Don’t leave out the Corsair. “best” is not just dogfighting - it’s the ability to perform its primary mission ‘best’ in theatre, whilst tackling additional roles with aplomb.
Since my dad flew Corsairs, I’ll put one vote in for it.
Oh no, not at all! : - D
It was however a mistake in the making when it was designed.
Your dad was a marine wasn't he?
The Corsair was designed to be a carrier plane (Navy) however it was too hard to land because of the long nose on it.
Of course you do know that that's why the wings are inverted gull shape so the landing gear struts were shorter and more stout for hard carrier landings and yet it was able to clear the ground with it's large propeller.
It was also the 1st aircraft to break 400MPH.
I used to know a retired 2 star admiral who had flown the Corsair in WW2, and later the F8 Crusader. He had high regard for goth planes.
I'm beginning to see it your way: http://home.att.net/~historyzone/F4U-4.html
Faster and more nimble than a P-51 D; tougher than a P-47; almost as maneuverable as the Sitpfire and P-38 (which were great planes for what they did).