Hi
I've been reflecting on this aspect of P-51 Mustang characteristics and I couldn't get to any reasonable conclusion. I've heard that laminar wing reduced drag, but it will also stall earlier. However, I also read that P51 could turn very sharply and was quite controlable at high speeds.
So guys I would be grateful If someone could enlighten me on P51 maneuvrability (turning, rate of roll, handling at high speeds) in comparison to German Fighters like Fw 190 A or Bf 109G-K.
Regards,
I would say the pilot's statements on the Mustang's manouveribilty was relative to the previous 8th AAF fighter the flew, which mostly meant the P-47. The 47 was big, and was rather poor at turns with it's great weight and wignloading. The 51 was a big improvement compared to it in this regard.
In comparison to German fighters, it was fair. It was probably a match to the FW 190 in turns, and rather inferior to the 109 in turns, which is supported by Mark Hanna who flew both. In roll rate, it was completely inferior to the FW 190, and vs the 109 it was a mixed matter. The 51 had excellent roll rates at high speed, whereas the 109 was restricted in this regard, otoh the low speed rolling of the 109 was better.
Generally the controls of the 51 were light and responsive, a bit like the 190, but it's stall characteristics were not as docile as the 109s or other better behaving fighters.
In speed it was considerably faster than the FW 190A models, and about the same as the Dora-9. The 109s it again depends on model; the early 1943 G-6 models that Allied tests were performed against were of course, much slower. The high altitude 109Gs (/AS models, 109K, G-10) which begun to appear at about the same time as the Mustang were entirely comparable at all altitudes, ie. doing around 690-710 km/h max speed at around 7500 meters, same as the Mustang. Most 40-50 mph accounts are based on British tests with Mustang vs. '109G' and 'FW 190A', but the tested Axis planes were rather old, worn models not representative of the latest types the LW had entering service parallel to the Mustang.
The zoom climb there was little difference, both German models were good at zoom climbs, whereas in the dives the 51 had some advantage. In climbs the 109s easily outmatched it, esp later models, the 190A being about the same, perhaps poorer at altitude, the 190D being better at most altitudes. In dives the accounts are rather mixed,but generally there was not that much difference between WW2 fighters anyway as most would believe in this regard.
Firepower was a mixed matter. The 190A had clearly outclassed it. The 109G is a matter of taste, as a guideline the USN considered three .50 HMGs equal of one 20mm cannon (and the Germans had the advantage of the best cannon rounds, far better than that of the USN had). The P-51 models had either 4 (early models) or 6 x .50s. The 109s base armament was 1x20mm and 2x13mm HMGs, or about 5 HMGs as per the USN's formula - about the same firepower but in a different package. Generally the 'six-pack' of fifties was sufficient vs fighters, but I'd guess they were in for a headache in they'd have to intercept big bombers. The late MK 108 fitted 109s had an extremely devastating gun at their disposal, but it was somewhat balanced out by it's worse ballistics vs. fighters.
Overall, probably the best desrcription of the Mustang would be a fair, good over-all fighter that's best quality was speed and range, and was not exceedngly great or poor in any other regard. A jack of all trades, master of none.