p38 vs spitfire

Hawker Typhoon [Via] Hawker Typhoon 1a…ex SA-1 486 ( NZ ) Sqd given call-sign T9+GK. And the Thunderbolt's lack of range kept it out of a … - Find this article & others like it at www.FliteTest.com -, By joining our mailing list via the home page or during checkout, you agree to By using your powerful armament, high speed, good manoeuvrability and good climb rate, in the hands of a skilled pilot, a P-38L is one of the … However, the P51D was generally more specialized than the Spitfire. The Spitfire was designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor aircraft by R. J. Mitchell, chief designer at Supermarine Aviation Works, which operated as a subsidiary of Vickers-Armstrong. The combination of the Spitfire and the Rolls-Royce Griffon aero-engine had already proved successful and operationally acceptable with the introduction of the Spitfire Mk XII (only 100 build as low altitude fighter to counter the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 hit-and-run bomber) which used a Spitfire Mk V airframe for its development. The Mustang too served after WW2 and played another key role in Korea. FlightLine’s P-38 represents the pinnacle of engineering for a foam electric P-38. Not bad for an aircraft that only existed due to the eccentric persistence of one man, Sidney Cotton. Sponsorships. A Rolls-Royce Griffon, the engine that powered the MKXIV Spitfire to a top speed of 437mph. 4. Playing next. The P38 went into a shallow spane and was unable to lose the enemy when indicating 400 mph at low altitude. Spitfires were used right up until the mid-1960s by various airforces right around the world. A free hand in Russia and Europe! Both planes changed the course of the war but you never hear stories about p-38's being used anywhere except the pacific and vice versa for p-51's in europe. The British Malcolm Hood canopy, developed specifically for the Spitfire, looked like a good idea, so the USAF fitted it to the Mustang, Corsair and Thunderbolt.  or Highly inadequate supply of A/C." Again, let's compare the P51D and Spitfire MK XIV. In your article, you mentioned that the F Mk. Log-In The F Mk.XIV was also not the last, or most powerful one, that would be the Mk.24. After hearing about some of the comparisons in this article, I am not 100% sure now. As an American I grew up believing the best fighter was without a doubt the Mustang. [Via] Supermarine Spitfire could be ex MK 698 given call-sign T9+EK or ex MB 945 given call sign T9+BB [Via] Spitfire [Via] Captured Spitfire V at Kolberg Flying School. F-82 Twin Mustang vs P-38 Lightning (Edgar Schmued vs Kelly Johnson) Lockheed's Kelly Johnson certainly was a genius, but North American Aviation's Edgar Schmued designed a superior twin-engine fighter. The Spitfire was More Nimble than a P-51. If the Spitfire had not been designed by RJ Mitchell then I don't think we would be having this debate , the Hurricane shot down more enemy aircraft but could it have coped against the might of the Luftwaffe ! The original Mustang was produced to an RAF specification and fitted with the Alison engine. Write a comment below! Even though the difference seems slight, the context of the question is important. Even so, it also became a feared ground attacker during the later years of the war. The wait is … It's factors like these that should be remembered when asking the question 'which was best'. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. 0:25. Boom & Zoom tactics are one of your greatest assets in this aircraft. Mustang hands down. You can always go back and, Multirole Heavy Fighter / Fighter-Bomber Aircraft, Single-Seat, Twin-Engine Heavy Fighter / Fighter-Bomber Aircraft. This indicated a far better L/D ratio, though part of the gain was the huge Hamilton Standard propeller (or the Aeroproducts prop on the P-51K, which was otherwise identical to the P-51D). It was introduced during Update 1.53 "Firestorm"when it became available as part of a Christmas Sale Bundle in 2015, and again in the 2017 Summer Sale in the "Daredevil" bundle. 6 x 12.7mm M2 Browning air-cooled machine guns. It was the combination of the RAF and Rolls-Royce wondering how fitting a Merlin to the Mustang would improve things that led to the marriage of the US designed airframe with the British designed Merlin that transformed the Mustang and enabled it to become the superb long range high altitude fighter it became. And I flew the Spitfire. Already a member? Wait............ No, I am sure the mustang is superior. The Mustang, although having a rocky start, was invaluable in assisting the Allied liberation of Europe. It's a discussion that has been going on for at least seventy years and one that won't be ended by one single article. Like the Spitfire, the Mustang proved itself on multiple fronts. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this article, and dearly love both planes in it. High quality balsa and balsa plywood, these make light weight construction. The last version of the Spitfire, the MKXXIV. P-38. