P-51D vs. Spitfire IX

[NevadaK]

Ok, I'm in a kick the hornet's nest, touch the third rail, throw kerosene on the fire kind of mood this morning. No college football, California is still burning so no photography, hotter than blazes. You get the idea. So here goes.

It's often stated here that the Spitfire is more maneuverable than the Mustang, but I've also come across the opinion that the Mustang was "better faster" So, the question for the esteemed membership of this forum is this: is the myth of the Sptifire being all superior factual? To illustrate my question I am attaching this diagram. (Yes, I know it was generated from a sim profile but its the best I got)

For equity purposes lets keep it with the P-51D/Spitfire Mk IX comparison. If you want to go Spitfire Mk XIV then you need to go with the comparable generating Mustang the P-51H.

 

[SaparotRob]

Ok, I'm in a kick the hornet's nest, touch the third rail, throw kerosene on the fire kind of mood this morning. No college football, California is still burning so no photography, hotter than blazes. You get the idea. So here goes.

It's often stated here that the Spitfire is more maneuverable than the Mustang, but I've also come across the opinion that the Mustang was "better faster" So, the question for the esteemed membership of this forum is this: is the myth of the Sptifire being all superior factual? To illustrate my question I am attaching this diagram. (Yes, I know it was generated from a sim profile but its the best I got)

View attachment 594105

For equity purposes lets keep it with the P-51D/Spitfire Mk IX comparison. If you want to go Spitfire Mk XIV then you need to go with the comparable generating Mustang the P-51H.

I believe you may have pried apart the portals of pandemonium.

 

[Deleted member 68059]

It's often stated here that the Spitfire is more maneuverable than the Mustang, but I've also come across the opinion that the Mustang was "better faster"

For equity purposes lets keep it with the P-51D/Spitfire Mk IX comparison.

I do not know the answer, but I can contribute a 1944 AFDU report on Mustang III vs IX. Perhaps it may be at least useful, although its a Mustang C, not a D.

 

[SaparotRob]

Was there a significant weight difference between the P-51C and the P-51D?

 

[buffnut453]

I'm thinking this should be a thread of its own...it has the feel of a topic that could run to many pages.

 

[rochie]

Ok, I'm in a kick the hornet's nest, touch the third rail, throw kerosene on the fire kind of mood this morning. No college football, California is still burning so no photography, hotter than blazes. You get the idea. So here goes.

It's often stated here that the Spitfire is more maneuverable than the Mustang, but I've also come across the opinion that the Mustang was "better faster" So, the question for the esteemed membership of this forum is this: is the myth of the Sptifire being all superior factual? To illustrate my question I am attaching this diagram. (Yes, I know it was generated from a sim profile but its the best I got)

View attachment 594105

For equity purposes lets keep it with the P-51D/Spitfire Mk IX comparison. If you want to go Spitfire Mk XIV then you need to go with the comparable generating Mustang the P-51H.

Oh my God !
What have you done, are you out of your frikken mind !!!!!!!!

 

[XBe02Drvr]

Oh my God !
What have you done, are you out of your frikken mind !!!!!!!!

Just when we thought we'd "buried the hatchet", someone's gotta toss their powder horn in the fire!
Listen...it's the Voice...!

 

[Marcel]

OMG they are talking about the flimsy Spitfires again..... TERRY!!!!

 

[fastmongrel]

The Spitfire could beat a Mustang in a fair fight most of the time. However if you're in a fair fight your doing it wrong and a Mustang did it's fighting beyond the range of any Spitfire with guns.

 

[Marcel]

The Spitfire could beat a Mustang in a fair fight most of the time. However if you're in a fair fight your doing it wrong and a Mustang did it's fighting beyond the range of any Spitfire with guns.

You're sure? Try that fight over Berlin and try again

 

[fastmongrel]

You're sure? Try that fight over Berlin and try again

I did say
Mustang did it's fighting beyond the range of any Spitfire with guns.

 

[GrauGeist]

NOTHING could beat this Spitfire...

 

[pbehn]

From what I read, P-51 pilots found the Spitfire a real handful in mock combats coming back from escort missions, but they weren't actually trying to kill each other, turning climbing and rolling is probably more fun than boom and zoom. For the sake of comparison the Mk IX had the same engine as the P-51D but the Mk XIV spitfire was in service before the P-51D The first production Spitfire Mk XIV was flown by Quill in Oct 1943 and it was in service in December with 610 squadron.

 

[fastmongrel]

NOTHING could beat this Spitfire...

View attachment 594134

The markings increase speed by at least 20%. RAF roundels are so heavy and draggy

 

[Airframes]

And the Luftwaffe camouflage paint makes the airframe much less flimsy, and increases speed and range ......................

 

[pbehn]

The markings increase speed by at least 20%. RAF roundels are so heavy and draggy

Almost as much as an England football shirt, which seems to weigh about 150KG.

 

[XBe02Drvr]

RAF roundels are so heavy and draggy

Almost as much as an England football shirt, which seems to weigh about 150KG.

"Ah rolled inta Nazareth,
feelin bout half past dead..."

 

[swampyankee]

And the Luftwaffe camouflage paint makes the airframe much less flimsy, and increases speed and range ......................

They also increase weapons accuracy. The highest scoring German aces had their guns modified to single shot configuration to make their hunts more sporting.

 

[fastmongrel]

Almost as much as an England football shirt, which seems to weigh about 150KG.

They make the goal shrink as well, especially during a penalty shoot out.

 

[rochie]

NOTHING could beat this Spitfire...

View attachment 594134

Absolutely the greatest spitfire that ever flew