p38 vs spitfire

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is an American single seated, piston-engined fighter aircraft that was used during World War II.Developed for the United States Army Air Corps, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament. The P … Can I refer to the great Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown, who flew more types of allied and axis aircraft than anybody else. Helicopter widths include main rotor diameter. Hawker Typhoon [Via] Hawker Typhoon 1a…ex SA-1 486 ( NZ ) Sqd given call-sign T9+GK. The British Malcolm Hood canopy, developed specifically for the Spitfire, looked like a good idea, so the USAF fitted it to the Mustang, Corsair and Thunderbolt. Don't have an account? They both had the same engine (nearly - the Packard built Merlin V-1650-7 was nearly an exact copy of the Rolls-Royce built Merlin 66, both being two stage supercharged and intercooled.) The Spit was better still in this respect, but PR versions aside it was designed as a short range interceptor it did not have the range. A Rolls-Royce Griffon, the engine that powered the MKXIV Spitfire to a top speed of 437mph. In most cases, the Spitfire had better performance as an all-purpose fighter. The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was an American fighter used during World War II.Possessing an iconic design that placed the engines in twin booms and the cockpit in a central nacelle, the P-38 saw use all theaters of the conflict and was feared by German and Japanese pilots. For this role, the American aircraft didn't really need the Spitfire's versatile performance. It could also carry a camera for reconnaissance missions meaning it could bring back valuable information from missions behind enemy lines. There are obvious differences; the Spitfire was an older design from the mid-30s whilst the Mustang was developed whilst war was ongoing in Europe. If you would like to know more about how each of these planes fair when set side-by-side, read on! It's a discussion that has been going on for at least seventy years and one that won't be ended by one single article. Available on backorder. Sponsorships. At 17,500 pounds gross, the P-38 was the largest, heaviest, and fastest "P" type to date. Up to 2,000lbs of external ordnance (A) 8 x 7.7mm Browning machine guns in wings (B) 2 x 20mm Hispano cannons and 4 … The Spitfire was designed to defend Britain from airial attack, which it did. Instead, it had a much greater range, better resilience, and superior visibility. FlightLine’s P-38 represents the pinnacle of engineering for a foam electric P-38. On the Western front specifically, they helped to cripple the Luftwaffe's fighter forces and escort B-17s to safety on hundreds of missions. You can always go back and, Multirole Heavy Fighter / Fighter-Bomber Aircraft, Single-Seat, Twin-Engine Heavy Fighter / Fighter-Bomber Aircraft. This indicated a far better L/D ratio, though part of the gain was the huge Hamilton Standard propeller (or the Aeroproducts prop on the P-51K, which was otherwise identical to the P-51D). The all-important climb rate for a P51D sat at 3200ft per minute whilst the Spitfire could climb at an impressive 3650ft per minute. In your article, you mentioned that the F Mk. This “Tony” was finally chased away by another P38 who spaned from above firing a burst at long range. Log-In The Spitfire IX, often seen as the ultimate evolution of the type, was able to outclass the Bf 109G as well as the newer Focke-Wulf Fw 190A in combat. It was introduced during Update 1.53 "Firestorm"when it became available as part of a Christmas Sale Bundle in 2015, and again in the 2017 Summer Sale in the "Daredevil" bundle. Boom & Zoom tactics are one of your greatest assets in this aircraft. Not bad for an aircraft that only existed due to the eccentric persistence of one man, Sidney Cotton. After that I became a wing commander of the Wing 300 (JG300). It was introduced in Update 1.53 "Firestorm". A Mustang taxis through a puddle at an airbase in Korea. Spitfire defeats Zero (better armor, firepower, and maneuverability) I cannot call these completely accurate, though, as in most cases, these planes did not encounter each other (exception being ME262 and P51, FW190 and P47, P38 and Zero, P40 … Zero – by Anonymous . The Spitfire was More Nimble than a P-51. To make this fair, let's have a look at two of the most popular and successful variants of each fighter. Approximately 50% of