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You have to look at many factors when discussing this. The p-38 was an earlier design and many of the advances that came after planes like the p-38 and p-47 where put into the p-51. On paper and often times in combat the p-51 looked better, but there are many variables. The p-51 did not fight the cream of the Japanese and German air forces like the p-47's and p-38's did. Even pilots who flew these planes can't agree on what the better plane was. They always based their decision on what plane got them a kill and what plane got them home.
Each of these planes had advantages over each other in different combat situations. For example the P-47 was a much better ground attack fighter than the P-51. It was a flying tank. The p-38 could fly missions over 2000 miles when equipped with drop tanks.
The Germans considered the p-38 a worthy fighter at altitudes less than 10,000 feet, but in the Pacific the zero would eat it up at that altitude. They would have to engage the zeros at higher altitudes to get good results.
The P-51 was almost two times cheaper to built than a P-38 and it's overall use as a fighter was better.
You have to look at many factors when discussing this. The p-38 was an earlier design and many of the advances that came after planes like the p-38 and p-47 where put into the p-51.
That seems a bit of a stretch since the development of the P-38 only preceded the P-51 by two years and occurred at the same time as the P-47. What I find to be a bit more historical is that the P-51 designed and produced for the R.A.F borrows more from the Spitfire than any American Aircraft and the plane would never have had as successful had the original Allison engine not been replaced by the British Merlin.
Location: miami, fla. enjoying the relative cool, for now ;)
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Originally Posted by Narcissus23
Just curious? I know both of these two planes were great fighters, and could be used a light bombers.
both were outsatnding designs. the P38 originally developed as a high altitude interceptor performed adequately in many roles including dive bombing. the p38 really showed it's worth in the pacific where it's good range and versatility served our military well. the two top scoring aces bong (40) and maguire (38) were both 38 drivers.
the pony however is arguably the best fighter to emerge out of WWII.
I'm a 109/190 guy. the germans produced better equipment and in my opinion the 190 owned everything in the hands of the right pilot.
the allied pilots won with sheer numbers, they basically ganged the enemy into submission.
Location: miami, fla. enjoying the relative cool, for now ;)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ovcatto
That seems a bit of a stretch since the development of the P-38 only preceded the P-51 by two years and occurred at the same time as the P-47. What I find to be a bit more historical is that the P-51 designed and produced for the R.A.F borrows more from the Spitfire than any American Aircraft and the plane would never have had as successful had the original Allison engine not been replaced by the British Merlin.
no, 68vette is correct the pony benefitted greatly by the use of the laminar flow wing which was not even really thought of in the spits, jugs or lightnings.
two years is a long time during wartime developement.
no, 68vette is correct the pony benefitted greatly by the use of the laminar flow wing which was not even really thought of in the spits, jugs or lightnings.
Ya think?
"The P-51 Mustang is the first aircraft every intentionally designed to use laminar flow airfoils. However, wartime NACA research data I have shows that Mustangs were not manufactured with a sufficient degree of surface quality to maintain much laminar flow on the wing. The RAE found that the P-63, despite being designed with laminar airfoils, also was not manufactured with sufficient surface quality to have much laminar flow."
"The Merlin-powered Spitfires used four different wing types, A through to D which had the same dimensions and plan but different internal arrangements of armament and fuel tanks. After introducing the Griffon, Supermarine recognized the need for a completely revised laminar-flow wing to facilitate even higher speeds made possible by this powerful engine. Starting with production Spitfire Mk 21, this wing became standard for post-war variants of this famous fighter.
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