The P-47D model had almost the same speed as the P-51 but it flew 100 feet higher up to 42,000 feet Only the P-38 flew higher to 44,000 feet but the P-38 only flew 414 mph. Methinks I would rather be flying the P-38 then the P-51 or P-47D
me too, i like the P-38, id be willing to fly 20mph slower for an extra 2000ft altitude, and not many planes of the time could go up to 44,000ft, the only ones i can think of at the moment are the westland welkin (44,000ft), focke-wulf ta-152 (48,560ft) and the gotha go229, which was a kind of early stealth bomber wich could go over 50,000ft 8)
The Mosquito NF.Mk.XV made it to 44,600ft , a version made from the B.Mk.IV in 1943 to counter Ju.86P's - As for the Mustang, it was and still is a superb aircraft, it's range and speed contributed largely to the success of the Day-bombing Offensive. I think the laminar-flow wing design and the Merlin in them combined with 6 X .50's, made it the success it was - It also excelled earlier in the War in the RAF's PR Sqn.'s in the earlier variants.
me too, i like the P-38, id be willing to fly 20mph slower for an extra 2000ft altitude, and not many planes of the time could go up to 44,000ft, the only ones i can think of at the moment are the westland welkin (44,000ft), focke-wulf ta-152 (48,560ft) and the gotha go229, which was a kind of early stealth bomber wich could go over 50,000ft 8)
it wasnt a bomber, it was a fighter!!!! the B-2 Spirit was based on it because america is too stupid to be imaginative so they copied the honorable germans!!!
I've always liked the P-51, but I am definitely partial to the P-38. This will probably cause controversy but . . . I think the role of the P-51 in Europe has been overplayed. I'm not saying that it was a bad fighter or that it didn't deliver the coup de grace to the Luftewaffe. The fact of the matter is that by the time the P-51 became opertaional in numbers, mid '44 or so, the attrition of nearly five years of war was taking it's toll on the Luftwaffe. Or perhaps you would like to consider this quote from Authur Heiden of the 20FG with time in both the -38 and the -51. "The Mustang was a delight to fly, easier to maintain cheaper to build and train pilots for, and had long legs. In those respects you can rightfully call it better, but it could not do anything better than a P-38J-25 or L. Just remember who took the war to the enemy and held on under inconceivable odds. Enough of the crap."
i agree with you, the P-51's role was often "overplayed", like you say, it was a great fighter but it didn't have as much impact on the war as a 109 or spit.................