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In saying "plenty of forums", would these be perhaps gaming forums?
I think everyone agrees it is one of the greatest aircraft ever built, but feel it is overrated because people put it on such a high pedestal that they forget there were many great planes contributing to the defeat of Germany.
You would think:
Best Fighter: P-51
Best Transport: P-51
Best Bomber: P-51
Best Seaplane: P-51
You get my drift...
Even knowing this is an exaggeration it's ridiculous...sometimes I think people get carried away and over exaggerate (much like you did) about how the Mustang was regarded...what I take away form how it was regarded is that it was the best fighter of the war, and it was...I don't see how that's overrating it...I think everyone agrees it is one of the greatest aircraft ever built, but feel it is overrated because people put it on such a high pedestal that they forget there were many great planes contributing to the defeat of Germany.
You would think:
Best Fighter: P-51
Best Transport: P-51
Best Bomber: P-51
Best Seaplane: P-51
You get my drift...
So what is that cruising into France @ 200mph TAS is tantamount to suicide.
Cruising over undefended water, say Rabaul to Guadalcanal is not the same as crossing the channel and into France and then Germany.
Cruising in an A6M @ 300+ mph TAS (remember, you have to get up to combat speed if bounced, that's why P-51's routinely cruised at high speed over Indian country) does not get you very far, I doubt it could range as far as the Thunderbolt at P-47 speeds.
I'm on some history and martial arts forums. I'm a history researcher in my spare time and have a few academic articles published on late medieval cities in Central Europe. I used to be on Rogan Board under this same handle (Schweik) until it got closed down a few months ago.
How about you, since we are sharing? Why would you assume gaming forums?
S
That's it buddy... You are definitely OFF my Christmas Card list...
grampi however, gets two cards...
PS You forgot Best Torpedo Bomber, Best Liason, Best Recon and best BESTEST ever plane...
Even knowing this is an exaggeration it's ridiculous...sometimes I think people get carried away and over exaggerate (much like you did) about how the Mustang was regarded...what I take away form how it was regarded is that it was the best fighter of the war, and it was...I don't see how that's overrating it...
200 TAS is probably about right, so what? I show for A6M2 207 mph cruise speed
I also show A6M with 1,625 'typical' range and 1,929 'max'. Plus initial climb of 4,517 fpm which is nothing short of phenomenal for 1941, and climb to 19,685 in 7 minutes 27 seconds. Also excellent. Both far better than the Bf 109E (or the G-6 for that matter)
I think just about every fighter I ever heard of had a pretty low cruise speed in long flights. I know the comparison to the Spitfire was extremely disingenuous of him to make to begin with and of you to entertain. Like I said, I don't buy it. We have had these kinds of debates before on this forum and I don't think you to are on the level.
I'm not over exaggerating a damn thing...
Really? I don't ever recall the P-51 being regarded as the best seaplane, or best transport...
I would have assumed simply because someone a long time ago used to frequent here with an S in various forms in his signature, and he was known on the gaming forum circuit. And then of course you talked as if you have had many discussions in the past on this forum.
He too liked to stir the pot.
Something is off in the climb figures given.
I am not claiming the Spitfire can match the Zero for range, it can't, simply using it and the P-40 as benchmarks. Some of the performance figures for the Zero just don't make sense.
If questioning performance numbers that fly in face of physics and common sense makes me not on the level then so be it.
The Eagle has a lower CD with two external wing tanks (and is much faster) than it does with one on the centerline. Range with the wing tanks is almost the same as range with all three on board (and they are all the same size / interchangeable). In max afterburner (AB) at low altitude the Eagle burned 140k per hour IIRC. Pulling the throttles back to mid AB cut that fuel flow by 1/3 and only slowed you by about 30-40 knots.
So what's a "forum grognard"?
Maybe come off the high horse a little too...
I think you underestimate the knowledge of this forum.
Will saying it was the best rocket powered biplane helicopter with inverted sling load technology get me back on the list?
I actually don't - and i can see there is a lot. I have already learned a great deal here and did so even before I joined - it's why i joined.
But I have read these forums for years and seen many of the same cliches and tropes repeated over and over, I've seen some people so invested in the ideology or propaganda of one side or the other that they let that cloud their opinions. I have read through some farcical debates on here when newly emerging data doesn't match peoples cherished beliefs. I read an old one last night about some action between the the Ta 152 vs Tempest. Data was fascinating, the subsequent debate was a bit disappointing.
I can tell I am ruffling some feathers right now, so be it. You are a mod, it's not my forum, if you don't want me here ban me. I may not agree with the consensus on some things like how crappy the A6M was and how Uber the 109 was, but I think I have something to offer regardless. I've tried to post some useful data and been careful in writing my posts. That's the best I can do brother.
S