Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
RG_Lunatic said:wmaxt said:I the web page (p-38(C.C.Jorden...)) mJorden states that in various conversations/statements with aces on both sides that the P-51 P-47s were disliked but the P-38s were "The most hated and feared aircraft"
We had a Japanese member of the Fighter Ace community who posted that his father would pray before each sortie that he would not encounter Corsairs. I think it sorta mattered where and when they were stationed as to which planes were most feared/respected. And this probably had as much to do with the experiance level of the enemy pilots as the planes they flew by 1944.
=S=
Lunatic
wmaxt said:I revisited the article "The F4U-4 the best fighter/bomber in WWII" "Planes and Pilots " website and it's comparison of the F-4U-4. It has several Except for the P-38 comments acceleration, manuverability, dive speed. Maimly it was a comparison with the P-51 so a further comparison had to be made to show the P-38s stats which are better or the same. Top speed P-38L 443mph, F4U-4 446mph (confirmed with other references the -5 is 460mph) Max climb P-38 4, 120-4,225, F4u-4 4,175 except for carrier landings the f-4U does not have a clear advantage anywhere and the P-38 has small advantages in many areas criticle in ACM.
I still go for the P-38
I agree on all counts....The p-38 is one of my favorite planes too, but I still think the F4U-4 was clearly superior at all but very high altitudes, where the P-38 was perhaps slightly better.
Lightning Guy said:P-38 would always out-turn, out-dive, out-gun, out-range the Corsair. Best evidence seems to suggest that the speed and climb were relatively close.
Furthermore, the P-38 enjoyed significant advantages over the Shiden in everything but maneuverability. Properly flown, P-38's were able to counter Shidens without much difficulty.
Funny how many Shiden pilots racked up kills over the invincible F4U........The Shiden's were no match for the F4U-1d, let alone the F4U-4.
lesofprimus said:Heres alittle tidbit, although not against Corsairs......
In one notable action, on February 16 1945 over Yokohama, Warrant Officer Kinsuke Muto of the 343rd Kokutai in an N1K2-J single-handedly battled a dozen F6F Hellcats...... He shot down four of them before the rest were forced to break off combat and return to their carrier......
lesofprimus said:Funny how many Shiden pilots racked up kills over the invincible F4U........The Shiden's were no match for the F4U-1d, let alone the F4U-4.
Lightning Guy said:The F would out-turn the P-51 which would turn with the F4U. The L was even better. The P-38 could handle the F4U in a turning fight. It could also out dive it. The higher diving-speed of the F4U proves nothing. The P-38 accelerated faster in the dive, meaning that it will pull away from the Corsair once the dive is initiated.