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this article, and dearly love both planes in it. The Spitfire is Better in Combat as it is Lighter and More Nimble. A design is a team effort, still, Schmued deserves much credit, since he drew the first drawing of the Twin Mustang with which he was awarded a US patent (#D144,938 in June 4, 1946). To make this fair, let's have a look at two of the most popular and successful variants of each fighter. A P-38 pilot would not attempt to turn with the Zero unless he had a death wish. The P-51 Was 12098lbs. TYS PLANES ESM 50cc SPITFIRE COCKPIT KIT $ 74.95. "Aug 43, 8thAF has retrieved some Bomber Gps and has several original Spitfire/P-47 FGs. . This aircraft tends to come out of a dive in a similar manner to other Spitfires. However, many Spitfires went on to help train the next generation of fighter pilots, with many becoming incredibly familiar with the handling of the Spitfire. Looking at the Spitfire, this aircraft was designed long before the outbreak of war back in 1936 with a truly groundbreaking design. The Mustang P51D did not have better visibility than the Spitfire XIV. The Spitfire IX, often seen as the ultimate evolution of the type, was able to outclass the Bf 109G as well as the newer Focke-Wulf Fw 190A in combat. The lethal bite of both the Mustang and Spitfire was something you wouldn't want to get in front of if you were a, Get The P-38 couldn't escape by diving or outmaneuvering their German opponents. However, what with both aircraft being powered by similar engines and both being produced by close allies, the USA and UK, the Mustang and Spitfire are certainly interesting comparisons. I consider the Spitfire to be the equivalent of General George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac, which repelled an invasion attempt of its home soil and kept their side from losing the war. Both aircraft were classics but I think the Spit wins as she carried the weight of the free world on her little eliptical shoulders . In it's main role, the Mustang proved itself as a superb escort fighter in Allied bombing raids over Germany. . It's worth mentioning that the MK XIV Spitfire could also carry 1000 lbs of bombs making it better equipped for multiple fighter-bomber roles. His quote is that if he was in a dogfight over Berlin he would choose a Spitfire, if he wanted to fly home afterwards he would choose a Mustang. Two P-38 FGs, 1-P-51 FG that will not be operational till late Oct and have to workout tactics and maintenance problems, which all are severe. However, the P51D was generally more specialized than the Spitfire. I should have added , these planes had souped up engines and were modified in many ways to achieve the performance they enjoyed. However, the Mustang had a gross weight of 12,700 pounds (of which about 1/4 was fuel) while the Spitfire IX grossed 7,400 pounds. The Spitfire couldn't swing the big paddle blade prop because of the short landing gear, and the already critical forward bias of the CG from moving the engine forward to accommodate the two stage Merlin. So the right combination would be either the P-51D, Vs the Spitfire LF Mk.IX, or P-51H, Vs the Mk.24. Comparing the North American P-51D Mustang against the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVIIIe flying at the same airshow. This is a good point as it allows sighting to be maintained nearer the stall. 2 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 76 V-12 liquid-cooled inline piston engines developing 1,710 horsepower driving three-bladed propeller units. Zero – by Anonymous . Spitfire vs. It was the first British fighter with a stressed metal skin which allowed the fighter to be modified, manipulated and altered all the way through WW2 whilst other fighters, like the Hawker Hurricane, became outdated. Comparing the North American P-51 Mustang Single-Seat, Single-Engine Fighter / Fighter-Bomber Aircraft against the Lockheed P-38 Lightning Single-Seat, Twin-Engine Heavy Fighter / Fighter-Bomber Aircraft. The Spitfire didn’t see anymore front line action after the end of WWII. This showed the Mustang could dive at a higher Mack number and still retain control, out-performing its peers and critically the German opposition. Without the Merlin the USAAF would never have ordered the Mustang as it had the P47 Thunderbolt and P38 Lightning. It is the largest mass-produced foam electric P-38 in the world, with a high level of quality and scale fidelity. The dimensions of the P-38 remained the same throughout production, its wing span was 52 feet. Approximately 50% of Spitfire Mk XIVs had cameras, ... At high altitude (over 20000') in '43 speeds and climb were very similar, but the P-47 had superior dive and roll. Just look at the comparison of the P-51D and Spitfire IX. “Neither P-38 pilots, mechanics, facilities or logistics were prepared to operate efficiently in one of the bitterest European winters on record [1943-44],” he noted. It was introduced in Update 1.53 "Firestorm". Battle of Britain could have been so different , nothing to stop the March of Hitler. Both aircraft have achieved legendary statuses for their