Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
dead parrot said:I don't think anyone is going to convince LG that the Lightning wasn't the better plane, but just to sort things out for myself, if nothing else...
It's an interesting idea to compare each aircraft's role, but to others of the class rather than to each other. (I tried to base these at least partly on the discussion above.)
Bomber
Mossie: One of the greatest bombers of WW2
P-38: Apparently possible and certainly good enough to be comparable with some medium bombers, but not really known for it.
Winner: Mossie
Day Fighter:
Mossie: Successful in some roles, such as interceptor, but there were many better
P-38: Excellent, but few claim it was the best in the war. Probably surpassed in most roles by planes such as the Mustang, Spit, Fw190
Winner: P-38
Night Fighter
Mossie: Excellent, with demonstrated performance to prove it. Best allied nightfighter, possibly best in war...
P-38: Probably excellent, but without anywhere near the record of the Mossie
Winner: Mossie
Recce Plane
Mossie: Famously good, probably the best Allied recce plane
P-38: Excellent--but the US bought Mossies for this role, too
Winner: Mossie
High speed transport
Mossie: Very effective
P-38: Not really
Tagline
Mossie: Flew really cool pinpoint commando-raids-in-the-sky against Nazi installations just like in the movies
P-38: Shot down lots of Japanese planes
Winner: Mossie
Overall: Mossie
The P-38 was without doubt an amazing plane, but for me, the Mossie was in a class of it's own...
Sourcehttp://worldatwar.net/chandelle/v3/v3n1/italtwin.htmlThe SM.92 flew November 12, 1943, after Italy's capitulation. All testing was carried out under Luftwaffe control. As the engineers had hoped, performance was significantly better. The SM.92 could reach 382 mph at 29,935 ft, could climb 19,680 ft in 7 min 10 sec, and could reach a service ceiling of 39,370. Range increased to 1242 miles at 335 mph.
Sourcehttp://worldatwar.net/chandelle/v3/v3n1/italtwin.htmlThe SM.91 flew for the first time on 10 March 1943. Performance and handling were good. The airplane could reach a maximum of 363 mph at 22,960 ft and could climb to 19,680 ft in 8 min 30 sec. It had a service ceiling of 36,090 ft and a range of 994 miles at a cruising speed of 320 mph. The SM.91 spanned 64 ft 7.25 in and was 43 ft 5.75 in long. Wing area totaled about 450 sq ft.
Source:http://worldatwar.net/chandelle/v3/v3n1/italtwin.htmlThe Corsaro never flew. But it ought to have been an excellent airplane. Caproni estimated its maximum speed as 400 mph at 23,525 ft and ceiling as 34,450 ft. It was to climb to 19,680 ft in 7 min 9 sec. Maximum cruising speed was to be 323 mph, and maximum range would lie between 1336-1616 miles.
Engine: 1x Alfa-Romeo "Tifone"(Daimler-Benz DB-605) making 1,250 hp driving a six blade contrarotating propellor.
1x FIAT A.30 radial piston engine making 700 hp driving the Campini engine
Weight: Loaded 16.538 lb
Maximum Speed: 460 mph / 520 mph with "Thermojet"
Range: 1,242 miles
Crew: 1
Armament: 4x 20 mm cannons in the wings and 1x 30 mm cannon between the cylinder banks of the engine.