P-51 vs. Hellcat

[snelson]

with the hellcat being a lot heavier than the mustang and it has a 2000 hp engine i would have thought that it could out dive about anything like the P-47. so what am i missing

 

[grampi]

with the hellcat being a lot heavier than the mustang and it has a 2000 hp engine i would have thought that it could out dive about anything like the P-47. so what am i missing

Being heavy certainly helps a plane's diving ability, but aerodynamics also plays a big role...these planes would probably do well over 500 mph in a dive, so aerodynamics is huge! This is why the Mustang would outdive many of the heavier fighters of the time...

 

[wuzak]

I highly doubt the Hellcat could outdive a Mustang...I think the only plane that could was the P-47...I also doubt the hellcat could outturn the Mustang at any altitude as it was considerably bigger and heavier than the 'Stang...the only area where it could possibly hang with the P-51 would be in roll rate...

It also had 42% more wing area.

I believe that the F6F was noted for its turning ability and the P-51 not so much.

 

[parsifal]

I believe that the F6F was noted for its turning ability and the P-51 not so much

.

Possibly more correct to say it was a good turner at higher speeds, but its higher speeds were moderate speeds for the P-51.

At low speeds, neither was a particualarly good turning aircraft. The problem for the hellcat is that its spped ranges were much more restrictive than the P-51s speed envelope.

 

[BLine22]

Head to head Mustang has the advantage but if I had to deliver ground ordnance Hellcat is a better choice. Much more rugged and probably the easiest single engine fighter to fly.

 

[BLine22]

Performance wise the Hellcat is probably more equal to an Allison power Mustang. The improved Hellcat is probably a better match for the Merlin Mustang, it called the Bearcat, albeit a little late to the show.