P-47 vs Fw-190,Spitfire,P-38,P-51

[Micdrow]

P-47 Data Comparison

Put this document together from a australian museum library. Its comparision data against other aircraft such as the Fw-190, Spitfire, P-38 and mustang.

Enjoy Micdrow

[gunbird]

Great document!thanx a lot~

[Th!rdeye]

Thanks a bunch! I'm enjoying reading all these articles and improving my IL-2 flying by using them.


I am suprised that the Mustang and P-47 turn about the same. And they say

"The Thunder can only evade the FW190 successfully by diving; it is out-classed in the climb and general manoeuvrability,...." (no surprise there)

But then it says

"......with the possible exception of combats at ground level."

That has to be wrong the Jug is a brick at low alts from everything i heard. But i also see in alot of guncams a p-47 shooting and taking down 190s towards the deck.

[drgondog]

Originally Posted by Th!rdeye

Thanks a bunch! I'm enjoying reading all these articles and improving my IL-2 flying by using them.


I am suprised that the Mustang and P-47 turn about the same. And they say

"The Thunder can only evade the FW190 successfully by diving; it is out-classed in the climb and general manoeuvrability,...." (no surprise there)

But then it says

"......with the possible exception of combats at ground level."

That has to be wrong the Jug is a brick at low alts from everything i heard. But i also see in alot of guncams a p-47 shooting and taking down 190s towards the deck.

Couple of points - these tests were conducted before the upgraded P-47D-10 was in theatre in Jan 1944 with increased Hp and Paddle blade props.

The Mustang was the P-51A with Allison engine - a far underperforming version to P-51B

[lesofprimus]

Good catch on the Mustang 51A Bill...

[Josh64]

Putting aside technical flight performance specs, Id thought I'd just reply by stating how the performance of each aircraft enabled it to succeed in its role. With a little personal opinion of course = )The P-51 is well known for being the aircraft that took the fight to the Luftwaffe on its own doorstep and destroying it as a fighting force. The P-47 is well known for being the aircraft that took the first American pilots into battle with the USAAF, doing a great job breaking the German's back, but having even more fame with the 9th AF in the Fighter-Bomber role. To compare the P-51 to the P-47 in the escort role, the P-51 with its longer range had the advantage, and performed beautifully from 1944 onwards. However you have to take into effect many things. In 1944 the Lufwaffe was a dying force, being pushed from both Western and Eastern Europe, and having lost many of its best pilots. This is when the USAAF P-51s really shined, but I'm not saying it was easy for the Mustang by any means It was a great fighter. In 1943 when the P-47 was the USAAF fighter of choice, Germany still ruled Europe's Skies. Therefore even though the Range of the Thunderbolt only allowed patrols into northern or western Germany for short periods, it still took a heavy toll on the Luftwaffe and showed that the Germans were not going to win easy, and slowly destroyed not only Me-109's, Fw-190's Me-410's etc. but German Morale as well. Now when talking about the two aircraft in the Fighter Bomber role, The P-47 wins in all categories. More firepower, heavier weapons load, and rugged as a tank. The P-51 did perform fighter bomber missions as well with great success, but in terms of its contribution in this role it was nothing like the Jug's. Also the ruggedness of the P-51 was like a peice of paper when compared to the P-47. Overall I do have to prefer the Thunderbolt over the Mustang, it flew over 500,000 missions and suffered the lowest losses per sortie of any allied airplane. It's toll on vehicles and personnel was unbeatable. And it did all this while also destroying 4,000 enamy aircraft in air to air combat.

[Josh64]

Originally Posted by drgondog

Couple of points - these tests were conducted before the upgraded P-47D-10 was in theatre in Jan 1944 with increased Hp and Paddle blade props.

The Mustang was the P-51A with Allison engine - a far underperforming version to P-51B

Good point, with all the improvements given to the P-47 and P-51, such as the P-47M and P-51k its difficult to fairly compare each airplane side by side in all categories of performance.

[flojo]

Originally Posted by drgondog

Couple of points - these tests were conducted before the upgraded P-47D-10 was in theatre in Jan 1944 with increased Hp and Paddle blade props.

The Mustang was the P-51A with Allison engine - a far underperforming version to P-51B

The report refers to the Mustang X which is to my knowledge the british prototype for the installation of the Merlin engine - so nearly comparable with a P51B in performance.