I thought we had the black cross superiority thread for that?
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
Hey, at least he found a way to feel superior today.
It is awfully hard not to go with the P-51D. It was available in quantity, relatively economical to purchase and operate, and effective in all roles from long range escort to recon to ground attack. It did the job, and nobody out there in 1945 had anything in quantity that was as good, let alone better.
As an additional feature, it looked good...
Haven't heard from you in a little while. Been wondering how you've been and what you've been up to as far as your work on Mustang literature.Best or Best Choice - for the person contemplating the execution of airpower to destroy enemy industrial capability, or support of ground forces or project airpower from a fleet?
Personally, I would be evaluating the trade-offs between the P-47M and the P-51H as 'best choice' for me if I had only one choice.
The P-51D/H IMO could have been 'navalized' had the requirement been to operate from carriers - despite USN lack of interest in supporting liquid cooled engines. More accidents than F4U but doable.
The TF-51D could have been modified easier than F7F or P-38M or F4U for night fighter role.
Installing a 1650-9 in a P-51D, swapping 4x20mm for 6x50 cal, operating at 75" w/o water, and removing 85gal fuse tank drives ROC above 4000fpm - not in class of Spit XIV but just how much difference in interceptor role do you need - the so modified D still has much longer range for much larger intercept footprint.
The P-47M drops out with no two seat factory version and longer take off run for short field or carrier ops.
Wich version?got to be the P-51D.
Wich version?
Aren't the Jumo diesels two-stroke engines? That's something to consider.if 2strokes engines are allowed, then i'll go for the me-262 with it's 2 Riedel engines.....
Wich version?
That's why I was laughing.
I'm more than just a pretty face.
4th FG mod. The 355h had a similar two seat arrangement but no radar.There was a P-51D deployed in Europe with a 2nd cockpit behind the pilot's seat and a split bubble canopy, equipped with an air-to-air radar to enable a P-51 formation to spot enemy aircraft at greater distances in DAYLIGHT.
Aren't the Jumo diesels two-stroke engines? That's something to consider.
True for hgher drag of wing contribution, also true that CLmax was slightly lower than say the Bf 109 or P-38 wing - that said 'dogfight' edge meant what to the LW or IJA? The P-51D proved that speed advantage combined with 'purty gud' manueverability did just fine against all comers - save the one that was a worse dogfighter than the D - namely the Me 262I'll be difficult again.
It can't be the P-51D.
The laminar flow aerofoil was great for low drag at cruise, but it had higher drag at high lift coefficients compared to the earlier aerofoils. Thus it was not as good in dogfights.
Somehow I missed the memo. I thought the year was 1945? Was there a lot of low level combat over Japan that I missed in my history lessons?With the need for long range escort long gone and most combat being at low altitudes, the best fighter would have to be the P-39.
I'll show myself out.
How does that work? For what it's worth, Wikipedia says it's a 2 stroke.No, the Jumos are continuous combustion.