Quote Originally Posted by Venture92D View Post
My opinion is the F6F Hellcat was the best fighter of WWII. I think it made more aces than any other aircraft, recorded the most kills as well. The Navy planes are what really won the war so imho the best fighter should be a Navy aircraft.
About 20 years ago, there was a memorable volunteer tour guide at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola. He was a short, cocky gent with a big handlebar mustache. Said that he flew SBD's in the big one. He had a group visiting from Japan among his crowd. He pointed to one of the F6F's and said "This plane shot down 9 for each F6F that YOU guys shot down." Then he pointed to the F4U and said "That one got 11 for each one that you got.

The visitors took it stoicly and politely.