Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The combat effectiveness of a weapons system can be measured by various parameters. The effectiveness of a fighter can be quantified by it’s kill ratio. The number of credited enemy aircraft shoot downs divided by fighters lost. In evaluating this value, it is clear the F6F Hellcat overall kill ratio is the best US navy fighter exceeding the Corsairs kill ratio by 69%. Calculating the kill ratio for the US Army Air forces Mustangs, thunderbolts and lightnings is problematic. No model kills or losses were collected during WWII. The kill ratios are all based on secondary sources which can vary. However, data trends do indicated the Mustang had the highest kill ratio at around 10 to 1, next the Thunderbolt and then the lightning.
The combat effectiveness of a weapons system can be measured by various parameters. The effectiveness of a fighter can be quantified by it’s kill ratio. The number of credited enemy aircraft shoot downs divided by fighters lost. In evaluating this value, it is clear the F6F Hellcat overall kill ratio is the best US navy fighter exceeding the Corsairs kill ratio by 69%. Calculating the kill ratio for the US Army Air forces Mustangs, thunderbolts and lightnings is problematic. No model kills or losses were collected during WWII. The kill ratios are all based on secondary sources which can vary. However, data trends do indicated the Mustang had the highest kill ratio at around 10 to 1, next the Thunderbolt and then the lightning.
