No correct answers thus far; but here's a couple of bones clues to reward your efforts. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This aircraft was unfortunate enough to come into existence at the same time as a great and iconic aircraft.
2. A great and iconic aircraft that was much more favored by the pilots of the time.
3. As such, it was definitely considered “second best” by the men who flew it.
4. It was, however, at least an equal to the enemy aircraft against which it was matched.
5. Ironically, it was designed to emulate features of a current enemy aircraft.
6. The wing design of a foreign aircraft was largely emulated, if not outright copied, in the design of our subject aircraft.