If I were to fly one Allied aircraft during WW2 it would have been a Thunderbolt...it could take a licking and keep on ticking to get me home.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_S._Johnson
One should read his book "Thunderbolt"..his mission of June 26, 1943 is of special interest..as it shows just how much punishment a Thunderbolt could take and still bring its pilot home.