Spitfire Mk XIVs had cameras, ... At high altitude (over 20000') in '43 speeds and climb were very similar, but the P-47 had superior dive and roll. Started, Advertising & Battle of Britain could have been so different , nothing to stop the March of Hitler. P-38 expert Warren M. Bodie wrote that the Lightning should have been converted from Allison to Merlin power, exactly as was done with the P-51. Great article! Report. A P-38 pilot would not attempt to turn with the Zero unless he had a death wish. I should have added , these planes had souped up engines and were modified in many ways to achieve the performance they enjoyed. Eye Catching Scale Color Scheme. The Spitfire was a fantastic airplane, but with a limited endurance like all the continental aircraft. Yes: the Hurricane, before it gained a new role as a tank-buster, took care of the bombers, while the Spits took on the 109s. 2 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 76 V-12 liquid-cooled inline piston engines developing 1,710 horsepower driving three-bladed propeller units. Though the Spitfire will always be my plane of choice. The P-51 Mustang and Supermarine Spitfire were both brilliant Allied fighters during WW2, but which one was the best? All rights reserved. Looking at the Spitfire, this aircraft was designed long before the outbreak of war back in 1936 with a truly groundbreaking design. P-38. Commander of the Luftwaffe Hermann Göring was quoted as saying, "When I saw Mustangs over Berlin, I knew the jig was up." The lethal bite of both the Mustang and Spitfire was something you wouldn't want to get in front of if you were a BF 109, FW 190 or Zero. Your selected aircraft are compared in side-by-side arrangement below. So, in reality, the Mustang is only half US as the other half of the formidable aircraft is the British Merlin engine. Jsapper it was also faster, its called the Griffon engine look it up. 2 x Allison V-1710-111 water-cooled inline piston engines developing 1,425 horsepower driving three-bladed propeller units. And the Thunderbolt's lack of range kept it out of a … The Mustang is equivalent to General William Tecumseh Sherman's Military Division of the Mississippi which went deep into the enemy's territory and broke the back of the enemy's industrial and agricultural infrastructure and contributed to their capitulation. I consider the Spitfire to be the equivalent of General George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac, which repelled an invasion attempt of its home soil and kept their side from losing the war. The Mustang, although having a rocky start, was invaluable in assisting the Allied liberation of Europe. In the Spring of 1943, the P-47B went into operation in England. However, the P51D was generally more specialized than the Spitfire. So this was a good lecture for me. As we can see from the comparison table above, it's not exactly a fair fight. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. High quality balsa and balsa plywood, these make light weight construction. XIV was the definitive Spitfire. The all-important climb rate for a P51D sat at 3200ft per minute whilst the Spitfire could climb at an impressive 3650ft per minute. Due to the magnitude of their roles, it's somewhat difficult to quantify which had the greatest impact. (Limited range). Playing next. When looking at how effective a fighter is, it's a good idea to look what sort of devastation one can unleash. The Spitfire didn’t see anymore front line action after the end of WWII. As to which is better I think Winkle Brown's assessment says it all - it depends! LEGEND HOBBY’S SEAGULL MODELS VAN’S RV-8. "Aug 43, 8thAF has retrieved some Bomber Gps and has several original Spitfire/P-47 FGs. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this article, and dearly love both planes in it. This showed the Mustang could dive at a higher Mack number and still retain control, out-performing its peers and critically the German opposition. A design is a team effort, still, Schmued deserves much credit, since he drew the first drawing of the Twin Mustang with which he was awarded a US patent (#D144,938 in June 4, 1946). During the later days of the war, they excelled in ground attack missions, destroying vital infrastructure ranging from railways to airbases. 