I was wondering about what was the plane that would have the most overall firepower in one shot (all gun calibers added up). My initial though was the Hs 129 B-3, with its 75 mm cannon. Here is my list of planes I have researched: Hs 129 B-3: 130.84mm (2x 7.92, 2x 20, 1x 75) Yak 9UT: 95mm (2x 20, 1x 45) Ju 88 P-3: 121.52mm (2x 37, 6x 7.92) Ju 88 G-1: 146mm (4x 20, 2x 20, 2x 13) Ju 87 D-5: 100.76mm (2x 20, 2x 20, 2x 7.92, 1x 7.92) Fw 190 A-8: 106mm (4x 20, 2x 13) B-17G: 165.1mm (13x 12.7) He 111 H-6: 88.44mm (7x 7.92, 1x 20, 1x 13) B-25H: 303.6mm (18x 12.7, 1x 75) Remember, this includes gunners and gunpods, and is for maximum capacity, including modifications. If anyone knows a plane that might have more, feel free to comment, you don't even have to research it.
The H model only had 4 .50's in the forward gun tub because of the 75mm taking up the rest of the room. The J model had: 8 x .50 cal in the forward gun tub. 4 x .50 cal cheek mounted 2 x .50 cal Dorsal Turret 2 x .50 cal R/L waist guns 2 x .50 cal Tail http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_B-25_Mitchell
A more interesting question (to me) is which fighter or fighter bomber had the most firepower, since those guns could all be directed against one target.
Douglas A-26 had a bunch .... especially in the ground attack role: 8 .50's in the nose and 8 more in underwing pods...You might get just as many casualties from the hot brass dropping. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_A-26_Invader
I recently visited the New England Air Museum. They have an A-26C "Rita Rae" on display. Remember pondering the size of the load out was substantial. http://www.neam.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=929
The YB-40 "escort" B-17 was tested with various combinations of 50 caliber guns numbering from 14 to 30. Flew a few operational missions but proved to be an idea that didn't work out.
I like the idea of the JU 187 with the 20MM MG151 under each wing, considering the diversity of ammunition for the platform.
The P47 had 8-.50 cal. guns, could carry rockets, 2500 pounds of bombs, and fly well over 425 mph and was solid as a tank.
A case might be made for the P-38L. Only four .50's and a 20mm in the nose, but 10 5" HVAR's on the wings gave it the same punch as the broadsides from TWO Fletcher class DD's.
Let's roundup what we have, and I'll fix my errors too, and add the rocket capabilities: Hs 129 B-3: 130.84mm (2x 7.92, 2x 20, 1x 75) Yak 7B: 537.4mm (2x 12.7, 1x 20, 6x 82) Yak 9UT: 95mm (2x 20, 1x 45) Ju 88 P-3: 121.52mm (2x 37, 6x 7.92) Ju 88 P-4: 455.84 (6x 65mm, 1x 50mm, 2x 7.92) Ju 88 G-1: 146mm (4x 20, 2x 20, 2x 13) Ju 87 D-5: 100.76mm (2x 20, 2x 20, 2x 7.92, 1x 7.92) Fw 190 A-8: 106mm (4x 20, 2x 13) B-17G: 165.1mm (13x 12.7) He 111 H-6: 88.44mm (7x 7.92, 1x 20, 1x 13) B-25H: 1141.8mm (4x 12.7, 1x 75, 8x 127) A-26B: 1422.4mm (6x 12.7, 6x 12.7, 10x 127) Mosquito: 718.8mm (4x 20, 4x 7.7, 8x 76) P-47: 1371.6mm (8x 12.7, 10x 127) IL-2M: 1257.94mm (2x 23, 2x 7.62, 1x 12.7, 8x 82, 4x 132) Looks like the A-26B with rockets has the most on our list. I use the rocket variations for all the aircraft with rockets. The P-47, Fw-190, Yak 7B and Yak 9UT are all fighters. It's not a gun or rocket, it isn't shot from a plane.
Thanks PoL. The title of thread is "...Plane With Most Firepower." Aphrodite is directed, like a rocket or bullet. ..Didn't work so well.
Nobody has mentioned the ME 262 with four 30mm Mk 108s and 24 R4M rockets. By the way FJH, I believe the JU 87 you're referring to had 37mm cannon under the wing! I've never seen or heard of one with 20mm guns.
I'll do ya one better than A-26B or Me-262... F4U Corsair - 6 *.50s. 8 * 5-inch FFARs, and 2 * 11.75-inch "Tiny Tim" rockets = 1688.2mm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xVvaQNlq54 ROYAL AIR FORCE COASTAL COMMAND, 1939-1945.. © IWM (CH 18219)IWM Non Commercial Licence
No....I meant JU-187...I don't think it ever flew an the 20MM had a larger assortment of ammunition to choose from.
One Me-262 variant could have up to 48x 55mm rockets (R4M) on the wings and fuselage, as well as having guns. I think this one trumps the lot. They built it for use against bombers, but it was never used in combat. The guns were cut down from 4 guns to 2 guns. They also took away all the bombs, to save weight for the rockets. 2x 30mm guns and 48x 55mm rockets is 2700mm total.