#25
Post
by Tim Smith » 21 Oct 2003, 19:15
Getting off topic here, so I'll bring us back on.
The P-51B was the fighter that won the air war in the West during the critical period Jan 1944 to Jun 1944. After that the German fighter force had lost control of the air over Germany, was too weak to affect the outcome of the war, and always had more losses than victories, even though it fought right until the end. By the time the German jets and the superior Ta 152 arrived in strength in early 1945, the war was already lost.
The P-51 was superior overall to all versions of the Me109G. The P-51 was a lot (50 mph) faster than the 109G-6 and a little (10 mph) faster than the 109G-10. In turn rate, the P-51 was about equal to the 109G, but the P-51 could roll faster, which was an advantage in a dogfight. The 109G could normally climb a bit faster.
(The 109K-4 of late 1944 and 1945 was faster than the P-51, and was better overall than the P-51D.)
Compared to the Fw190A, the P-51 had a better turn rate, and was about 30 mph faster, but the 190A was more heavily armed and could roll a bit quicker. The P-51 had the advantage in rate of climb. The Fw190D turned and rolled slightly less well than the Fw190A, but reduced the P-51's speed advantage to just 10 mph, and could match the Mustang in a climb. Overall the P-51 was better in a dogfight than the Fw190A and about equal to the Fw190D.
(The Ta152C & Ta152H were better than the P-51 in all respects except turn rate, but only a few of them saw combat.)
The Me262 was 100mph faster than the P-51, but had terrible acceleration (leading to many being shot down on takeoff and landing). Plus the 262 turned and rolled like an Me110, thanks to the heavy engines hanging on its wings. The 262 was a twin engined heavy fighter, compared to single engined piston fighters. The 262 could not dogfight with the P-51, only hit and run attacks were feasible.