A fighter that was competitive in 1940 could be poor by 1942 because engines, power-to-weight ratios, and airframes advanced through several wartime generations. One name could conceal extensive redesign, as the shift from early Merlin-powered Spitfires to later Griffon-powered versions shows. A fair assessment of the Buffalo begins with its 1930s rivals and then asks whether Brewster kept pace. Brewster did not keep pace, and that failure explains the Buffalo's decline better than a hindsight comparison with mature late-war fighters.
Notable Point · 4:46-5:55
Why a good 1940 fighter could be obsolete by 1942
Rapid wartime engine and airframe development explains why a sound prewar design still needed continuous improvement to remain useful.