The Greatest Fighter Pilot in WW II???

[wmaxt]

Another story I heard was once when he was basicly traped by 5 Zero's and a small cloud called for help with the following statement "Come on down and join me.. I got 5 Zero's cornered here".

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I would say that the Fw-190D, Ta-152, P-51D, P-38L, Me-309 (if it had reached combat service) were atleast equal to the Spitfire. The later Mosquitos also handled really well and just maybe at low alltitudes could dogfight just as well as a Spit. Again I am not trying to dog the Spit, I am just saying that there were aircraft that were atleast equal or better.

[lesofprimus]

I dont think I would say the P-51D was BETTER than the Spitfire Mk IX... With a pilot that knew how to fly it, i would say it was a close equal....

I agree with u on the -190D, -152H, and possibly the -38L....

[plan_D]

The Spitfire was quite clearly better than the Mustang in a dogfight, and yes the P-51D. In a dogfight it would walk all over it. The only one that I see would match the Spitfire would be the 190D-9 and even then the Spit Mk. XIV had many advantages over it...still couldn't out roll the little bugger.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

That is all I said that the P-51D was atleast an equal. Again I am not saying that the Spitfire was not a great dogfighter. I just think that there were aircraft that were just as good and in my personal opinion it was not the best. I like the Ta-152 and the P-51D for dogfighting.

[plan_D]

You might like the P-51D but it doesn't make it even an equal dogfighter with the Spit.

[lesofprimus]

Again I am not saying that the Spitfire was not a great dogfighter.

I think we all understand this now DerAdler hehe......

I like the Ta-152 and the P-51D for dogfighting.

I certainly hope ur not saying the P-51D was a better dogfighter than the -190D9......

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The P-51D is not my fav aircraft I am just saying that in my personal opinion I think it was an equal to the Spit.

[plan_D]

Really though opinion doesn't come into this. In a dogfight the Spit wins hands down. We're not talking aircraft ability here 'cos we all know the Mustang had much better range...

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

No I think the 190D was a great dogfighter but I still stick to my guns about the Ta-152. She was a superb aircraft and I think would have put some brown stains in the underwear of the Spit flyers had it come out a bit earlier.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Okay you may win on the P-51D however like I said I am sticking to my guns on the 190D and the Ta-152.

[lesofprimus]

yes the P-51D. In a dogfight it would walk all over it.

That Im not too sure about buddy... I think that if both pilots were experienced Aces, the combat would be closer than u are implying.... Probably pretty even win %.... The -51D was a hell of a plane planD..... So was the Mk XIV....

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

As you all say the Spit XIV may have been a better dogfighter than the P-51D but it was not a walk in the park to beat even for the Spit. I agree with you on that Les. I will concede defeat thought that the Spit was better than the P-51D in dogfighting but not the Fw-190D or Ta-152.

[plan_D]

I'm not saying the P-51 was a poor plane but it is a fact that the Spit. Mk. XIV was a better dogfighter. The Ta-152 and -190D-9 were both brilliant aircraft but the Mk. XIV could still safely tangle with them and more than likely come out on top.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Any how I need to go to sleep I have a really long day tomorrow. If I dont get to come online tomorrow or the next day and I am sure you all wont since its Christmas, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and enjoy the hollidays.