The reason why Russian planes seemed so outclassed, was because in the 30s, Russia put more effort in their biplane designs than monoplane designs. The reason why? Because during the 30s, Stalin and the rest thought that Biplanes were the way of the future because of their amazing maneuverability, and agility. The USSR, saw monoplanes as basically obsolete before they even really got going.
Same goes for many French planes as well. The reason the MS 406 and other French fighters were slow, was because though they were monoplanes, they wanted to keep that good maneuverability and agility going that many biplanes had. Same goes with Italy, and that's why we have the Fiat CR. 32-42 also.
Britain also thought biplanes would still be important, and actually the first designs of the Hawker Hurricane was actually a Biplane design.
It was Germany and the US, who started putting more work into the Monoplane structure/design, and that's why it seems like they outclassed most of their allies and enemies.
|