Me 109, Spitfire, Zero or Mustang

[Jabberwocky]

The P51 is more manouverable than the Gustav/Kurfurst surely?

At an equal energy state, I would say no. Particularly if the fight is anywhere below 350-375 mph or and at less than 25,000 feet.

The 109 was THE outstanding vertical performer for most of the war, as well as consistently being one of the best accelerating aircraft. It was no slouch in the horizontal either.

Put all those together and you have an aircraft that will out climb a P-51 by a handy margin. A 109 would generally use its superior accleeration/climb to out energy fight its opponent, regardless of the front it was serving in. In fact, along with the 190D and the Spitfire, I'd hazard that the 109 was one of the top 3 energy fighting planes of the war.

 

[plan_D]

I'm not an expert but wouldn't the Corsair or Hellcat rank highly in the energy fighters? Possibly the La-7?

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I would agree with the Corsair. Again though I am not a expert in that asspect either.

 

[wmaxt]

The P51 is more manouverable than the Gustav/Kurfurst surely?

At an equal energy state, I would say no. Particularly if the fight is anywhere below 350-375 mph or and at less than 25,000 feet.

The 109 was THE outstanding vertical performer for most of the war, as well as consistently being one of the best accelerating aircraft. It was no slouch in the horizontal either.

Put all those together and you have an aircraft that will out climb a P-51 by a handy margin. A 109 would generally use its superior accleeration/climb to out energy fight its opponent, regardless of the front it was serving in. In fact, along with the 190D and the Spitfire, I'd hazard that the 109 was one of the top 3 energy fighting planes of the war.

There is an interview with a description of a P-51D vrs Bf-109 fight in the verticle to the stall points. Not only did Bud Anderson win but his description indicated the planes were pretty equal.

I would also add the P-38 as a top high energy fighter. The P-38 accerated very quickly @ 2.8mph/sec, and could climb to 20K fully loadded in 7 min @ 1,100hp. Climb clean in wep power in as little as 5min. Its energy retention was also exceptional.

wmaxt

 

[syscom3]

Id take the P51, stay out of the way of the -109 untill it was low on fuel and then pounce on it.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Id take the 109 and just pounce on the P-51.

 

[P38 Pilot]

P51 Mustang for me. Because it was pretty good in dogfights with its M2 Browning .50

Also, its American.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i still say -109.........

 

[lesofprimus]

Bf-109.......

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Yeap Id still go for the Bf-109.

 

[cheddar cheese]

I go 109G.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Same here Bf-109G-6 to be exact.

 

[Holmes]

We got Mustang, so it has to be at least 1943. So...

For sure NO:

a) Mustang - long range escort plane which was made "famoust WWII fighter" only by american propaganda. No match for good 109 pilot (but P-51 Runtang could always put the nose down and fly away). In DF it was as useless as brick. It is only EF fighter so suprise speed alt advantage is the only key to victory.

b) Zeke - in 1943 it's flying museum. She has a chance only at low level DF.

With PLEASURE:

a) Spit IX - superuniversal, multipurpose fighter. Good at DF&EF. Superb armament.

To WIN:

a) 109 F4/F2/G2/G6 - in DF it could outmaneveur any fighter from written above list. If attackin with a little advantage could easly win.

Of course all depends of PILOT F.e. good Zeke pilot could kill P-51 in few minutes during DF duel

 

[Holmes]

P51 Mustang for me. Because it was pretty good in dogfights with its M2 Browning .50

M2 in compare with MG-151 is a toy

 

[plan_D]

Six Browning M2 .50 cal would make easy meat out of any fighter. The Mustang entered combat at a higher altitude and faster speed than most of it's opponents. It was in a perfect situation to bounce it's opponent. Remember that the majority of those shot down did not see their destroyer.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

While I agree with you asssessment there and I too choose the Bf-109 as you did, I think you underestimate the Spitfire a bit much.

 

[plan_D]

That's an under-estimate of the Spitfire. A Spitfire IX was superior to the Bf-109F. In my opinion it was also superior to the Bf-109G which was getting a little sluggish by that time.

In any case, why the Spitfire IX? The Spitfire XIV was just as agile as the Spitfire IX while being superior in everything else. Then again there's the Spitfire 21 which held the some agility while being superior to the Spitfire XIV in everything but climb to altitude.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

That's an under-estimate of the Spitfire.

That is what I said.

 

[plan_D]

Yes. Yes you did.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Just checking