The best aircraft of the Second World War: Soviet and German fighters

Almost 70 years have passed since the Great Patriotic War, and memories to this day do not let the inhabitants of Russia. In wartime, the main weapons against the enemy were Soviet fighters. In the sky most often hovered I-16 fighters, which among themselves called the donkey. At the beginning of the war in the west of the country this model aircraft was more than 40 percent. For a while this was the best aircraft of the Second World War. Developed fighters known aircraft designer Polikarpov, providing for the cleaning of the chassis.

It was the first aircraft in the world with retractable landing gear. Most of the I-16 is made of duralumin, a very light material. Every year the model of this fighter was improved, the hull was strengthened, a more powerful engine was installed, the steering was changed. In the plane, the fuselage consisted entirely of wood, iron beams, and was lined with duralumin plates.

The main enemy of the Soviet WWII I-16 fighter was the Messerschmitt Bf 109. It was made entirely of steel, the chassis was retracted, a powerful engine - the Führer's iron bird - the best German military aircraft of the Second World War.

Developers of the Soviet and German fighter models tried to develop a high speed and active takeoff in the plane, but paid little attention to maneuverability and stability, so many pilots died without coping with the management.

Soviet aircraft designer Polikarpov worked on reducing the size of the aircraft and relieving its weight. The machine turned out to be short and rounded in front. Polikarpov was sure that with a smaller mass of the aircraft, his maneuverability would improve. The length of the wing did not change, before there were no flaps and shields. The pilot's cabin was small, the pilot had a poor view, it was uncomfortable to aim, the ammunition consumption increased. Of course, such a fighter could no longer win the title of "The best aircraft of World War II."

German aircraft designers were the first to use the liquid-cooled engine in the manufacture of a winged car, which allowed it to maintain good maneuverability and speed. The front of the aircraft remained elongated and well streamlined. It was the best aircraft of World War II from Germany. However, the motor became more vulnerable than before, in previous versions.

Of course, the German fighters of the Second World War with powerful engines and aerodynamic shape surpassed Soviet analogues in speed, accuracy and flight altitude. The features of the German aircraft gave an additional trump card to the enemy's hands, the pilots could attack not only in the forehead or behind, but also from above, and then again rise into the clouds, hiding from Soviet pilots. Pilots I-16 had to be defended exclusively, there could be no talk of an active attack - too unequal forces.

Another advantage of German technology was communication. All the planes were equipped with radio stations, which allowed the pilots to negotiate the tactics of attacking Soviet fighters and warn of the danger. In some domestic models, radio stations were installed, but it was almost impossible to use them because of a poor signal and poor quality equipment. But nevertheless for our pilots-patriots I-16 was the best aircraft of the Second World War.