Best Aircraft For Dogfight

Dogfights are the bread and butter of air combat. In order to win a dogfight, both the pilot and the plane should be up to snuff: the former has to employ clever tactics, and the latter should have good enough characteristics to allow the pilot to pull them off. That’s right: today we’re going to discuss the best piston-engined dogfighters, from the humble I-16 to the lightning-quick Spitfire.
Subtitles are available in the following languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Polish, Turkish, Chinese, Portuguese.
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[@Saki-yukkuri-ch]

I like Zero Fighter and Hayabusa the most. Is the weak bulletproof performance a weakness? No, it's not a weakness because the aircraft has the ability to avoid everything! (This comment has been censored by Imperial Headquarters lol)

[@shpagin3494]

Hayabusa is so fun, nothing can turnfight this thing ahah!

[@tianhaoju4634]

If I were to pick a mid-tier(3.0 to 4.7) fighter, no doubt it will be the F Mk.IX. It is lovely. Additionally I do really like the C.205 Serie 3 with that hell of a skin.

[@mxy-7ohka413]

Guys, if you want a plane that can turn as fast as a japanese one, take the Re.2000 Serie 1. This thing can turn as fast as the Ki 43. The only problems with it are the engine overheating and lackluster roll rate.

[@garry9583]

Don't add those October changes Gaijin, backing off your word

[@1K_No_Content]

The br changes?

[@Endermann111]

​@@1K_No_Contentyes exacty those. They really arent good. They basically turn the brs into what it was before the decompression

[@Anonymous-hv9yw]

​@@Endermann111yeah but certain tanks just cant fight in the current BRs and that then causes chaos as Gaijin tries to lower certain other vehicles BR because they cant fight the ones that have been lowered.

[@chaosinsurgency6636]

@@Anonymous-hv9ywthe air br changes are compressing BRs compressing the BRs doesnt solve anything

[@THEBLUETIGER911]

In a pure low altitude turn-fight a Zero of course but in any other scenario give me the Spitfire, Friedrich. They will crush anything when other flight performance factors are added into the equation. Yak-3 would also be here if it could stand higher dive speeds

[@Ko_Kasumi]

You really got to be careful at altitude sometimes, as while the zeros won't get ya as easy up there, the J2Ms are absolutely devastating.

[@sule.A]

I like zeros better at mid alt

[@PhantomViper49]

@@Ko_Kasumi J2Ms are deadly, better than the zero I think.

[@rocketcello5354]

My fav turnfighter is the I-153. Insane low speed acceleration, can turn on a dime, and with a pretty decent climb rate to boot.

[@wintermoon9181]

Na, ki 21 solos all

[@rocketcello5354]

@wintermoon9181 ki-21 is good too, just has peashooters for weapons.

[@ThunderHunter2019]

The Premium Chika literary has 2 20mm cannons that shred Armored AA guns, and a 1 second burst can send bombers or Fighter to the Hanger.

[@calebshaff]

I love the 3.3 i-16

[@misterthemad994]

Try the Ki-43-II, not the Ki-43-I, not the Ki-43-III, the Ki-43-II, it's a demon.

[@animotion560]

B-17 is by far the best turnfighter in the game

[@SIeepyBull]

the B-29 is a close second

[@meepy2739]

BV 238 on a ramming spree

[@bndhidorahonewhismany6436]

ME-264 is pretty close

[@adriencoudert1083]

Panavia Tornado and F104 are the best by far imo

[@user-ot1eb6mt4k]

If you have 40 acres, maybe.

[@fuso8639]

Ki-43-I is my choice for dogfigthing It can turn better than the Zero when using landing flaps while also maintaining a bit of speed. Just the enough. However the armament is poor I once remember it bringing it into a 5.0 battle and scoring 8 kills in the match (which i sent replay in thundershow but didnt got pick :/ and is already late since it was 2 updates ago when i performed this) And in its BR. So many people understimate it because they think of the Ki-43 as an extremely vulnerable plane with no guns and they are right. Untill they make the mistake of engaging and start to turn

[@Xer0280]

I've flown the zero, but I've found it really difficult to aim correctly with the KI 43...

