Which Bomber was best (hee hee hee)

[Smoke2much]

I have left three options open for people to add others and I have only included British and American Medium/Heavy bombers.

When Voting please consider the following;

Looks
Survivability
Impact on war effort
Handling


Thankyou

[ozzy72]

The Lancaster, tough and versatile. It eventually led to the Shackleton which was Britains last front line prop driven aircraft (and only retired a few years ago!).
Oh and it had 4 Merlin engines, 'nuff said

Ozzy

[Sock]

I can't believe I'm saying this but the Lancaster.    It could fly father and carry a bigger load than the B-17.  Although it wasn't armered as well, but hell, it flew at night.  It would not break up as easily or the fuel would not leek like in the B-24.  And nothin' sounds as pretty as a Merlin.  

[Woodlouse2002]

No contest! Lancaster!!!

[RichieB16]

I'm saying the B-17.  Sure, she couldn't fly the farthest or carry the heavest load but it had an incredably successiful career.  And when it came down to bringing the crew home and taking damage, no other aircraft comes close.

[Rifleman]

These are very limiting choices .........I might think more along the lines of the Hustler, but then, its not in your list   :-/    

[Tequila Sunrise]

The lanc and Wellington could take a fair beating as well. After the introduction of radar to Brittish bombers the RAF was able to bomb more accuratly at night than the USAAC could in daylight with the Norden. And then theres the Lancs adaptability to carry "special weapons"
ie "Grandslam" and the bouncing bomb.
I'll vote for the Lanc but the B-29 is noticably missing, though I'd probably still vote Lancaster .

[HawkerTempest5]

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=photos;action=display;num=1033543100

Could it be anything else?

[Smoke2much]

[quote]These are very limiting choices .........I might think more along the lines of the Hustler, but then, its not in your list

[Ivan]

Lancaster

For modern ones (because you mention WAS)
The BUFF, and still going strong after 40 years

[visitor]

The BUFF, and still going strong after 40 years

50 years?

I heard they hope to have them all out of service
By    :o  2027    :o


Brad

[Hagar]

From the list I would have to choose the Lanc.
Will. I think it would have been better to narrow it down a bit. Maybe Best WWII heavy bomber.
As the Hustler is included what about the good old Canberra, the jet equivalent of the Mossie. At one time no fighter could get anywhere near it.

Canberra B.2
Speed : 620mph
Service Ceiling : 45-50,000ft
Range : 3,000 miles (with tip tanks)
Armament : 6 x 1,000lb bombs (internal)
2 x 1,000lb bombs (on wing pylons)
First Flight : 13 May 1949

I believe a few examples are still in service today, over 50 years after its first flight. http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~lesb/canberra.html

[visitor]

good old Canberra,

One of the most beautiful aircraft ever
built, I wish we had a sim. model, if just
to look at!!

Brad

[Professor Brensec]

I voted for the Lanc, for the reasons already given by the other blokes.
But if the B29 was on the list, I would have to go for it.

20,000 lbs load, 4000 mile range, could outrun or 'over fly' most fighters, could fly higher than highest flak (correct me if wrong) radar controlled MG's and cannon. What more could you want from WWII bomber?

Pretty much invincible. It certainly made a terrible mess of Japan, before the A-bomb.

[Scorpiоn]

The B-29 should definetly be in there.  I vote Lancaster though, the B-17 is pretty, but it's not what I'd want to do any serious bombing with.  Besides, what's the most famous strike of World War II?  The Dambusters.