drgondog
Major
I didn't see a time stamp on the Poll but am reminded that the Spit actually achieved a higher Mach number than all the rest of the operational piston engine a/c during WWII, with the 51D and P-47D neck and neck in .8M range, but close to .85M 'ultimate' with the Spit XX (?) at .91M (??) IIRC.
Pretty sure the 51/47 both outdove the FW 190 and Me 109 (and F4U/F6F) but significant margins.
Neither the YP-38 nor any of the subsequent P-38s should be able to outdive either an FW 190 or Me 109 and certainly not a P-47/P-51. At 20,000 it accelerated quickly into .68-.71M and into almost immediate compressibility with complete loss of elevator capability to pull out until V=<.68M - usually at 5 to 9K.
Having stated this I have no idea regarding pre 1941 terminal dive tests fopr either the 109 or 190 so can't comment plausibly about the comparisons.
Pretty sure the 51/47 both outdove the FW 190 and Me 109 (and F4U/F6F) but significant margins.
Neither the YP-38 nor any of the subsequent P-38s should be able to outdive either an FW 190 or Me 109 and certainly not a P-47/P-51. At 20,000 it accelerated quickly into .68-.71M and into almost immediate compressibility with complete loss of elevator capability to pull out until V=<.68M - usually at 5 to 9K.
Having stated this I have no idea regarding pre 1941 terminal dive tests fopr either the 109 or 190 so can't comment plausibly about the comparisons.
