Fastest prop aircraft of WWII

[jollygreen]

Somebody told me it was the Mosquito and another said it was the Westland Whirlwind but I can't find a definitve answer on t'internet.

I would have thought it was one of the photo recon spitfire's or perhaps one of the later FW190's...

[Zen]

Spitfire
In November 1944, the Air Fighting Development Unit had recommended that, because of the instability of the first F.21s, not only should the mark be withdrawn from service immediately but no more effort should be made to perpetuate the Spitfire family! Fortunately, the F.21's faults were rectified and both the Spitfire and the Seafire were further developed to the stage where they warranted new names - the Spiteful and the Seafang. These took the design of the Spitfire to its logical conclusion, the tail being enlarged, and the classic ellipitical wing replaced by a straight - taper laminar flow wing. Beautiful and fast though they were, the jet age had arrived with its potential of expanding performance still further, and thus a mere 17 Spitefuls and 18 Seafangs were built, only 11 of the latter actually flying. They were among the fastest propellor driven aircraft ever built, one recording a speed of 494mph.

[Scylax]

What a lovely informative answer, Zen.

For many years I have been under the misapprehension
that the wooden-framed Mosquito was the ultimate
'prop-job' for fast low-level sorties.

Spiteful and Seafire ? Well, we live and learn. Thank you.

[Elmek]

http://www.supermarine-spitfire.co.uk/the_spit eful.htm this might help. its got pictures of the seafang and spiteful

[jollygreen]

Brilliant answers chaps, thanks very much!!

[Zen]

More info........

http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question68040.h tml