Ki-84 "Frank"

**war hawk** · 12-10-2008, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by Kyt

As they always say, the aircraft is only as good as its pilot. It should also be remembered that the Mustang wasn't that widely used in the Pacific and so a direct comparison is difficult because it's use has to be analysed within the context of the ever decreasing quality of the Japanese pilots as the war progressed, as well as the fact that it was an extremely complicated machine and the standards of production were slipping daily.

Your right the aircraft is only as good as the pilot.

**Antipodean Andy** · 12-10-2008, 05:11 PM

Well, the Corsair was certainly helped in the speed stakes by the way the wings attached to the fuselage - a design bonus as it were as the wings were a result of wanting a necessarily short and strong undercarriage while still having enough height to mount that massive prop on the R1830.

**Nostalgair** · 12-10-2008, 07:40 PM

Hi All,

Yes, the aircraft is only as good as the pilot. However, head to head, it's worth remembering that some aircraft can make up a fair bit of difference as well.

Technological advantages can make a huge difference. The superior pilot will often still be able to 'mix it' with them, but the point comes where the gap is too great.

Cheers

Owen

**war hawk** · 12-11-2008, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by Nostalgair

Hi All,

Yes, the aircraft is only as good as the pilot. However, head to head, it's worth remembering that some aircraft can make up a fair bit of difference as well.

Technological advantages can make a huge difference. The superior pilot will often still be able to 'mix it' with them, but the point comes where the gap is too great.

Cheers

Owen

You people on here make good points

And I must agree again

**Antipodean Andy** · 12-11-2008, 05:09 PM

Thanks for your prompts, WH. Nothing like a good discussion.

**war hawk** · 12-12-2008, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Antipodean Andy

Thanks for your prompts, WH. Nothing like a good discussion.

I agree nothing like a good discussion.

**muscogeemike** · 07-31-2009, 09:10 AM

I know this is an old thread but I'v been away.
A great example of pilot expience is Suburo Sakia, flying an A6M "Zero" over Iwo Jima in early 1945, engaging 15 F6F Hellcats and excaping without a single bullet hole in his plane.
Re: Buffalo, I'v read interviews with Finnish pilots who are adamant that they didn't fly "Buffalo's" but rather the B-239, an earlier and much lighter aircraft, though without what we would consider essential safety features (self-sealing fuel tanks, pilot armor, etc.)
Re: P-39 Airacobra, I'v always thought this plane has been un-fairly treated by history. It was designed as a low level tactical support fighter, not a high altitude interceptor. In its intended role it performed well.

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