One explanation for slower late-war development is that the remaining German and Japanese air opposition offered less reason to rush another generation of piston fighters into service. Existing aircraft could meet immediate needs while newer designs matured. Advanced piston aircraft would still be needed after the war because early jets had yet to become mature operational equipment. Their later introduction therefore provided a bridge to the coming jet generation.
Notable Point · 3:06:40-3:07:13
Why late piston fighters could wait until after the war
Reduced urgency against late-war German and Japanese aviation allowed advanced piston fighters to mature for the postwar transition.