For me, I would want to fly just about anything that flew prior to about 1945. There were just so many good airplanes from that time period it would be hard to chose.
As soon as Waco finishes that time machine, I think we have a trip back to that era planned!
Probably the highest performing prop plane ever built. Too bad it never saw combat. The twin engined F7F Tigercat was apparently pretty badass as well and there is a story of Navy fighter ace Alex Varciu, 19 kills, taking a flight in his F8F Bearcat one day and seeing an F7F below him. He thought it an easy kill so he jumped it only to realize the pilot was his equal and they fought to a draw. The pilot was the Marine Corps first ace, Marion Carl, with 18.5 kills to his name.
Rumor has it that the Bearcat was heavily influenced by the FW190, which of course only makes it more badass. As for the Tigercat, without question also an incredible performer, but with unit costs something like 1 2/3s those of a Bearcat, and (on paper at least) still (slightly) inferior performance (certainly in roll with all that weight out there on the wings), the crown must go to the Bear. Big (ok, huge) engine, little wings, big guns. Check plus.
PS. I also read a story long ago (no idea where) about an F8F "chancing" upon a couple of P-51Ms (or Hs, can't remember...one of the stripped down upengined postwar screamers) and handing them BOTH their lunch.
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