Yes, it's another one of my "worst" threads. I feel that they are not only entertaining but they also uncover a lot of fascinating and useful bits of information I'd never heard of.
So, we are looking at the worst ground attack aircraft of the Second World War. It can be single engined or a twin. The only provisos are that it needed to have had a production run of at least 50 aircraft, to have been designed primarily for ground attack and to have actually seen combat.
The thread is for examining issues like lack of power, aerodynamic deficiencies, vulnerability to flak or fighters (or both) and inability to carry out its mission even in the face of limited opposition.
I'll start out with two suggestions.
The Breda 88. A world record breaker before the war, but by the time it was delivered to combat units the weight had grown so much that it became a liability. Desert sand filters were the final straw, and made it difficult for the aircraft to even turn, never mind fight.
They ended their short, inglorious career as decoys to fool Allied photo intelligence.
The Loire Nieuport LN401 series. Used by both the French Air Force and Navy, it was a dive bomber which was low, slow, unstable and underpowered. Its 690 HP Hispano Suiza V-12 tended to burn oil at an alarming rate if pushed. It was slower than a Ju87B, without having a gunner to guard the tail. They saw combat during the invasion of France, but most photos you'll see look like this.
So, there are my suggestions. Knock yourselves out.
So, we are looking at the worst ground attack aircraft of the Second World War. It can be single engined or a twin. The only provisos are that it needed to have had a production run of at least 50 aircraft, to have been designed primarily for ground attack and to have actually seen combat.
The thread is for examining issues like lack of power, aerodynamic deficiencies, vulnerability to flak or fighters (or both) and inability to carry out its mission even in the face of limited opposition.
I'll start out with two suggestions.
The Breda 88. A world record breaker before the war, but by the time it was delivered to combat units the weight had grown so much that it became a liability. Desert sand filters were the final straw, and made it difficult for the aircraft to even turn, never mind fight.
They ended their short, inglorious career as decoys to fool Allied photo intelligence.
The Loire Nieuport LN401 series. Used by both the French Air Force and Navy, it was a dive bomber which was low, slow, unstable and underpowered. Its 690 HP Hispano Suiza V-12 tended to burn oil at an alarming rate if pushed. It was slower than a Ju87B, without having a gunner to guard the tail. They saw combat during the invasion of France, but most photos you'll see look like this.
So, there are my suggestions. Knock yourselves out.
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