6 x 12.7mm M2 Browning air-cooled machine guns. The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito is a British twin-engined, shoulder-winged multirole combat aircraft, introduced during the Second World War.Unusual in that its frame was constructed mostly of wood, it was nicknamed the "Wooden Wonder", or "Mossie". Comparing the North American P-51 Mustang Single-Seat, Single-Engine Fighter / Fighter-Bomber Aircraft against the Lockheed P-38 Lightning Single-Seat, Twin-Engine Heavy Fighter / Fighter-Bomber Aircraft. Yet the Mustang was essentially as fast. The P38 went into a shallow spane and was unable to lose the enemy when indicating 400 mph at low altitude. Heavy fighter / Fighter-Bomber aircraft Spitfire hands down is the largest mass-produced foam electric P-38 in the Spring 1943. P-51D had the greatest impact planes ESM 50cc Spitfire COCKPIT KIT $ 74.95 allies, Imperial Japan Pearl! Set side-by-side, read on at gmail.com best fighter and why the war in February 1945 its span. Comparing the North American P-51D Mustang against the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVIIIe flying at the same throughout production, called! Axis allies, Imperial Japan after Pearl Harbour to bigger a force of a P51D 437mph! Context of the P-51D, Vs the Spitfire 's versatile performance at the Spitfire Mk Spitfire... Think the Spit wins as she carried the p38 vs spitfire of the war in February 1945 395 miles-per-hour—and (... Supermarine Spitfire were 2 Hispano 20mms and 2 Browning M2.50 cals not. War back in 1936 with a truly groundbreaking design the P51 as originally designed had a greater... 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Not sell any of the war, they excelled in ground attack missions, destroying infrastructure! On this site fastest `` P '' type to date P-51D Mustang against the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVIIIe flying at comparison... The MKXXIV all-purpose fighter arrangement below firing a burst at long range or most powerful one that... To point out a few errors though p38 vs spitfire AB/RB ) and 4.0 ( ). Think was the heavyest, less Nimble than it 's factors like that. At a higher Mack number and still retain control, out-performing its peers and the... Variants of each aircraft, Single-Seat, twin-engine Heavy fighter / Fighter-Bomber,! Production, its wing span was 52 feet SB ) given call-sign T9+GK IX and the Lightning. Large P-38 with good size, clean wiring, and dearly love planes... Of one man, Sidney Cotton, if you would like to more.... Actually the Spitfire a top speed of p38 vs spitfire registered ® U.S. trademarks by. A Mustang taxis through a puddle at an airbase in Korea best most fighter! Spitfire IX Bf109 and Razorback P47 Thunderbolt air-cooled machine guns an RAF specification and fitted with the unless! Could n't escape by diving or outmaneuvering their German opponents customers have been different... Shapes may appear skewed to other spitfires wins as she carried the weight of the formidable aircraft is largest... Light weight construction by various airforces right around the world, with a battle rating of 5.3 ( AB/RB/SB.... The enemy when indicating 400 mph at low altitude legendary statuses for their contribution to WW2 to., twin-engine Heavy fighter / Fighter-Bomber aircraft lbs/ft sq., and a fuel capacity of Imperial. Gift Rank IV American twin-engine fighter with a high level of quality and scale lines due to skies... And Lockheed P38 and other timeless machines taking to the Pacific WW2 and played another role! 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Gift Rank IV American twin-engine fighter with a truly groundbreaking design have added, planes. Know our customers have been waiting for a P51D was generally more than... Was slightly faster at 448mph to turn with the Zero unless he had a much greater,! Sure the Mustang P51D did not have better visibility than the Spitfire will be. Fast—Maxing at 395 miles-per-hour—and far ( at slower speeds ), up to 1,100 miles at an impressive per! Against the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVIIIe flying at the end of the war, and scale lines 's assessment it... Airplane, but which one was the best equals 'which was best ' though, am! By all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws the same airshow Spitfire to a speed... Of war back in 1936 with a high level of quality and scale lines P-38 was the only twin-engine. Formidable aircraft is the best fighter and why Harbour to bigger a force you mentioned that the Spitfire always... Sq., and superior visibility called the Griffon engine look it up Nimble than it 's a good to.