[@fuso8639]

@@Xer0280 my advice is that Ki-43 model 1 its one of the low tier kings in dogfights you can get behind the enemy figther and spray bullets or you can just keep in him in front of you untill he runs out of energy and becomes an easier target then it should be a short burst. the plane exceeds in 1v1. When theres more planes involved then its more difficult. I've managed to come unharmed from a 1v5 all because the Ki-43 turns like a demon. I would say is a bit higher turn rate then the zero. But is not an easy plane to master Its better of starting with the zero and know the first steps into doghfigthing and how to fly it

[@nicolasnf]

​@@Xer0280 its because the rudders on the 43 & 44 are bugged as hell

[@thepakistanipotato]

I love the Ki-27, it can outmaneuver anything and climbs incredibly well with an adequate top speed, not to mention the low br which means opponents are usually easier, guns and dive handling are lacking, but it’s fun

[@sheevpalpatine7588]

The zero is the best turnfighter. Researching the japanese in air RB as my first nation in such gamemose made me get quickly accustomed to aerial battles in the game

[@maximepires2603]

ikr, I have all the Zeros to the A6M5, all of them spaded except for the A6M5, but I plan on spading them all, they are fun as hell

[@ZeroMustang]

F2A-1 and F2A-3 are both literal UFO's that I think deserve a league of their own if a video on low tier planes comes out. Every time I go into a match with those I come out with at least an ace

[@TheOnlyBit]

Once you played the A7M2 or A7M1(Premium Plane) you never want to go back

[@danmen5258]

you cant... cuz everything else just leaved you so far behind 😉

[@_awston1637]

​@@danmen5258the A7M2 isnt as slow as the Zeros, and it is a pretty fast plane for its BR.

[@dogeness]

@@_awston1637 A7M1 and A7M2 are some of the slowest in level flight at their BRs. They’re only somewhat fast in a dive

[@Zero_2558]

@@dogenesswell u don’t really need to be worried about top speed if u are in a dogfight which it rekts everything apart from splitfires

[@mRahman92]

CR 32 Bis. People often underestimate it just because it's a biplane. It can out turn most other monoplanes at it's Rank, plus it has a little extra fire power, and the telescopic gun sight actually comes in handy.

[@bearmonkey5433]

The BR of A6M5b is currently 5.3, but at least don't slow down. It's hard to fight against 6.3 planes as expected.

[@DaisiesTC]

It also struggles against things at its own BR if the enemy has a brain lol. Ofc most players don't.

[@freeamericanempire4239]

Absolutely love playing J2M's or Ki-84's, they are my fav. Though, the G8N1 isn't that far behind.

[@rags417]

I am a low BR turn fighter Experten and I just love my I-16 and I-15, the main reasons I have been so slow to grind up the trees. Speed, acceleration, maneuverability, roll rate, combat flaps and those ShKAS miniguns make the I-16 my go-to plane for quick kills and fun game play. I love my Spitfire IX but the lack of combat flaps stop it from being a favourite, even if the overheating issues have been (mostly) worked out. I really liked the Friedrich (especially the F-4) but the low ammo count on the 20mm REALLY makes it a hard plane to get kills in, especially at its BR. Although I probably shouldn't like it I also love the P-39 - the armament is to die for and it has good speed, climb and dive rates and decent maneuverability, its thin wing prevents quick snap rolls but if you can get into a straight turn fight it rocks. Besides, I just love seeing targets literally explode when i hot them with the 37mm !

[@liambell708]

I am here with a classic, the Spitfire. I enjoy it and it can take a decent hit.

[@thejackaboy772]

I love the Bf 109 F1, yes it doesn't have much ammunition but if you use your shots wisely, you can get quick kills for not much work thanks to its amazing energy retention, the only times I have ever died in that thing are when I'm sniped from the heavens or when someone gets lucky shots in the head to head, I've even landed a kill against a A7M with it

[@Rogueginger69]

Great video, I would just add Ta 152, Il2 Sturmovick 1942 can turn with spits, Hurricane, P36, and Ki44. The Ki44 and ki61 have a near identical turn. There are a few others as well.

