P-38F vs Spitfire IX tactial trials

[Micdrow]

P-38F vs Spitfire IX tactile trials conducted by Australia

[FLYBOYJ]

Interesting.

[trackend]

I'm suprised that it was that close I would have put the P38 as considrabley
quicker in all fields

[SoD Stitch]

I noticed the P-38 throttled back to 2800 rpm at altitude; I'm wondering why he did that. At all other altitudes, both planes were turning over at 3000 rpm.

I also noticed they used an older P-38F; I think a P-38J or L would've been faster at all altitudes.

[trackend]

I would have thought it should be faster as its got nearly double the gee gee's.

[slaterat]

It was only a Merlin 61 spit 9.

Slaterat

[Sgt. Pappy]

Originally Posted by SoD Stitch

I noticed the P-38 throttled back to 2800 rpm at altitude; I'm wondering why he did that. At all other altitudes, both planes were turning over at 3000 rpm.

I also noticed they used an older P-38F; I think a P-38J or L would've been faster at all altitudes.

I think it might have something to do with the overheating of the Allisons. The P-38J, after all, used the same engine (V-1710-89/91) as the P-38H but the cooling of the P-38J allowed full power of the engines.