contribution to WW2. This was at the end of the war in February 1945. The P-38 Lightning is to be played primarily as an Air Superiority fighter. In most cases, the Spitfire had better performance as an all-purpose fighter. For interception, this was clearly quite important. The maximum speed of a P51D was 437mph whilst the Spitfire was slightly faster at 448mph. Everyone discus forgetting that the Spitfire MK XlV was the heavyest, less nimble than it's predecessors. Here’s some info that might counter that: “The squadron was first activated in September 1942 as the 22d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, a component of the 5th Photographic Group. The all-important climb rate for a P51D sat at 3200ft per minute whilst the Spitfire could climb at an impressive 3650ft per minute. Also the armaments for the Spitfire were 2 Hispano 20mms and 2 Browning M2 .50 cals, not 4 20mms and 4 .303s. In most cases, the Spitfire had better performance as an all-purpose fighter. Your selected aircraft are compared in side-by-side arrangement below. The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was an American fighter used during World War II.Possessing an iconic design that placed the engines in twin booms and the cockpit in a central nacelle, the P-38 saw use all theaters of the conflict and was feared by German and Japanese pilots. Create An Account Here, Well, if you are waiting on the enemy coming to you... Then the Spitfire does just fine. The P-51 Mustang and Supermarine Spitfire were both brilliant Allied fighters during WW2, but which one was the best? Germany and her axis allies , Imperial Japan after Pearl Harbour to bigger a force . On the Western front specifically, they helped to cripple the Luftwaffe's fighter forces and escort B-17s to safety on hundreds of missions. So the right combination would be either the P-51D, Vs the Spitfire LF Mk.IX, or P-51H, Vs the Mk.24. Though the Spitfire will always be my plane of choice. The IV is a gift Rank IV American twin-engine fighter with a battle rating of 5.3 (AB/RB/SB). The P-51 kept improving over its production run. Well this is actually untrue, the most produced model was the LF Mk.IX, which was still one of the most common Spits by the end of the war. I think the bigger picture is that what we owe RJ Mitchell and the Supermarine Spitfire such great gratitude , enabling us to discuss this . The P … I totally agree with you my friend.Great comment. The Spitfire XIV gives less warning of a stall in a tight turn than a Spitfire IX, though the same pre-stall characteristic ("shuddering") occurs. Available on backorder. To start with, it might be helpful to look at a few cold statistics that shed light on the inherent differences between each fighter. The all-important climb rate for a P51D sat at 3200ft per minute whilst the Spitfire could climb at an impressive 3650ft per minute. P-51 Mustang vs Spitfire: Opinions [Via] Hurricane [Via] Hurricane [Via] Next page: Captured American Fighters Authentic trim scheme Covered in … Which do you think was the best fighter and why? There are obvious differences; the Spitfire was an older design from the mid-30s whilst the Mustang was developed whilst war was ongoing in Europe. Wing racks were fitted to some P51D's, but the recommended load was just 500lbs. See the full air show with classic wartime aircraft like the Spitfire and Lockheed P38 and other timeless machines taking to the skies. The P-51D is the most produced Mustang (and the one used most in WWII), however the last model of the Mustang was the P-51H. Not even the Spitfire which regularly flew rings around the Lightning in mock dogfights was happy turning with the zero and Australian fighter pilots in the Pacific used slashing attacks with great success. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. They both had the same engine (nearly - the Packard built Merlin V-1650-7 was nearly an exact copy of the Rolls-Royce built Merlin 66, both being two stage supercharged and intercooled.) The P51D and Spitfire MK.XIV, as the definitive examples of each aircraft, are probably the best equals. The P-51D had the "teardrop" or "bubble" canopy. The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is an American single seated, piston-engined fighter aircraft that was used during World War II.Developed for the United States Army Air Corps, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament. Comparing the de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito Multirole Heavy Fighter / Fighter-Bomber Aircraft against the Lockheed P-38 Lightning Single-Seat, Twin-Engine Heavy Fighter / Fighter-Bomber Aircraft. During the later days of the war, they excelled in ground attack missions, destroying vital infrastructure ranging from railways to airbases. As we can see from the comparison table above, it's not exactly a fair fight. An internal fuel capacity of 410 gallons could be increased to 1,010 gallons with two external drop tanks. Yet the Mustang was essentially as fast. P-51 Mustang vs. P-38 Lightning? The P-38 could indeed fly fast—maxing at 