mainland in february 1945. He took on 12 corsairs (or hellcats, the accounts differ) in a Zero and shot down 4.

Bilge_Rat · 09-29-10, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Aah, didn't know about the mod on Yeagers F-104, that explains that. Don't get me wrong, I have a respect for the Starfighter...but it's not a gentle plane, you make a mistake and it will bite your head off. Some aircraft let you get away with little errors...I doubt very much the F-104 is one of them.

I certainly wouldn't call it the worst combat aircraft in history...but it at least deserves to be on the list IMHO.

Oh, and the Lead Sled? Dunno what to make of it...but prefer the Sabre any day.

A lot of the planes designed in the 50s were very dangerous. They were extremely powerful and were basically designed (and flown) by the seat of the pants, since the study of aerodynamics was rudimentary back then. They also lacked many of the standard safety features (like a g limiter) which are now standard.

Piloting any of them was a very dangerous job.

I recall reading the story of an accident which occurred in the mid 50s. The pilot of a jet fighter, I dont recall the model, flew into the air base at 600 knots at a right angle to the landing strip intending to do a sharp left turn at the very end to slow the plane down and land. In the middle of the turn, both wings tore off and the plane crashed. When they found the pilot, he was dead although he appeared unharmed. When they reconstructed the accident they calculated the sharp turn had subjected the plane and the pilot to a force of 180 gs! resulting in instant death.

I personally find the early jet fighters to be extremely fascinating.

Admiral8Q · 09-29-10, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vendor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_XFY

I think this one has got to be one of the most innovative designs that actually worked! It seems like an early version to the modern Osprey!

As for worst combat aircraft so far, I'd have to give my vote for the LWS-6 Żubr! I mean who could ever love that fugly plane?

Takeda Shingen · 09-29-10, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admiral8Q

As for worst combat aircraft so far, I'd have to give my vote for the LWS-6 Żubr! I mean who could ever love that fugly plane?

Why is it that early eastern European designs are so ugly?

EDIT: Agree about the history of VTOLs.

TLAM Strike · 09-29-10, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admiral8Q

I think this one has got to be one of the most innovative designs that actually worked! It seems like an early version to the modern Osprey!

THIS is an early version of the Osprey...

Admiral8Q · 09-29-10, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

Why is it that early eastern European designs are so ugly?

EDIT: Agree about the history of VTOLs.

Not all are ugly IMO. It's probably the 'snout' of this plane that makes it ugly. The fact that it's design was so flawed that says worst combat aircraft. I'm sure it was great as it's intended design (other then the landing gear problem) as a passenger plane. The big forward canopy would probably offer a panoramic view. I wouldn't want to take it into combat however.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

THIS is an early version of the Osprey...

Yes that's interesting

I think it would be cool to take a 'Pogo' to commute!

Not only would you have to parallel park, but also that vertical parking would be tricky...
http://www.planeaday.com/images/2010...Y-1_Pogo_3.jpg

JSLTIGER · 09-29-10, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

THIS is an early version of the Osprey...

Actually the X-19 and X-22 would be better examples of early versions of the V-22 Osprey.

X-19:

X-22:

Legionary74 · 09-29-10, 03:12 PM

Already found the worst combat plane:

Rockstar · 09-29-10, 05:38 PM

We had a development team come up with a proposal to the Pentagon for the manufacture a cheap fighter aircraft. Though we did sell them on the idea of arming the aircraft with lighter fluid and taping a strike anywhere match on the nose. After the contracts were signed and we were made rich. Several aborted strikes missions later we found a problem with the launch and propulsion systems. Seems they could never reach their intended target before crashing to the ground and burning up on impact.

gimpy117 · 09-29-10, 06:28 PM

Oberon · 09-29-10, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimpy117

Already nominated and discarded:

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

The Okha? They worked quite well actually.

They sank or destroyed beyond repair 2 Destroyers and hit 6 other ships incl 1 BB in the space of about 3 months. Not bad for something in service for only around 6 months.

Sailor Steve · 09-29-10, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

THIS is an early version of the Osprey...

Neener neener, the Brits did it first!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Rotodyne

Sailor Steve · 09-29-10, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legionary74

Already found the worst combat plane:

At least those are cute. I'd love to try one.

TLAM Strike · 09-29-10, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

At least those are cute. I'd love to try one.

Better save your money:
http://seaeagleinternational.com/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Neener neener, the Brits did it first!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Rotodyne

Russians did it better...

They set the payload and alt record with theirs.

Sailor Steve · 09-29-10, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Russians did it better...

They set the payload and alt record with theirs.

So?

09-29-10, 06:28 PM	#130
gimpy117 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 3,243 Downloads: 108 Uploads: 0	__________________ Member of the Subsim Zombie Army

09-29-10, 03:12 PM	#128
Legionary74 Ensign Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 220 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Already found the worst combat plane:

09-29-10, 05:38 PM	#129
Rockstar In the Brig Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 12,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	We had a development team come up with a proposal to the Pentagon for the manufacture a cheap fighter aircraft. Though we did sell them on the idea of arming the aircraft with lighter fluid and taping a strike anywhere match on the nose. After the contracts were signed and we were made rich. Several aborted strikes missions later we found a problem with the launch and propulsion systems. Seems they could never reach their intended target before crashing to the ground and burning up on impact.