More shots of the P40's and P47's.

[7.62lew]

Can't get enough of the war bird photos. Great shots. Keep em coming!

[dwalt]

Can't get enough of the war bird photos. Great shots. Keep em coming!

Thanks,
I have a lot more to post. Please be patient as I go through them.

Here is a preview of the P51s......

[jonnytheweb]

awesome pics!!!

[PJ1]

Great stuff! Keep them coming. I have been doing some reading about the P40 vs Zero lately and they really weren't as outclassed as has been suggested. It was a matter of avoiding low speed dog fights where the Zero was more agile. The Japanese records from the war in New Guinea admitted losses to the P40 which were twice as high as the RAAF recorded as "confirmed" kills. And the P47 with the four blade paddle prop was a real beast. Have you read James Holland's book "Big Week". I highly recommend it - if only to get an appreciation of how narrow minded and inflexible some of the top level decision makers were.

[RobG]

Great stuff! Keep them coming. I have been doing some reading about the P40 vs Zero lately and they really weren't as outclassed as has been suggested. It was a matter of avoiding low speed dog fights where the Zero was more agile. The Japanese records from the war in New Guinea admitted losses to the P40 which were twice as high as the RAAF recorded as "confirmed" kills. And the P47 with the four blade paddle prop was a real beast. Have you read James Holland's book "Big Week". I highly recommend it - if only to get an appreciation of how narrow minded and inflexible some of the top level decision makers were.

For one thing, the Zero had no armour to protect the pilot, so 0.5" machine guns were effective. In the European conflict, 20mm cannon were needed. The attitude of the Japanese military to loss of life was appalling.

[Tonytee]

For one thing, the Zero had no armour to protect the pilot, so 0.5" machine guns were effective. In the European conflict, 20mm cannon were needed. The attitude of the Japanese military to loss of life was appalling.

That is a very interesting point, RobG. Hopefully everyone will find this interesting as well. In Germany during WWII, the Germany fighter pilots flying the M-109, returned to

their base and complained to Mr. Messerschmidt that the canopy was too low for them to operate the aircraft properly. They claimed they had to hunch over low and this

made it very difficult to be able to turn their heads in any direction in order to spot the American and British fighters that were after them. The designer, Messerschmidt denied

there was any problem with his design and refused to make any adjustments. Which resulted in more kills for the good guys. ) True story.

Tony

[RobG]

That is a very interesting point, RobG. Hopefully everyone will find this interesting as well. In Germany during WWII, the Germany fighter pilots flying the M-109, returned to their base and complained to Mr. Messerschmidt that the canopy was too low for them to operate the aircraft properly. They claimed they had to hunch over low and this made it very difficult to be able to turn their heads in any direction in order to spot the American and British fighters that were after them. The designer, Messerschmidt denied there was any problem with his design and refused to make any adjustments. Which resulted in more kills for the good guys. ) True story.

It was certainly tight.

Youtu.be

Youtu.be

The standard practice was for the Me109 squadrons to pounce from altitude then go back up as fast as possible. Perhaps to avoid having to really maneuver.