Which is better: P-47 or Fw-190?

[syscom3]

OK, both planes are at 30,000 ft. How much fuel is left in both aircraft and how many minutes of flying remains?

If you dont have much fuel left to fight with, you might as well as stay on the ground.

[DAVIDICUS]

At 32,000 ft, I have read that the D-9 could only muster 397 mph. The "N" model P-47 could do 467 mph.

Even the "D" model though could do 429mph at that altitude.

[dinos7]

fw 190

[Soren]

Originally Posted by DAVIDICUS

The first and most obvious problem I see with the 3,100fpm initial climb rate for the P-47N is that is is below the widely accepted post paddle blade "D" model climb rate figure which you have cited.

It could be 3,150ft/min, that's a tiny bit more, I just said it would probably be 'around' the 3,100ft/min.

You must remember the -47N weighs about 2,000lbs more than the -47D, that's why I figure its climb rate was about equal or at most a tiny bit better than the -47D's.

[Soren]

Originally Posted by DAVIDICUS

At 32,000 ft, I have read that the D-9 could only muster 397 mph. The "N" model P-47 could do 467 mph.

Even the "D" model though could do 429mph at that altitude.

The -47's straight out speed is highly thanks to its low drag wing-design.

But yes, at high alt the -47 is superior to the D-9 in all but maneuverability.

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by syscom3

OK, both planes are at 30,000 ft. How much fuel is left in both aircraft and how many minutes of flying remains?

If you dont have much fuel left to fight with, you might as well as stay on the ground.

9 or 10 minutes to 30,000 - fuel burn, say about 50-75 GPH full power average both planes, P-47 carries over 300 gallons, -190 D9, 138 gallons, do the math, there's plenty of fuel left!

[DAVIDICUS]

The P-47M had the same wing as the P-47D. The only difference was that the "M" weighed 1,200lbs less and had the "C" series engine. Those two factors increased the top speed from 429 to over 470 miles per hour.

The "N" weighed about 2,000lbs more than the "D" but was still able to muster 467 miles per hour.

One thing we can all agree on is that the 2,800hp "C" series engine was a powerful performance enhancer.

[Soren]

Originally Posted by DAVIDICUS

One thing we can all agree on is that the 2,800hp "C" series engine was a powerful performance enhancer.

Certainly.

[Jank]

According to those tests with the captured 190, the P-47 would also out manuever a Fock Wulf at very low altitudes as well.

[Soren]

Originally Posted by Jank

According to those tests with the captured 190, the P-47 would also out manuever a Fock Wulf at very low altitudes as well.

That was a Fw-190"A", with a not properly working engine.

[DAVIDICUS]

Yes it was an "A" model. But for that matter, the the P-47 was a Razorback D-4 with the toothpick propeller.

The excerpt that people appear to sieze upon in asserting that the engine was not working properly is the following:

The engine seems to run rough at all times and the vibration transmitted through the control column almost completely destroys any feel of the flying characteristics.

But let's also not forget this other gem of an excerpt:

The FW-190 was in exceptionally good condition for a captured airplane, and developed 42 inches on take-off which is believed to be slightly above normal maximum boost

The fact that the engine "seemed" to run rough and vibrated may have been in part a reflection of the FW-190's engine's natural state of operation rather than an indication that the engine was not operating correctly. Radials were not as smooth as in-lines and the German radials were known to run rougher than the American radials.

[DAVIDICUS]

Originally Posted by Soren

The Spit's presented climb rate is with boost aswell.

Yes, 18lbs of boost. There was more boost available as I have seen 25lbs of boost on data before.

[syscom3]

Originally Posted by FLYBOYJ

9 or 10 minutes to 30,000 - fuel burn, say about 50-75 GPH full power average both planes, P-47 carries over 300 gallons, -190 D9, 138 gallons, do the math, there's plenty of fuel left!

OK.. so the P47 can enter combat with more fuel and can simply fly above the FW and wait untill the FW runs low on fuel and then pounce on it. If the FW manages to elude the P47, then the P47 dives away and zooms for altitude for another try.

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by syscom3

OK.. so the P47 can enter combat with more fuel and can simply fly above the FW and wait untill the FW runs low on fuel and then pounce on it. If the FW manages to elude the P47, then the P47 dives away and zooms for altitude for another try.

Now think about this - that P-47 already flew a few hundred miles to get over Germany, and still has to fly home. I know there's been performancce charts shown here, you could probably calcualte how long each aircraft could stay and fight.

[Sal Monella]

On the issue of the P-47-N's climb rate, I recall reading that in tests against the Hellcat, the P-47 showed a higher climb rate. The Hellcat's climb rate was 3,240 fpm.