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Some apples and oranges.

ME-109 was early war, so was Zero.

P-51 was later as was Corsair. They were absolutely better planes.

Better German comparison would be Fw 190. An excellent machine.

The Japanese never really fielded any other fighters in enough numbers to be competitive.

It’s interesting to note that the Supermarine Spitfire was competitive all through the war.

I think the P51 and the Corsair as they were still used going into the Korean War. However, the Messerschmitt 109 was still being used into the 1950's by Israel and some other nations. The Spitfire was better than the 109, even though it used the same engine as the P51, the P51 airframe made it better for speed and long range.

You could also say the Japanese Zero was the best at the beginning of the war in the Pacific.

Then you could say the ME-262 jet was the best toward the end of the war in Germany.

But for shear numbers that were produced, and being better than the existing rivals, the P51 and the Corsair. Just MHO.

I had an uncle who flew dive bombers in WWII in the Pacific for the Marines. Bombed islands being taken by marines across the Pacific. Had another uncle who was a tail gunner in a B-17 on bombing runs into Germany. He got the flu one time when he was to make a bombing run, and had a replacement. The replacement was killed. My father was a mechanic in the 3rd army keeping up with Patton. He had his best friends face blown on in the Battle of the Bulge. He said he was in Czechoslovakia when the war ended facing Russians. I wish I had spent more time asking them to tell war stories. Dad wouldn't watch a war movie and would go outside and smoke cigarettes if one was on.

My grandfather was in WWI but was stationed in various places in the US because he had flat feet. One time he had to take about 20 horses from Auburn University vet school to Ft. Benning, Ga, about 30 miles. My mother said they lived in Auburn in the country at that time, and my grandfather left early one morning riding one horse leading all the others. He delivered them, and they gave him a train ticket back to Auburn. He got home that same night. Today you can drive it in 30-45 minutes one way. My mother said she was born in a farmhouse on Donahue St across from where the football stadium is now. House is long gone, but my mother is still alive and is 88. She tells stories of growing up in the Depression and WWII.

Sorry to hijack the thread about the WWII era.

My grandfather was in WWI but was stationed in various places in the US because he had flat feet. One time he had to take about 20 horses from Auburn University vet school to Ft. Benning, Ga, about 30 miles. My mother said they lived in Auburn in the country at that time, and my grandfather left early one morning riding one horse leading all the others. He delivered them, and they gave him a train ticket back to Auburn. He got home that same night. Today you can drive it in 30-45 minutes one way. My mother said she was born in a farmhouse on Donahue St across from where the football stadium is now. House is long gone, but my mother is still alive and is 88. She tells stories of growing up in the Depression and WWII.

The Japanese lost a lot of veteran pilots at the Battle of Midway. They never recovered. Our production and training capability totally out classed them.

P-51D

But the P-47 was a real brawler. It was much bigger and heavier than most fighter planes of the era but it was still very fast. Those who flew it long enough to learn tactics which took advantage of its strengths became very effective.

The story of the 56th Fighter Group is interesting.

http://www.donhollway.com/wolfpack/