[@misterfm2189]

i like the mb157 the most because of its amazing energy retention and excelent turn rate, altough it doesn't carry much ammo (half of what it should have been) but it's twin 20mm cannons slaps anyways

[@elnewbie2611]

Thanks for not mentioning the hidden Italian gem, the Re.2005, very few people know good this thing is in a turn fight, as an Italian main, I've seen most people don't know how to approach the Re. Family, it lacks engine power but it compensates with the maneuverability and that's why I love Italian props, the fall a bit behind engine power wise but they compensate that with something else.

[@FrostOperator90-YT]

I-16 Type 27 best dogfighting plane by FAR

[@SlaingWolf]

"their collectively above gold in a tier of their own" yes i love japanese aircraft only thing i wish was better was top speed and survivability but if the zero had both then it would be way too op

[@kinglouiev9530]

Have you ever heard of the Spitfire… Oh wait it’s wings are fragile.

[@Shizuka935]

A6m3 zero its my favorite I am able with the a6m3 to eliminate the air threat for my team in mixed battles and if there is the opportunity to find very good opponents in the air, it is my second most used aircraft. The first is the bf109f4 in which I proclaim myself the star of war. thunder since I don't use many bullets to shutdown my target like the African star Hans-Joachim Marseille

[@nicholasbrouillard9832]

The C.202 and C.205 (MG versions) are great turn fighters similar to the ki-61 Otsu/Ko but at their BR lack of cannons hurt in up tiers.

[@schmeerg]

Not mentioning the I-153 or its premium version is a crime. Best Biplanes in the game hands down, I'll fight anything with 'em

[@daincredibleflow]

Been playing since 2013 got the 6 year decal and still feel like I got a lot to learn❤

[@Enzo_Gaming00]

I would say the Corsair at 5.7 sometimes I like to up to your myself to 7.3 and I have a blast

[@sandeatersebastian4122]

Ki-43-I is basically a TIE Fighter. Its really maneuverable (13 sec turn time!) however it does kinda lack armor. Nonetheless, it still a fun plane.

[@whattheduckhaha]

Love my Italian piston planes! The Bf109 F4 event vehicle we got a while back is the love of my life....thank you for blessing me with your greatness almighty 🐌

[@dariusjacobi4573]

I really like the Ta 152 H With some use of flaps it can turn pretty well

[@mstrbomber6942]

My two favorite turn fighters are the XF5F and the P-59A.

[@dejangaljot768]

La-7, Jak-3 and Bf 109 G-2 for dofight. For multirole mission is my first choise Fw 190 A-5.

[@alirezadraws1148]

Amazing expreience Yak 3/3p Moved from soviet to japan after rank iv Also good exprience with ki 43 and zero rank iii but took some time to learn to handle

[@punaboy12]

I've purposely ace my crew for A6M3 mod 22 as it is my favorite aircraft then and is now.

[@freedomsstudio4402]

Zeroes types all the way. Although it have a weak protection against high caliber bullets but it’s turn radius is exceptional in close in tight dogfights.

[@ms-lux5884]

I just love the i-16 type27 for no reason

[@safiyybaig5959]

I like the Japanese aircraft, Ki-100-II is my fav. the emperor simpely has found the best tricks to manufacture the best aircraft. with the imperial honor, the medal above gold.

[@Dogge_vlogg_funny_vids]

My favorite to use when it comes to turn fight is the F4-U

[@Acid_8501]

H8K3. I'm not even kidding. That ship has the turn radius of a fighter. 5 20mms and 5 7.7s at that br is godmode

[@whateverthisis389]

That and the Yak-2 KABB. It's BR is low enough to still be fighting biplanes, and it's turnrate is better than even some fighters. Plus 2 20mms and 2 7.62mms and it is the perfect bonking machine.

[@2bparistol8]

In my experience sim modes can use a little help ... the modes could be sooooooo much more fun but the sim community seems to be right you guys couldn't possibly care less

[@johnlovell5678]

I really like the Zero and the I-16 along with the bf-109 e3.

[@apolakigamingandmore6376]

Best turnfighter in a dogfight for me is always the Zero, you can have 3 enemies on me, but I'll still be able to defeat them, that's the power of 15 seconds turning-time.

