When was the last propeller dogfight?

Question

I was looking for propeller fighter planes still used in the military but couldn't find much since Jets seem to have replaced all but the Cargo propeller aircraft.

So is there any propeller aircraft still used for combat purposes? And if not, does anyone know when the last recorded propeller dogfight took place?

Answer 1

Vietnam

Answer 2

The last time an American small-propeller aircraft shot down an enemy aircraft was likely Vietnam.  There were two I have heard of from the early days of the conflict in which MiG-17's were shot down by A-1H Skyraiders (the Sandy's).  However, if these were actual dogfights and more like a pouncing or lucky shot, that is another issue.  The A-1H, while the size of the old WWII fighter planes, was an attack aircraft and the MiG-17's were true fighter aircraft that could fly well past Mach 1.

When the P-51 Mustangs and other prop-fighters went up against German jet fighters at the end of WWII, the only real time the German jets could be taken out is when they were landing (and they needed to refuel often) or taking off, their most vunerable position.  Once in the air, they were more than formidable.

The military still uses propeller aircraft, large, medium, and small for many different reasons.  The C-130 Hercs are used from everything from logitics (troops, cargo, etc) carriers to hurricane chasers.  They have also been modified ever since they were introduced as gun platforms, the AC-130 Spectres can provide accurate danger-close air support or just level a city being that it has 20mm gatling guns, 105mm Howitzers (those are basically the same canons mounted on the US main battle tanks), and some should have a 40mm grenade launcher.

Answer 3

  

  During the Korean war, circa 1952.

  The Americans also used Props. in Viet Nam for strafing and bombing, but not for dog-fighting.

Answer 4

Prop fighters were used in the "soccer war" between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969.

Answer 5

The MQ-9 Reaper and the MQ-1 Predator UAV are prop driven and used in the air to ground attack role currently.  There is a C-130 version used for ground attack called the AC-130 that is still used to blow the c**p out of bad guys.  but as far as dogfighters there aren't any more, and I believe Vietnam was the last time a prop plane shot down another plane.

Answer 6

Don't know what year it was but a Douglas A-1H Skyraider is known to have shot down a North Vietnamese Mig jet fighter in the Vietnam conflict/war/intervention/police action.  

Answer 7

South American, African, and Middle Eastern countries had prop fighters into the 1970's and were on an equal footing with each other while the rest of the world was flying jets.... and now they are flying old jets... STILL... I saw a pair of T-33's in some crazy place such as Uraguay and they were still being used for training current day pilots... good grief....  It would not surprise me if there were still P-51's or something similar being used in some of the more remote countrys that no one ever hears about... and considering the revival of "scoop bottomed money gobbler"   there were how many at the last big show... over 50 Mustangs ??? largest gathering since WW II... amazing. Thank the internet and CNC machining... you can build the silly things from the ground up.

Answer 8

History Television in Canada has a series on dogfights starting with World War 1 bi-planes up to the jet age. I have watched many of these shows and have found them to be well done and very educational. The following is a description of one of these shows about Vietnam.

DOGFIGHTS II | Gun Kills of Vietnam

The missile age has dawned over the skies of Vietnam and the era of conventional dogfighting is thought to be over. However, the missiles of the F-4 Phantom proved ineffective during close-in turning fights with agile MiG fighters, exemplifying the need for guns in modern air combat. Watch as A-1H Skyraider pilots pit their prop-driven workhorses against a lethal jet-powered MiG-17. Viewers will feel like they're in the battle facing the enemy with state-of-the-art computer graphics, rare archival footage and first-hand accounts driving the story.  

Answer 9

the don't have fighter prop planes but they still use planes like c-130s    http://op-for.com/C130.jpg

Answer 10

Last dogfight - Korean war.

The US still uses the C131 large prop plane, not for dogfighting, for strafing.

Answer 11

The first part of your question is Vietnam.  Some A1 Skyraiders engaged MiG17s (which are/were totally SUBSONIC BTW).  

It seems many people are under the erroneous impression that airlift is not a "combat mission".  Tactical airlift is certainly that.  These are some of the current propeller-driven (turboprop to be correct) aircraft in the US inventory:

E2 Hawkeye

C130/HC130/AC130/MC130/KC130

CV22 Osprey

RC12

The new Army/AF light tactical transport is a turboprop

MQ1 Predator UAV

MQ9 Reaper UAV

Warrior AKA ERMP UAV