Fastest WW2 Prop Fighters at Sea Level

Laurelix · Jan 18, 2024

P-47M - 590km/h at Sea Level
Ki-83 - 592km/h at Sea Level
I-185 (M-71) - 600km/h at SL
BF-109K-4 - 603km/h at SL
P-51D (67Hg) - 603km/h at SL
Spitfire Mk XXI - 603km/h at SL (+18lbs)
Yak-3 VK-107 - 611km/h at SL
La-7 - 616km/h at SL
Fw-190D-9 - 621km/h at SL (C3 + MW-50)
Do-335A - 622km/h at SL (MW-50)
Hornet - 623km/h at SL (+20lbs)
F4U-4 - 626km/h at SL (2450hp, WWII)
Spitfire Mk XXII - 628km/h at SL (+21lbs)
P-51D (75Hg) - 630km/h at SL
F8F-1 - 635km/h at SL (WWII, 2400hp)
J7W1 - 636km/h at SL
Tempest V - 641km/h at SL (+11lbs)
F-2G - 655km/h at SL
Tempest Mk II - 670km/h at SL (+12lbs)
P-51H (90Hg) - 682km/h at SL

If you have any others for this list feel free to contribute. I will edit this post as we go along.

Venomstick121 · Jan 18, 2024

Is the DO-335 a fighter?

Laurelix · Jan 18, 2024

Venomstick121 said:
Is the DO-335 a fighter?

Yes I'd say so

Venomstick121 · Jan 18, 2024

I think the A-6 was but not the A-1 if I am correct

Laurelix · Jan 18, 2024

Im full aware that Tempest Mk II should also be on that list but I just can't seem to find the source for the exact SL performance.

ThomasP · Jan 18, 2024

F2G-2 Corsair ?
(per October 1944 ACP)
642 km/h at SL with capped pylons
655 km/h at SL without pylons

Laurelix · Jan 18, 2024

ThomasP said:
F2G-2 Corsair ?
(per October 1944 ACP)
642 km/h at SL with capped pylons
655 km/h at SL without pylons

On the list now

Laurelix · Jan 18, 2024

P-63A-10 makes the list with 384mph (618km/h) at SL

Laurelix · Jan 18, 2024

No wonder the Americans didn't want the Germans to capture a P-63.

P-63A: 618km/h at SL
FW-190D-9 running with the utmost maximum settings, C3 Fuel and MW-50 literally needs all that do reach 620km/h at SL

Whilst at the same time the P-63A puts the turning capability of the FW-190D-9 to shame

BarnOwlLover · Jan 18, 2024

Though it didn't make World War II (P-51H barely did, though it didn't see combat), any such data on the XP-82/P-82B?

J.A.W. · Jan 21, 2024

Laurelix said:
P-63A-10 makes the list with 384mph (618km/h) at SL
View attachment 758429

Is that a Bell Aircraft Corp Company chart? Yeah, Bell tended to ah, 'fudge' their test results.

It shows a performance level the USAAF test pilots certainly could not obtain at max power setting,
since in their official tests (WEP/75" Hg/ADI/1820hp), the P-63 only made "366.0mph" at "0 ft".

J.A.W. · Jan 21, 2024

Laurelix said:
Im full aware that Tempest Mk II should also be on that list but I just can't seem to find the source for the exact SL performance.

From the usual site, here it is: 416mph @ S-L.

(Caveat, it has the Centaurus running hard at +12lbs boost, on 150 grade avgas).

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/tempest/tempestii-cfe-appd.jpg

Laurelix · Jan 21, 2024

J.A.W. said:
Is that a Bell Aircraft Corp Company chart? Yeah, Bell tended to ah, 'fudge' their test results.

It shows a performance level the USAAF test pilots certainly could not obtain at max power setting,
since in their official tests (WEP/75" Hg/ADI/1820hp), the P-63 only made "366.0mph" at "0 ft".

Do you have the exact source link?

J.A.W. · Jan 21, 2024

Laurelix said:
Do you have the exact source link?

Same location as the graph you showed also appears: P-63 Performance Tests

J.A.W. · Jan 21, 2024

DH Hornet Mk I : 387mph at S-L, on +20lbs boost.

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/Hornet/Hornet_I_Level_AFDS.jpg

Laurelix · Jan 22, 2024

J.A.W. said:
DH Hornet Mk I : 387mph at S-L, on +20lbs boost.

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/Hornet/Hornet_I_Level_AFDS.jpg

Ok Hornet is on the list and P-63 is off the list

Laurelix · Jan 23, 2024

Added Spitfire Mk 21 with Griffon 61 engine and +18lbs/in boost

Based on Spitfire Mk.21 - PP.139
(2nd prototype of Mk 22)

375mph at SL
460mph at Optimal Altitude

Quick question….
Was the +21lbs/in boost for Griffon 61 also used during WW2?

Griffon 61 Spitfire with +21lbs/in boost would have 628km/h at SL

Edit: Yes, +21lbs boost was also used in WW2

Added Spitfire with +21lbs boost also to the list

Metrallaroja · Jan 23, 2024

Laurelix said:
P-47M - 590km/h at Sea Level
Ki-83 - 592km/h at Sea Level
BF-109K-4 - 603km/h at SL
P-51D (67Hg) - 603km/h at SL
F4U-4 - 604km/h at SL (2450hp, WWII)
Spitfire Mk XXII - 604km/h at SL (+18lbs)
Yak-3 VK-107 - 611km/h at SL
La-7 - 616km/h at SL
Fw-190D-9 - 620km/h at SL (C3 fuel + MW-50)
Do-335 - 622km/h at SL (MW-50)
Hornet - 623km/h at SL (+20lbs)
P-51D (75Hg) - 630km/h at SL
F8F-1 - 635km/h at SL (WWII, 2400hp)
J7W1 - 636km/h at SL
Tempest V - 641km/h at SL (+11lbs)
F-2G - 655km/h at SL
Tempest Mk II - 670km/h at SL (+12lbs)
P-51H (90Hg) - 682km/h at SL

If you have any others for this list feel free to contribute. I will edit this post as we go along.

View attachment 758340

F4U-4 is 626kph clean: Wayback Machine

Laurelix · Jan 23, 2024

Metrallaroja said:
F4U-4 is 626kph clean: Wayback Machine
View attachment 759356

But is that with post war 2800hp?

Metrallaroja · Jan 23, 2024

Laurelix said:
But is that with post war 2800hp?

No, check the link. 100/130 + water at 60''
Also btw F2G-1 655kph is at 100/130 Military Power at 52'' . So probably the fastest in power setting to speed.

Fastest WW2 Prop Fighters at Sea Level

Airman 1st Class

Airman 1st Class

Airman 1st Class

Airman 1st Class

Airman 1st Class

Senior Master Sergeant

Airman 1st Class

Airman 1st Class

Airman 1st Class

Staff Sergeant

Banned

Banned

Airman 1st Class

Banned

Banned

Airman 1st Class

Airman 1st Class

Airman

Airman 1st Class

Airman

Users who are viewing this thread

Similar threads