[Goldsborough]

That difference of opinion over the Jug and the Mustang is why I believe such discussions are ultimately pointless.

The F6F Hellcat is what killed off the majority of enemy pilots in the PTO, but it never looked as glamorous as the F4U and the P-38 while doing it.

Meanwhile, the P-38 was largely a disappointment in the ETO despite being the USAAF's weapon of choice in the PTO.

What you get in such discussions is a dialogue where proponents talk past one another. The USAAF in the ETO faced a very different foe in the energy fighting Me-109, FW-190, and Me-262, than the USAAF faced in the PTO against various Japanese turn fighters.

The USN, after the Wildcat was relegated to the second string, had aircraft specifically designed to destroy the Mitsubishi Zero and these craft never squared off with the Luftwaffe.

The RAF and its colonial counterparts in the Pacific had a similarly disparate experience. So, "best" discussions are never going to arrive at an actual best aircraft. There were several bests.

[Loud Mime]

So, "best" discussions are never going to arrive at an actual best aircraft. There were several bests.

Yes, discussions like these are like judging College Football teams. But they are so much fun!!

[EGPWS]

There were several bests.

Yep, however the most profound in ending the war was the Mustang. Even Gehring stated such.

[Plutarch]

The Hellcat never squared off with the Luftwaffe.

Actually, Hellcats were used in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France, from carriers such as the USS Tulagi and there saw action against the Luftwaffe .

F6F-5 8 flown by Ens Alred R. Wood & Ens Edward W. Olszewski of VOF-1, USS Tulagi, August 1944