1946: Best piston engine fighter in the world?

[krieghund]

Ok here are some speed charts:

P47N 385kts = 443 mph @ 35000'

P47M 480 kts = 470 mph @ 32000'

P51H 410 kts = 471 mph @ 22700'

F8F-2 388 kts = 446 mph @ 28000'

F4U-4 387 kts = 446 mph @ 26200'

F2G-1 375 kts = 431 mph @ 16900'

 

[drgondog]

The P-51H top speed according to the SAC Pilot Handbook was 412Kts (474mph) ; In Interceptor config (racks but no external fuel), ROC at SL was 4990fom, Ceiling was 43,100 and time to 25K was 6.7 minutes.

ROC, top speed and climb to 25K was on WEP

 

[wuzak]

Here's a climb chart for the Spitfire 21.

http://www.spitfireperformance.com/dp851climb.jpg

The max rate of climb for the 21 (prototype) was 4800fpm at 7700ft, using a Griffon 61 with +18psi boost at 9000lb AUW. Peak RoC was lower than the P-51H, but it still looks to get to 25k ft first.

Max speed was 455mph, some 20mph down on the P-51H, but how important was that?

Service ceiling 42,800ft.

Spitfire Mk 21 Performance

Anbody got any numbers for a 24 with Griffon 65?

 

[krieghund]

A Spitfire F.Mk24 was rated to 454 @ 26000' with a combat climb to 25kft in 6.1 minutes (it carried more fuel than the Mk21.) This is with the Griffon 61.

However, the Spiteful MkXVI with a Griffon 101 could do 494 @ 27500' and climb to 20Kft in 4.9 minutes

Darn hard to find tangible information spitfires equipped with the griffon 85.

 

[davparlr]

A Spitfire F.Mk24 was rated to 454 @ 26000' with a combat climb to 25kft in 6.1 minutes (it carried more fuel than the Mk21.) This is with the Griffon 61.

However, the Spiteful MkXVI with a Griffon 101 could do 494 @ 27500' and climb to 20Kft in 4.9 minutes

Darn hard to find tangible information spitfires equipped with the griffon 85.

I'm a bit confused. The only MkXVI I could find was a Packard or RR Merlin powered model with much less performance. Where did you get this info?

 

[wuzak]

I'm a bit confused. The only MkXVI I could find was a Packard or RR Merlin powered model with much less performance. Where did you get this info?

Spiteful XVI - laminar flow trapezoidal wing, low line wing mounted radiators, Griffon 65 or 85.

 

[krieghund]

I'm a bit confused. The only MkXVI I could find was a Packard or RR Merlin powered model with much less performance. Where did you get this info?

It is the Spiteful version

 

[krieghund]

Here is another speed chart I found with the Hornet plotted

 

[Rick65]

Spitfire by Alfred Price Chapter 33 Test Flying the Spiteful by Patrick Shea-Simonds
"Because of the low speed handling characteristics encountered with the Spiteful we spent a lot of time trying to improve matters on the second prototype and early production aircraft. ....
But these improvements were made at the expense of all out speed, with the result that the performance of the Spiteful ended up little better than that of the Spitfire 22."

 

[davparlr]

Spiteful XVI - laminar flow trapezoidal wing, low line wing mounted radiators, Griffon 65 or 85.

Aah, yes, the old mental misalignment of letters syndrome. Thanks

 

[stug3]

Tigercat for versatility.

 

[special ed]

I have to go with the Sea Hornet. I like Eric Brown's evaluation. The thread says best of 1946 with no qualifications, guns, range or mission except to beat the other fighter one on one with pilots being equal.

 

[Clayton Magnet]

I would assume that the F7F and Sea Hornet would be disadvantaged against single engined opponents, but that is only an assumption.
Tough to argue against the P-51H, it seems to hold all the cards.

 

[KiwiBiggles]

Tough to argue against the P-51H, it seems to hold all the cards

Undergunned.

That was easy.

 

[fastmongrel]

Hawker Fury with the 3,500 hp Napier Saber MkVII that could go to 4,000 hp emergency power.

 

[Peter Gunn]

Undergunned.

That was easy.

How so? Did six .50 cal. HMG's suddenly lose all effect the moment the war ended but the eight .50's in the Jug keep their punch?

 

[fastmongrel]

How so? Did six .50 cal. HMG's suddenly lose all effect the moment the war ended but the eight .50's in the Jug keep their punch?

The .50 by the end of the war was on the way out as a worthwhile gun. If you wanted to knock bombers and armoured fighters down 20mm cannon we're the minimum.

 

[tomo pauk]

Hawker Fury with the 3,500 hp Napier Saber MkVII that could go to 4,000 hp emergency power.

3500 HP with water injection on = emergency.

 

[KiwiBiggles]

How so? Did six .50 cal. HMG's suddenly lose all effect the moment the war ended but the eight .50's in the Jug keep their punch?

Nope. Tne P-47 was undergunned too.

 

[Clayton Magnet]

Undergunned.

That was easy.

Touche'