Is Spitfire relly superior to FW-190?

[mosquitoman]

What could the 190 be compared to then? A P-47 is probably the closest to it in terms of role

[cheddar cheese]

Yeah that would make sense.

[plan_D]

The Spitfire Mk.XIV is better than any Bf-109.

[cheddar cheese]

Agreed.

[mosquitoman]

Easily

[Chocks away!]

How about a K-4? comparable speed, climb rate,dives better...

[Soren]

Originally Posted by plan_D

The Spitfire Mk.XIV is better than any Bf-109.

The Spit XIV is overall "Slightly" better, yes.

However the Bf-109G-10 & G-14 would outturn the Spitfire Mk.XIV, and the K-4 would outrun it. So any 'one on one' confrontation with either of those 109's, would mean a hair raising fight for the Spit XIV.

[plan_D]

The K-4 couldn't out-turn it and the G-10 (G-14) couldn't out-run it, so the simple answer is the Spitfire Mk.XIV is better than any Bf-109.

[Soren]

Originally Posted by plan_D

The K-4 couldn't out-turn it and the G-10 (G-14) couldn't out-run it, so the simple answer is the Spitfire Mk.XIV is better than any Bf-109.

The K-4 might not be able to out-turn the Spit XIV, but it had a comparable turn rate to the Spit XIV, so the Spit XIV couldnt just outturn the K-4 either. The Fight would be a energy-fight, in which both a/c are roughly comparable, with the K-4 being slightly better in the dive and the Spit XIV slightly better in the climb. But as I see climbing being more advantageous than diving, I would rate the Spit XIV slightly better.

Against the Bf-109G-10 & G-14, the Spitfire Mk.XIV has to strictly rely on its speed and climb advantage, as dogfighting the Bf-109G-10 will most likely not end in the Spit's favor. The Spit XIV's most important "NO NO" against the G-10, is to try and T&B-fight it.
But by utilizing B&Z tactics however, the Spit XIV will slowly but surely gain the upper-hand over the G-10/G-14(Just like the 190A vs Spit V), and therefore I will again rate the Spit XIV slightly better.

So the simple answer is; The Spit XIV is overall 'slightly' better than the best of the Bf-109's.

[plan_D]

I've just read a report of tests between a Spitfire XIV and Fw-190A. Here's the basics;

Speed: From 0-5,000 feet [0-1525 metres] and between 15,000-20,000 feet [4573-6100 metres] the Spitfire XIV is only 20 mph [32 km/hr] faster than the FW190; at all other heights it is up to 60 mph [97 km/hr] faster.

Maximum Climb: The Spitfire XIV has a considerably greater rate of climb at all altitudes.

Dive: After the initial part of the dive, during which the FW 190 gains slightly, the Spitfire XIV has a slight advantage.

Turning Circle: The Spitfire XIV can easily turn inside the FW 190. In the case of a right-hand turn, this difference is not so pronounced.

Rate of Roll: The FW 190 is very much better.

Conclusions: In defence, the Spitfire XIV should us its remarkable maximum climb and turning circle against enemy aircraft. In the attack it can affort to 'mix it' but should beware of the quick roll and dive.
If this manoeuvre is used by a FW190 and the Spitfire XIV follows, it will probably not be able to close
the range until the FW190 has pulled out of its dive.

[Soren]

Originally Posted by plan_D

I've just read a report of tests between a Spitfire XIV and Fw-190A. Here's the basics;

Speed: From 0-5,000 feet [0-1525 metres] and between 15,000-20,000 feet [4573-6100 metres] the Spitfire XIV is only 20 mph [32 km/hr] faster than the FW190; at all other heights it is up to 60 mph [97 km/hr] faster.

Maximum Climb: The Spitfire XIV has a considerably greater rate of climb at all altitudes.

Dive: After the initial part of the dive, during which the FW 190 gains slightly, the Spitfire XIV has a slight advantage.

Turning Circle: The Spitfire XIV can easily turn inside the FW 190. In the case of a right-hand turn, this difference is not so pronounced.

Rate of Roll: The FW 190 is very much better.

Conclusions: In defence, the Spitfire XIV should us its remarkable maximum climb and turning circle against enemy aircraft. In the attack it can affort to 'mix it' but should beware of the quick roll and dive.
If this manoeuvre is used by a FW190 and the Spitfire XIV follows, it will probably not be able to close
the range until the FW190 has pulled out of its dive.

Eeerr... thats against a 190A-4 Plan_D

They can hardly be compared.

[plan_D]

Hey, it was information...plus they can because they did!

Is it right though?

[Soren]

Originally Posted by plan_D

Hey, it was information...plus they can because they did!

Oh dear

Originally Posted by plan_D

Is it right though?

Against the 190A-4, yeah, largely so.

It shouldnt be news to anyone that the Spit XIV was much superior to the Fw-190A-4.

[plan_D]

Alright, it's not really news to me that the XIV was better than the 190A...I've just never actually read a report on it.

Here's one on the IX vs. 190A...is it an A-4 again?

TheFW190 was compared with a fully operational Spitfire IX for speed and manoeuvrability at heights up to 25,000 feet [7620 metres].

At most heights the Spitfire IX is slightly superior in speed to the FW190 -
the approximate differences in speed are as follows:

At 2,000 ft [610 m] the FW 190 is 7-8 mph [11-13 km/hr] faster than the Spitfire
At 5,000 ft [1524 m] the FW 190 and the Spitfire are approximately the same
At 8,000 ft [2440 m] the Spitfire IX is 8 mph [13 km/hr] faster than the FW 190
At 15,000 ft [4573 m] the Spitfire IX is 5 mph [8 km/hr] faster than the FW 190
At 18,000 ft [5488 m] the FW 190 is 3 mph [5 km/hr] faster than the Spitfire IX
At 21,000 ft [6400 m] the FW 190 and the Spitfire are approximately the same
At 25,000 ft [7622 m] the Spitfire IX is 5-7 mph [8-11 km/hr] faster than the FW 190


Climburing comparative climbs at various heights up to 23,000 feet [7012 metres], with both aircraft flying under maximum continuous climbing conditions, little difference was found between the two aircraft although on the whole the Spitfire was slightly better.

Above 22,000 feet [6707 m] the climb of the FW 190 is falling off rapidly, whereas the climb of the Spitfire IX is increasing.

Dive: The FW 190 is faster than the Spitfire IX in a dive, particularly during the initial stage. This superiority is not as marked as with the Spitfire VB.

Manoeuvrability: The FW 190 is more manoeuvrable than the Spitfire IX except in turning circles.
The superior rate of roll of the FW 190 enabled it to avoid the Spitfire IX by turning over into a diving turn in the opposite direction.

The Spitfire IX's worst heights for fighting the FW 190 were between 18,000 and 22,000 feet [5486-6707m] and also below 3,000 feet [914m].

The initial acceleration of the FW 190 is better than that of the Spitfire IX under all conditions of flight, except in level flight at altitudes where the Spitfire has a speed advantage.

The general impression of the pilots involved in the trials is that the Spitfire Mark IX compares well with the FW 190. Providing the Spitfire IX has the initiative, it undoubtedly stands a good chance of shooting down the FW 190.

[Soren]

Yes, its the same Fw-190A-4.