Who knows their WW2 twin-engine aircraft?

Question

OK lets hear some opinions. I'm asking you to nominate the most versatile twin-engined aircraft to fly in WW2. The only criteria is that is must have only 2 engines. The more effective in the more roles then the more points it gets. Lets hear some opinions. Do you vote for Beaufighter, or P-38 Lightning, or Russian Pe-2, or German JU-88 or A-20 Havoc. I'm sure someone will vote the Mosquito...

Name any twin you like.

This is just a curiousity thing. I like hearing the opinions. Best explanation will get 10 pts.

Answer 1

The PBY was, given my preference for air cooled engines, a versatile aircraft. From submarine hunting, to bombing, to search and rescue, the PBY was an invaluable aircraft during the war.

DC-2 and DC-3's served an invaluable role in delivering paratroopers and supplies with an incredible short field ability in the hands of a skilled pilot.

The Beech 18 also served many roles under several different designations. It was primarily a training aircraft, (bombing, instrument,) but it's mission reliability and the number still flying speaks well of it.

Fly the (not  so at the time,) Friendly Skies!

JT

Answer 2

in my opinion, the two most versatile twin engined aircraft of WW ll are the mosquito and the B25. the mosquito was fast, carried a decent bomb load, and made a good ground attack plane, and had an excellent combat record.

that said, i would give the over all edge to the B25. it was also a fast plane, carried a decent bomb load, and made a decent ground attack plane as well, but when they started adding .50cal machine guns to the nose of the plane, 8 normally but as many as 12 forward facing guns in some configurations, and even a 75mm cannon on a few planes, you now have an aircraft that can sink a destroyer WITHOUT using a bomb. you also had a medium bomber that had enough maneuverability, when relieved of its bomb load, to take on the fighters and not do too badly.

Answer 3

The Ju-88 has to be the most versatile twin engine prop aircraft ever. In its various versions it was a bomber, a ultra high altitude recon platform, a tank destroyer (75mm gun), mail plane, bomber destroyer, and most importantly a night fighter. It was used for a longer time than any other bomber involved in WW2, and was potent to the last day. The late war models were capable of 400mph and 45k feet, a very impressive feat for any a prop aircraft.

Answer 4

Personally I'd have to go with the B-25 Mitchell. Between all the different variants and tactics it was used for almost every form of ground attack mission devised by man up to that point. They used it for strategic attacks, logistical attacks, troop concentrations, anti shipping, airfield attacks and even some limited dive bombing. Besides, how can you not like an aircraft with a 75mm howitzer in the nose?

Answer 5

Ju 88.

like Dogzilla wrote, this plane saw almost entire WWII, fought all   /German/ frontlines, and experienced nearly all types of missions.

To the misions NOT performed by Mosquito: Mistel drones based on the Ju-88, tank busting, and I believe that the Ju 88 were delivering the very first guided munitions against critical bridges f the Eastern front, as well.

Answer 6

My favorite: Grumman F7F Tigercat. Here's why: 400kts, 4 fifty calibers, 4 20mm, 2 1000lb bombs. Max range 1200mi, service ceiling 40k ft. Its just d**n s**y too.

Answer 7

The DC-3 fo cargo, PAXs and all around work hourse,  Mosquito for speed, fighting ability, bomb carrying ability and all around fighting

Answer 8

The P38 is my choice. It was fast and had lots of fire power. It could out manouver mosy others. The enemy hated to see this craft coming at them!!

Answer 9

I'd probably vote for the Mosquito. Lots of speed, very versatile, deadly, and cheap to produce being made out of wood. Not real tough though, a few rounds would take it out but a great airplane.

I like the P-38 a lot too. Once some of the bugs were worked out and it found its role, it was a heck of a warbird.

Answer 10

The North American B-25 Mitchell . Ubiquitous and versatile. I doubt any other twin has as impressive a record. It was safe and easy to handle on one engine (how many other twins can do a 60 degree bank into the dead engine?) so it was even used for pilot training . It operated in every theater of the war from the Aleutians to Africa, Europe to the Orient, and everywhere in between.  It was flown by the US, British, Canadian, Russians Dutch, Brazilian and Aussie Air Forces. It was produced in larger numbers than any other twin-engine bomber. It was the only twin engined bomber to fly off a carrier in WWII (Doolittle raid). It was modified to carry the widest array of armament of any aircraft and it saw a wider variety of missions than any other multi-engine aircraft. Missions included high altitude conventional bombing, tree-top level strafing, skip bombing, and para-fragging, long range patrol and VIP transport, tank busting, anti-shipping, utility transport and para-supply, casualty evacuation, target towing,  and radar interception. Able to carry 3,200# of bombs 1,500 miles, and up to 5,000# on shorter trips. Besides high explosive bombs and incendiaries, B-25's were fitted to carry torpedoes, anti-shipping mines, depth charges, rockets, 75mm cannon (largest caliber weapon operationally used on any aircraft). The B-25J "solid-nose" variant packed eighteen 50 caliber machine guns (no other aircraft carried as many) and 5,600 rounds of ammunition. It was an extremely durable and rugged aircraft, able to withstand punishment few others could take. Read about the famous "Patches" , a B-25 that flew 300 missions, survived 6 gear-up landings and received over 400 bullet and flak holes.   Yup. The B-25 is my choice.

Answer 11

I'd have to go with the Douglas DC-3, (military designation C-47)  When you consider that the aircraft was designed in the late 1930's as a passenger aircraft and many of them are still in service today, in both military and civilian roles, and many different variations, it has to take the all-time prize for utility and longevity.

Answer 12

I cant believe these answers. The p-38 was the best twin of all. It was one of the best fighters in the pacific war, and it could carry a pretty large load of bombs as well. Nothing was a jack of the trades as much as the P-38 Lightning, especially with the supercharges... Or was it the turbocharges... I forget...