British "Zero"

[sequoiaranger]

First of all, the Me-109X looks more like the Ki-84 Hayate than a Zero--canopy more rearward, small tail, etc.

"Uncanny Zero look-alikes" seems far-fetched. I mean, how many variations of a radial, single-engined, single-seat, low-winged fighter with a semi-bubble canopy can there be? Dozens. I mean, the F8F Bearcat or a Sea Fury "looks like" a Zero, for that matter.

But yes, the Bristol and Gloster monoplanes BEAR A RESEMBLANCE to the Zero, because they were built with the same general attributes. Not "uncanny" at all!

FWIW--Here is my Irish Air Corps "Gloster Gadfly" monoplane Gladiator:

[Alvis 3.14159]

"Uncanny" merely means it's amazing in how much they can look alike, nothing more. It's also uncanny how a certain rock I saw once looked like my gym teacher...just a coincidence is all. Sure, there's only so many ways to configure a monoplane, and given the engine technology of the time, it only makes sense a lot of them wound up looking alike. However, when you have a tail and wing shape thrown in as well, then the number of combinations rises, and the chances of a lookalike becomes less and less probable.

Now, in the realm of What-if...What if the Imperial Japanese had retained cordial relations with the UK, and cooperated on aircraft designs? Who would be a likely co-producer of the Mitsubishi Zero in the UK? Would Gloster get the nod, as their independant idea was along the same lines? (I realise this would be highly improbable...what with it crossing paths with the US and France in the South East Asia sphere) I'm really just angling to make an Anglicised Zero I guess...


Alvis Pi

[Pablo1965]

The British Zero Is the name of the Gloster F.5, but I think the vickers 279 venom looks like a Wildcat but with his parts well distributed.

[Radish]