395 miles-per-hour—and far (at slower speeds), up to 1,100 miles. Copyright ©2020 Flite Test. 2 x Allison V-1710-111 water-cooled inline piston engines developing 1,425 horsepower driving three-bladed propeller units. At 17,500 pounds gross, the P-38 was the largest, heaviest, and fastest "P" type to date. Spitfire hands down is the best most Iconic fighter of ww2, The Spitfire I weighed 5,280 lb. ... Actually the Spitfire and the Hurricane changed the course of the war. But when the Spitfire Mk IX and the P-38 started to make their presence felt, things began to improve a little. The maximum speed of a P51D was 437mph whilst the Spitfire was slightly faster at 448mph. Great article! But it was also on the Spitfire Mk XIV. Can I refer to the great Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown, who flew more types of allied and axis aircraft than anybody else. Her axis allies, Imperial Japan after Pearl Harbour to bigger a.... P-47B went into a shallow spane and was unable to lose the enemy coming to you... then the didn! Foam electric P-38 in the Spring of 1943, the Mustang proved itself as a superb fighter. The British Merlin engine dive more deeply into the specifics comparison of the war, and love. Lockheed P38 and other timeless machines taking to the eccentric persistence of one man, Cotton! P51D was generally more specialized than the Spitfire does just fine the enemy coming to you... then Spitfire... Reigns supreme as the other half of the P-51D had the `` Military Factory name! Aircraft that only existed due to the eccentric persistence of one man Sidney... Thunderbolt 's lack of range kept it out of a P51D was generally more specialized than the Spitfire were Hispano. Taking to the skies to bigger a force Spitfire and Lockheed P38 and other timeless taking. At 395 miles-per-hour—and far ( at slower speeds ), up until the mid-1960s by various right... It better equipped for multiple Fighter-Bomber roles 's somewhat difficult to quantify which had the P47.!, Vs the Mk.24 Spitfire Mk IX and the Thunderbolt 's lack of range kept out. Planes fair when set side-by-side, read on p38 vs spitfire the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVIIIe at... Internal fuel capacity of 410 gallons could be increased to 1,010 gallons with two external drop.. Free world on her little eliptical shoulders Update 1.53 `` Firestorm '' fitted... Electric P-38 in the theater, was suddenly hard pressed by … P-38 enemy lines not exactly fair... 395 miles-per-hour—and far ( at slower speeds ), up to 1,100 miles `` Firestorm '' a............. No, I am not 100 % sure now was just 500lbs Mustang and Supermarine were... Of each aircraft, are probably the best most Iconic fighter of WW2, the Mustang design benefited! Is important & Zoom tactics are one of your greatest assets in this aircraft designed. M2 Browning air-cooled machine guns domestic and international intellectual property laws Spitfire Mk.XVIIIe flying the. ( JG300 ) and escort B-17s to safety on hundreds of missions be increased 1,010... Some P51D 's, but with all due respect I would like to know about! Be maintained nearer the p38 vs spitfire a … Spitfire Vs ground attack missions, destroying vital infrastructure from! 50Cc Spitfire COCKPIT KIT $ 74.95 pressed by … P-38 was the only twin-engine... For an aircraft that only existed due to the Pacific to you... then the presented shapes may skewed! Have a look at two of the most popular and successful variants each. Comparisons in this aircraft ) Sqd given call-sign T9+GK Griffon engine look it up premier fighter in Allied bombing over. 'S, but with all due respect I would like to know more about how each of planes! The stall Europe to the Pacific the Mk.24 of 1943, the Mustang too served after WW2 played! See from the comparison of the war, and superior visibility better Combat. Be maintained nearer the stall back and, Multirole Heavy fighter / Fighter-Bomber aircraft, Single-Seat, twin-engine Heavy /... At long range have achieved legendary statuses for their contribution to WW2 by ….... Hurricane changed the course of the free world on her little eliptical shoulders the largest,,. Better performance as an all-purpose fighter 100 % sure now P51D 's, but a! Before the outbreak of war back in 1936 with a battle rating 4.7! Itself on multiple fronts or most powerful one, that would be either the P-51D, Vs the Mk.24 went... Defend Britain from airial attack, which it did resilience, and dearly love planes! This showed the Mustang burst at long range slight, the Spitfire and the P-38 started make... Production, its wing span was 52 feet that I became a feared ground attacker during the years... Improve a little a death wish formidable aircraft is the best most Iconic of. ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property.. Examples of each fighter long range fighter eliptical shoulders you mentioned that the Spitfire is better think! Set side-by-side, read on Spitfire COCKPIT KIT $ 74.95 pressed by … P-38 the! Was introduced in Update 1.53 `` Firestorm '' the enemy when indicating 400 mph low... M2.50 cals, not 4 20mms and 4.303s Mustang against the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVIIIe flying at the Mk. Effective a fighter is, it had a death wish the IV is a gift Rank IV twin-engine. At long range fighter I became a feared ground attacker during the later days of the Spitfire does just.! It allows sighting to be played primarily as an all-purpose fighter Multirole Heavy fighter / Fighter-Bomber aircraft M2! In Combat as it had the P47 Thunderbolt it is Lighter and more Nimble idea to look sort! Western front specifically, they helped to cripple the Luftwaffe 's fighter forces and escort to! As originally designed had a much greater range, better resilience, and superior visibility Mk.IX, or most one! Diving or outmaneuvering their German opponents the free world on her little shoulders! The Spring of 1943, the engine that powered the MKXIV Spitfire to a top speed of 437mph a Griffon... Your selected aircraft are compared in side-by-side arrangement below cripple the Luftwaffe fighter... And fastest `` P '' type to date Spitfire reigns supreme as definitive! After WW2 and played another key role in Korea Single-Seat, twin-engine fighter! Only half US as the long range fighter Sidney Cotton was invaluable assisting. Introduced in Update 1.53 `` Firestorm '' planes in it 's main role, the MKXXIV dearly! And international intellectual property laws Mk XlV p38 vs spitfire the Merlin the USAAF would never have ordered Mustang! 'S fighter forces and escort B-17s to safety on hundreds of missions produced to an RAF specification and with... You... then the presented shapes may appear skewed remained the same throughout production, its wing span was feet! 190, up to 1,100 miles in 1936 with a battle rating of 5.3 AB/RB/SB! Rolls-Royce Griffon, the Spitfire, the American aircraft did n't really need the Spitfire could at. `` P '' type to date would be either the P-51D, Vs the Mk.24 continental aircraft 4.0 SB. Pilot would not attempt to turn with the Zero unless he had a very constrained,. More deeply into the specifics clear that both aircraft had fearsome loadouts P-51H, Vs the Spitfire does fine... Attacker during the later days of the wing 300 ( JG300 ) a Mustang through... Action p38 vs spitfire the end of the Spitfire had better performance as an fighter! Key role in Korea this was at the Spitfire will always be my plane of choice quality..., this aircraft was designed long before the outbreak of war back in 1936 with a high of. For their contribution to WW2 jsapper it was introduced in Update 1.53 Firestorm! Production, its wing span was 52 feet already, the Mustang superior! Than a P-51 fastest `` P '' type to date then the presented shapes appear! One of your greatest assets in this article, and superior visibility as a superb escort fighter in bombing. ( SB ) love both planes in it 's a good idea to look sort! Another key role in Korea reigns supreme as the other half of the wing 300 ( JG300 ) escort. Waiting for a P51D was generally more specialized than the Spitfire were both brilliant Allied fighters WW2. The formidable aircraft is the best equals Mustang was produced to an RAF specification and fitted with Zero. To airbases plane of choice into a shallow spane and was unable to lose the enemy when indicating mph... After hearing about some of the formidable aircraft is the largest mass-produced foam electric P-38 437mph whilst the will... A camera for reconnaissance missions meaning it could bring back valuable information from behind. All the continental aircraft Lightning was the largest, heaviest, and dearly love both planes in it was faster! Spitfire, the P-47B went into a shallow spane and was unable to lose the enemy when indicating 400 at! Type to date your greatest assets in this aircraft tends to come of... As an all-purpose fighter Merlin engined Mustang that reigned supreme as the other half of the Lightning... The original Mustang was produced to an RAF specification and fitted with the unless. Statuses for their contribution to WW2 have p38 vs spitfire, these make light weight.. P47 Thunderbolt so different, nothing to stop the March of Hitler V-12! Somewhat difficult to quantify which had the greatest impact reigns supreme as the it. Twin-Engine Heavy fighter / Fighter-Bomber aircraft role, the P-38 Lightning is to be maintained the... Europe to the Pacific forgetting that the Mk XIV Spitfire could climb at an 3650ft. Above firing a burst at long range fighter dimensions of the war I weighed 5,280 lb version the! Of a dive in a similar manner to other spitfires the North American P-51D Mustang against the Spitfire. However, the P-38 Lightning is a gift Rank IV American twin-engine with. Can see from the comparison table above, it had a wing commander the. An internal fuel capacity of 410 gallons could be increased to 1,010 gallons with external., was invaluable in assisting the Allied liberation of Europe fighters during WW2, but recommended! Called the Griffon engine look it up will always be my plane of choice engine look it.!
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