The Best Biplane Fighter of WWII
In this section I will evaluate the best biplane fighter of WWII. They will be graded by speed, armament, climb rate, and manueverability. They will get points in each category, varying from 1 to 10. At the end, each individual plane's points will be added up, the one with the most points wins. You may disagree with my winner, but feel free to let me know about your choices and reasons why. I am always ready to learn more about airplanes! Here goes!
The Contestants:
Top left to right: Fiat C.R.32, Fiat C.R.42, and Avia B-534
Bottom left, Gloster Gladiator, Polikarpov I-153, and Curtiss Hawk III
Speed Category:
C.R.32
Speed: 220 mph
Points: 5
C.R.42
Speed: 267 mph
Points: 9
B-534
Speed: 252 mph
Points: 8
Gladiator
Speed: 257 mph
Points: 8
I-153
Speed: 280 mph
Points: 10
HawkIII
Speed: 240 mph
Points: 7
Armament:
The armaments were measured in milimetres and all the bore sizes added up. The highest number wins.
C.R.32
Armament: 2 x 12.7mm
Points: 7
C.R.42
Armament: 2 x 12.7mm
Points: 7
B-534
Armament: 4 x 7.7mm
Points: 10
Gladiator
Armament: 4 x 7.7mm
Points: 10
I-153
Armament: 4 x 7.62mm
Points: 9
Hawk III
Armament: 2 x 7.62mm
Points: 5
Climb Rate:
C.R.32
Climb: 1,667 fpm
Points: 5
C.R.42
Climb: 2,163 fpm
Points: 6
B-534
Climb: 2,933 fpm
Points: 9
Gladiator
Climb: 2,222 fpm
Points: 7
I-153
Climb: 3,279 fpm
Points: 10
Hawk III
Climb: 2,200 fpm
Points: 7
Manueverability
C.R.32
Points: 8
C.R.42
Points: 8
B-534
Points: 7
Gladiator
Points: 9
I-153
Points: 10
Hawk III
Points: 6
Totals:
C.R.32
25
C.R.42
30
B-534
34
Gladiator
34
I-153
39
Hawk III
25
The Winner!!:
The Polikarpov I-153, King of the I-15 series, with 39 Points!
