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.
Which 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. Even though the F6F did not start reaching Naval and Marine units in the Pacific until late 1943, once it did it came in prodigious numbers.
How many kills did the Spitfire get?
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 the Hurricane shoot down more planes than the Spitfire?
The Hurricanes made an outsized contribution to the battle itself. More than half of the nearly 1,200 German aircraft shot down were by Hurricanes, but its impact has tended to fade into the background compared to the more graceful Spitfire. “The Spitfire had mystique about it,” Beaver says.
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.
33 related questions foundIs Spitfire better than BF 109?
The Bf 109 was arguably the best fighter in the world in 1940. It was faster than the Spitfire at high altitude, could dive more rapidly and carried a more effective armament of two cannon and two machine guns.
What was better Spitfire or Messerschmitt?
Similar to the case of the Hurricane the Spitfire was superior to the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter in a dogfight, since it had considerably better turning ability than its German arch rival.
How many seconds of ammo did a Spitfire have?
The armament
Total weight of projectiles fired was 1.8 kg (4 lb) per second. Ammunition capacity was enough for 16 seconds continuous firing in the Spitfire, slightly more in the Hurricane.
Is a Hurricane bigger than a Spitfire?
Both aircraft are the same height, with the Hurricane being only mildly longer and wider. The Spitfire is noticeably faster than the Hurricane, although, sacrifices range for speed. On top of this, the Spitfire has a slightly higher service ceiling, although, this doesn't make much of a difference.
How far can a Spitfire glide without fuel?
About the Gliding Scene - Spitfire planes could glide for 15 miles.
How many Spitfires were shot down in the Battle of Britain?
By the time the Battle officially ended, 326 Spitfires had been lost, 76 'struck off charge' and 589 were damaged. However, 808 Spitfires entered service during the Battle, including some of the damaged ones repaired at factories such as the Morris Motors Cowley complex in Oxford.
Who shot down the most German planes in ww2?
A new book examines the life of the WWII German ace. Luftwaffe fighter pilot Erich Hartmann was exceedingly good at aerial combat. While serving in Germany's Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills.
Was the Spitfire the best plane in ww2?
A symbol of victory. The Spitfire is the most famous plane of World War Two. Its groundbreaking design and superior specifications gave the British a decisive advantage fighting the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. But early models were often cruelly exposed in head-to-head duels with the enemy.
How many Mustangs were shot down in ww2?
By 8 May 1945, the 8th, 9th, and 15th Air Force's P-51 groups claimed some 4,950 aircraft shot down (about half of all USAAF claims in the European theater, the most claimed by any Allied fighter in air-to-air combat) and 4,131 destroyed on the ground. Losses were about 2,520 aircraft.
Was the b24 better than the B 17?
The B-24 was a faster plane having a greater range and payload capacity. However, in the ETO, the B-24 operated with the B-17 which constrained the aircraft's operating speed. The B17 was a sedate aircraft and placed fewer demands on the flight deck crew.
Which was better p51 or Spitfire?
In most cases, the Spitfire had better performance as an all-purpose fighter. The all-important climb rate for a P51D sat at 3200ft per minute whilst the Spitfire could climb at an impressive 3650ft per minute. The maximum speed of a P51D was 437mph whilst the Spitfire was slightly faster at 448mph.
How long could a Spitfire fire its guns?
The Spitfire could fire between 17 and 18 seconds as its guns had been fired three hundred fifty times each. An actual amount of about 10 to 20 seconds, but it might be around four or five minutes in total.
Who has the best planes in WW2?
The 8 Best, Most Famous Aircraft of WWII
- Supermarine Spitfire (UK)
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 (Germany)
- North American P-51 Mustang (USA)
- Mitsubishi A6M Zero (Japan)
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress (USA)
- De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito (U.K.)
- Focke-Wulf FW-190 (Germany)
- Dewoitine D-520 (France)
Who has the best fighter planes in WW2?
North American P-51 Mustang
The number 1 is no surprise: the North American P-51 Mustang. Often and usually considered the best fighter of the war, the P-51 was a game-changer for Allied forces. Employed as a long-range bomber escort, the P-51 was unmatched by German planes, especially at high altitudes.
How much ammo did a p47 carry?
The P-47 was one of the toughest Allied planes during WWII and had the most firepower from its eight . 50 caliber guns in its wings (3,400 rounds.) It was even more effective as a ground attack aircraft; it was capable of carrying as much as 3,000 pounds of external ordnance.
How much ammo did a p40 carry?
The most obvious visual change saw the radiators moved forward, giving the aircraft its familiar “shark mouth” appearance. The amount of ammunition carried was increased to 615 rounds per gun. The P-40D could carry one 500lb bomb under the fuselage.
How much ammo did ww2 planes carry?
A Zero carried 60 rounds of 20mm rounds on each wing and roughly 1200 7.7mm machine gun ammo. Typically 7.7 is not very good against other flying machines so the 120 rounds of 20mm were used in dogfights.
How many planes did Germany lose in the Battle of Britain?
Both sides lost heavily during the Battle of Britain. More than 1700 Luftwaffe (German air force) planes were destroyed. The 2662 German casualties included many experienced aircrew, and the Luftwaffe never fully recovered from the reverse it suffered in August-October 1940.
How many planes did Germany lose in WW2?
After the defeat of Germany, the Luftwaffe was disbanded in 1946. During World War II, German pilots claimed roughly 70,000 aerial victories, while over 75,000 Luftwaffe aircraft were destroyed or significantly damaged. Of these, nearly 40,000 were lost entirely.
