wuzak
Captain
I shouldn't think that the P-51H would need 150PN fuel and ADI to trounce the F8F above 20,000ft, especially the F8F-1.
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
The P-51H, with the same amount of internal fuel, with no restrictions on boost up to 90" w/WI and 150 octane fuel should trounce an F8F above 20,000 feet given good pilot skills - and should be a handful below that.
I remember reading about a naval aviator who flew Bearcats out of Pensacola, they used to mix it up with the local AF boys who were flying Mustangs. The Navy had no problem defeating the AF in every acm envelope, sort of like the Hornet against the F-35.
I shouldn't think that the P-51H would need 150PN fuel and ADI to trounce the F8F above 20,000ft, especially the F8F-1.
and as far as a Hornet taking on an F-35, that would be laughable...a Hornet can't even handle an F-16...
Maybe, even at 30,000 ft the P-51D was only about 25mph faster the than Bearcat or about 6%, climb was better, about 1750fpm vrs about 1250fpm. At 20,000ft both planes climbed about the same. This is with both planes weighing within a few hundred pounds of each other.Above 20K feet even the P-51D would have it's way with a Bearcat...
Hi YB
Maybe, even at 30,000 ft the P-51D was only about 25mph faster the than Bearcat or about 6%, climb was better, about 1750fpm vrs about 1250fpm. At 20,000ft both planes climbed about the same. This is with both planes weighing within a few hundred pounds of each other.
The Mustang certainly has an edge, but perhaps not a dominate/sure thing edge. Bearcat was as fast (or faster?) than a 109G with a big supercharger although it id didn't climb as well at the higher altitudes.
I would be a little leery of post war match-ups between nearby squadrons unless we know that both units had the same engine restrictions, that is both were allowed to use WER in training flights in peacetime? Maybe both units could, maybe only one could or maybe both were limited to military power. Results are interesting but not definitive of war time capabilities.
Figures are for the -1.Which Bearcat? The F8F-2 was significantly better at altitude than the F8F-1.
The Bearcat held the absolute brakes-off time-to-height record for many years. Part of the reason was that, light, if had a very short takeoff run, and high acceleration at low speeds. Jets, even those of the mid-1950s, couldn't get off the ground fast enough to make up for the slow start. The other piston fighters of its generation, like the Sea Fury and the P-51H, may have been able to match, or at least come close, to the same performance.From what I remember the Bearcats held the climb to height record for a prop driven aircraft for many years. Add to that the lack of ace pilots in Japan and the high quality of US naval aces like David McCampbell just to name one of many, we'll that about says it all. I remember reading about a naval aviator who flew Bearcats out of Pensacola, they used to mix it up with the local AF boys who were flying Mustangs. The Navy had no problem defeating the AF in every acm envelope, sort of like the Hornet against the F-35. For my own amusement, Molders in a 109E vs Nishizawa in an A6M3. Now that would be interesting! my money would be on Nishizawa, hands down.
The XP-51G was never timed in an official setting. The SL climb rate for the G was7500 fpm at 250mph climb out speed - with 20,000 feet in 3.3 minutes. As light as it was, with 2200 Hp at WEP, and 1900 Hp at T.O. power, there is no reason to suspect roll time didn't compare exceptionally well with the Bearcat. Chilton commented that he had to be careful not to advance throttle too rapidly and the airplane was off the ground at 30" MP.
Hi Bill,
Out of curiosity only, what is the reference for the XP-51G numbers. I don't believe I ever saw any real numbers on it other than top speed which, as we all know, is only ONE data point.
Cheers.
Bill,The XP-51G was never timed in an official setting. The SL climb rate for the G was7500 fpm at 250mph climb out speed - with 20,000 feet in 3.3 minutes. As light as it was, with 2200 Hp at WEP, and 1900 Hp at T.O. power, there is no reason to suspect roll time didn't compare exceptionally well with the Bearcat. Chilton commented that he had to be careful not to advance throttle too rapidly and the airplane was off the ground at 30" MP.