Special Sub-Topic: Fighters of WWII Click Here To Play: Fighters of WWII

This stubby monoplane had the first retractable landing gear of any monoplane. What was this airplane called?

Polikarpov I-16. The I-16 was a revolution when it first appeared in the mid 30's, however it was purely cannon-fodder for the hungry 109's and 190's of Operation Barbarossa. The I-16 was nicknamed the "Rata" by the Germans. Also the aircraft was difficult to fly because of its short fuselage.

What was France's most numerous fighter when the Germans invaded in May 1940?

M.S. 406. The Dewoitine had a top speed of 329 mph, one 20mm cannon, four 7.5mm machineguns and a ceiling of over 36,000 ft. However, there were not enough to halt the German tide. The M.S. 406 was France's most numerous fighter during 1940. It could be effective in the hands of an experienced pilot, but with an average pilot, it was no match for a Bf-109.

The Messerschmitt Komet was fast, very fast, it was in fact, uncatchable except during what time?

Gliding. The Komet could reach speeds of nearly 600 mph when climbing, so climbing and takeoff are out, and the Komet would contiue to fly at high speeds when attacking (also it was incredibly maneuverable), only after its fuel went out and it began to glide home was it vulnerable to our fighters

The fastest fighter of World War II was the Me 163 "Komet". The rocket motor made it fast but the tailess body made it even faster. Who was the designer of the tailess body?

Alexander Lippisch. The Me-163 had the best gliding characteristics of any fighter in the war with an astounding glide ratio. However, with the addition of an engine (rocket), everything changes. The propellants were very explosive, burned very rapidly, and were incredibly corrosive, there is one account of a pilot actually dissolving in his seat when the mixture was spilled on him!

Everybody knows about the A6M "Zero" fighter. However it was far from being Japan's most effective mass-produced fighter, what was the pick of Japan's litter?

KI-84 "Hayate". The "Frank" was the only Japanese fighter to establish parity with the American Corsairs, Hellcats, and Mustangs in the Pacific war. American pilots, for the first time in the Pacific couldn't just speed away to get out of a fight with a "Frank". However, the aircraft's engine suffered from numerous teething troubles which delayed its entry into service until it was too late.