[@leventekovacs5291]

Ngl the SM.91 is my favourite dogfighter, if you use it correctly it's insanely good

[@TheSIyFox]

Finally some love for the I-16! Hopefully this aircraft gets the attention it deserves. Not everyone can get such amazing APIT at such a low BR!

[@CaseyBurnett-pb9fi]

-"There is a bit of a Caveat here” Snail, taking a page out of Bapa’s book! Lol

[@ZiasT34]

Q: do you know the best tactic for PT-76B

[@MechaG2]

What? No Japanese planes mentioned?! This is outrageo- 04:36 Oh... nevermind. 😅

[@Zero_2558]

Well suddenly it makes sense as all Japanese planes had a average turning time of 16s while other nations was around 20s (British & USSR are 17-18s)

[@LostSoul6364]

"The Spitfire always has an altittude advantage over its opponents" Merlin engines when you go past 3000 meters: What 1300+ horsepower? What is power? Oh wait, I still need to keep the aircraft in the air? Oh I didnt know that, oh wait, my float carbuerator died-

[@lewa4ka]

How can I set it so that I don't have to hold down the button when zooming, but rather click it once to activate the zoom view and click it again to deactivate the zoom view.

[@user-ge4wd6pp8f]

i really like the f8f bearcat at rank 4.3-5.0 because it goes 350 knots and turn time of 20s and has bombs and rockets

[@user-gd9lg6kq1s]

I believe the P-36s in the US tech tree are pretty good turnfighters. Especially with flaps.

[@jedbedrock2944]

Lightning quick spitfire?...hahahahaha! That was a good joke.

[@jefflee4527]

the way one beats the Japanese airplanes in a dog fight is with the secret jo-star strategy, RUNNING AWAY!. (then come back at a higher altitude and swing at them again)

[@horowitz8680]

My favourite plane to turnfight in is the Il-28sh. No one can outturn you if you have guns facing both ways.

[@kentawolfgonzalezdelaaleja9862]

I like the spitfire, they are very good

[@thekringe4387]

Hey, how do you effectively fight fighters in heavy fighters/Intercepters like the BF-110 and P-38.

[@jasona.maverick4200]

Boom and zoom

[@name18745]

those are meant for bombers so you dont, or if you really want to your only advantage will be energy so gain altitude and dive on fighters, or attack fighters with other fighters

[@A-Warthog-cc1wm]

You will not will that fight 9/10 time you gotta get the jump on them, which should kill them in 1 burst. If you miss, you are dead, you aren’t winning any turn fights.

[@DiceStrike]

Spitspark is always a dream to fly

[@Minimeister317]

My favorite plane for grinding USSR tech tree in aviation at br 4.7 is the Yak-9U.

[@claraYT11]

My favorite is Spitfire MK Vc

[@drexsol2312]

All I-16s are still bugged on console. Any time you turn, you hit an invisible wall that forces you to stop turning and get a high chance to flat spin. But on PC doing the same thing, it flys like normal.

[@Ledabot]

The ki-100 has a special place in my heart. Actually all the army planes are above the zeros for me. I much prefer the armys 20mm cannon and 12mm mg over the ones the navy works with

[@kinglouiev9530]

Obviously it’s going to be the Spitfire or the A6M Zero

[@ashtongoorachan5168]

Love the Mosquito,Spitfire,Hurricane and Mustang

[@TahmayN]

Ta 152h1 my beloved dogfighter

[@tiborino2958]

It's sad we can't dogfight anymore in SB mixed battles due to airfield too close from the battle field.

[@TigersharkNation2691]

Q: Which is better to use in a dogfight the P-51 or the P-47

[@solarflare623]

There is only one answer. The zero. More specifically the A6M3 since it also has a very good roll rate because of its clipped wings. I’m honestly surprised how many people are dumb enough to turnfight that thing. Edit: forgot to mention the amazing ballistics

[@johnboyjr21]

As someone who started w German tech tree and just now am getting into others, my pick for the best dogfighter is anything that's not German is fkn cheating XD

[@alex_black_9819]

True words

[@x5x]

Q: when will we get bombercockpits? "placeholders" are there for years now!

[@celsonasgui5419]

A fama do I-16 entre os pilotos da Força Aérea Soviética na época que esse I-16 não era muito boa, que eles diziam "se vc consegue pilotar o I-16, vc pilota qualquer coisa." Pelo fato de ser difícil de pilotar.

