Production was slow at first, but by September 1940 it was in service with 18 RAF squadrons. Spitfires shot down a total of 529 enemy aircraft, for a loss of 230 of their own. The Hurricane was the most numerous of RAF Fighter Command’s aircraft during the Battle of Britain, equipping 33 squadrons by September 1940.
What plane shot down the most planes in ww2?
It is accurate to state that the P-38 did shoot down more Japanese aircraft than any other USAAF plane with 1,857, with the P-40 running a close second at 1,633.5.
What were Spitfires weaknesses?
The big weakness was a propensity for the engine to cut out during a dive, which was ironed out in 1941. Its other weakness was a lack of stability in its base (again later corrected), which made it unsuitable for flight off aircraft carriers, as it tended to overshoot.
How many kills did the Spitfire have?
5,988 kills
So how many victories did the Spitfire get? By adding the uncounted scores, the RAF and Commonwealth Spitfires scored 5,988 kills. This puts the aircraft just ahead of the Mustang on 5599.
Did a Spitfire shoot down 262?
Credit for the first Me 262 shot down by gunfire belongs to five Canadian Spitfire IX pilots from No 401 Squadron RCAF on October 5th 1944.
Who shot down the most planes in the Battle of Britain?
In just 42 days 303 Squadron shot down 126 German planes, becoming the most successful Fighter Command unit in the Battle of Britain. Nine of the Squadron’s pilots qualified as ‘aces’ for shooting down 5 or more enemy planes, including Sergeant Josef Frantisek, a Czech flying with the Poles who scored 17 downed planes.
Why was the Spitfire better than the Luftwaffe?
The Mark I Spitfires, with their superior speed and agility, were sent up to shoot down German fighters. By the end of the battle the better organised RAF had defeated the Luftwaffe and downed 1,887 German planes.
What plane did German pilots fear the most?
They called it a ‘fork-tailed devil. ‘ Key point: The P-38 was a forerunner of modern multi-role fighters.
What was the deadliest fighter in ww2?
The most capable fighter of WWII was the American F4U-4 Corsair carrier-based fighter-bomber, designed and produced by Chance Vought. Between 1942 and 1953 more than 12,500 aircraft were manufactured. The fighter combined good maneuverability, very dangerous armament (six .
What happens if you touch a Spitfire?
You might feel the fear of death if you accidently came across a cluster of these gothic-looking grubs dribbling goop. But spitfires, their goop and the grown sawfly are harmless to people and animals.
How many kills did the Spitfire get in ww2?
Production was slow at first, but by September 1940 it was in service with 18 RAF squadrons. Spitfires shot down a total of 529 enemy aircraft, for a loss of 230 of their own.
Did the Spitfires fight zeros?
There were a small number of engagements between Spitfires and Zeroes. Spitfire pilots were well advised to use the same tactics used by other fighters in the Pacific when engaging Zeroes and avoid dogfighting with them.
What aircraft shot down the most?
On the American side: kills by American fighter pilots flown in US service. 1) In any single theater of oeprations, the top would be the F6F Hellcat, with 5,168 kills in the Pacific Thearter of Operations.
Who had more kills Spitfire or Hurricane?
The final proof is the Hurricane outscored the Spitfire in Battle of Britain kills. It was 55 %to the Hurricane versus 45% to the Spitfire. With the fog of propaganda now barely a mist, the truth of the Hurricane’s role in our victory can be fully appreciated.
Who was the best pilot in ww2?
Erich Alfred Hartmann
Erich Alfred Hartmann (19 April 1922 – 20 September 1993) was a German fighter pilot during World War II and the most successful fighter ace in the history of aerial warfare. He flew 1,404 combat missions and participated in aerial combat on 825 separate occasions.
Did the US ever shoot down Migs?
17 January 1993 – USAF F-16 vs. IRAF MiG-23 – A USAF F-16C shoots down a MiG-23 when the MiG locks the F-16 up.
Was an F-22 ever shot down?
However, despite all of its advanced specifications, the F-22 Raptor once got shot down by a fourth-gen fighter jet – Dassault’s Rafale.
Did a P51 shoot down a Me 262?
And, in a “Perfect Storm” inevitable collision, P51 Mustangs shot down 121 ME 262’s. There is a myth that P-51B/C/D Mustangs could only ambush the ME 262 while taking off and landing. On March 24, 1945, during a bomber formation attack at 25,000 ft the famous Tuskegee Airman (332nd Fighter Group) shot down 3 ME 262’s.
What was the bloodiest British Battle?
The Battle of Towton
The Battle of Towton on 29th March 1461 was possibly the largest and bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil.
What did German pilots think of the Spitfire?
The Germans didn’t think too highly of the Spitfire
When he flew the British aircraft, he was happy with their handling, but as an overall fighting machine, he didn’t rate them very highly.
Who shot down 5 planes in 30 seconds?
Air Commodore Muhammad Mahmood Alam SJ
Air Commodore Muhammad Mahmood Alam SJ & Bar SI(M) (Urdu: محمد محمود عالم; 6 July 1935 – 18 March 2013) was a Pakistani fighter pilot officially credited by the Pakistan Air Force with having downed five Indian jets in under a minute. He was a F-86 Sabre flying ace as per Pakistan Air Force records.