[@modhistory]

I have master the art of dogfight with the barrier by adjusting it vtol you can make it do some crazy Manovers

[@WigglyWings]

What? No Typhoon in that list? It outruns most stuff at it's BR and out turns the rest, has decent climb rate as well. Energy retention is also pretty solid. Only con is the roll rate or the absence of it. Edit: And how did I forget about CW21, that under-tiered monster of a plane.

[@AllenLu]

my fav is yak3, best fighter for its BR

[@kingkillerdash]

My favorite dogfight is F-4F 1b it has the best cannon

[@maxlin7986]

“Only the best of the best can even dare to challenge them in their domain” - A-36 armed with 10 12.7mm cannons shoots it down in 2 seconds at a speed of 650km/h.

[@KevinCockburn]

Episode 4 of asking Gajin for the Sea Harrier FA2 with AIM 7Ms in October.

[@pzdmc4d]

i-16 27, but my preferred plane ever is 109 E-1 + flaps

[@danmarkus7383]

i was flying the A6M2 and had a dogfight against the A6M2 american version, best dog fight ever truely a show of skill between me and the other pilot o7

[@ArsenyPro]

Reggiane planes are very nice dogfighters as well as other Italians.

[@niclasjohansson4333]

The best "dogfighters" of WW2 was the La7 and Yak3, they did however not arrive until the end of the conflict !

[@yeetusdeletus8489]

the HK-75 A1 is a really underrated aircraft, though its armament isnt particularly good

[@oqf17pdr]

Of course my favourite, my dear, my darling, the Glorious Super Zero A7M. The A7M1 is almost like a Zero, but deadlier, faster And the A7M2 has bigger wingspan than A7M1, also in paper it has worse turn rate but in reality it's just the same GAIJIN! Please add the A7M3 and A7M3 Kai! Just imagine a 6x20mm Type 99 II and 6x30mm Type 5 in Kai variant shredding off planes like a cheese!!

[@gliderfs621]

Spitfire LF : the speed of a Mustang and the turn of a Zero. Perfection

[@randomes919]

gaijin,can you add the ov 10 bronco to usa premium? it has 1 m134 pod at the down middile 4 m2 brownings for main armament all unguided rocket pods 4 aim 9e and 16 hellfire missiles and bombs up to 500 pounds

[@randomes919]

model is ov 10x if u want it can be br 9.5

[@JIKwood]

Who needs a dogfighter when you can boom and zoom and not let them even use their best skill?

[@AxelKuno]

You forgot the helldiver 😜

[@motiejuspauliusremeika6319]

Spitfire

[@Basementguy.]

Day 1 of trying to break out. Plz no more snail food I can't take it I finally saw the sun when they opened the door.

[@whateverthisis389]

My favorite turn fighter has to be the Yak-1. Decent speed and good armaments, but it's main selling point for me is it's maneuverability can rival that of Japanese planes, specially when the combat flaps are used. I've been able to consistently defeat Japanese planes with this nimble girl.

[@theSovietball156]

In my personal opinion the I-15 is the best dog fighter because that thing can turn on a dime

[@DonutThunder]

I love the spitfire, it's literally in my username I ove it so much

[@Rennonetus]

J2M2 is a nightmare !

[@MrHobo175]

Tldw; Japanese for props, America for top tier jets, Soviet or Brits for early jets

[@derboss.]

Tornado is my favorite turnfighter

[@davidegiacinti8903]

Why did u put the G55 and not the Re.2005. It's waay more maneuverable

[@Nufeneguediz]

Everybody gangsta until the Re.2005 arrives

[@misteronsepatro7018]

The zero is great at dogfighting but it lacks speed and most ennemies I encounter just run away

[@schmiddi5729]

lieblingsflieger im turnfigth ist bei mir gans klar jede Yak 3 version und die beiden Yak 9 er die mit der 37mm und die mit der 47 mm kanone ausgestated sind diese bevorzuge ich auch in simulatorschlachten

[@Locl_freezing]

The b-17 Flying Fortress is easy pickings for any fighter mainly because you guys made it fragile asf