Bf 109 vs. Spitfire production costs
 

Years ago George Hopp posted here (or some other LW forum) a German analysis comparing Bf 109 and Spitfire manufacturing the analysis finding the Spitfire cheaper to build. Anyone with Hopp's document or his full post?

Re: Bf 109 vs. Spitfire production costs
 

According to the book The Decisive Duel: Spitfire Vs 109, the Bf 109 required less man-hours (i.e., for the Bf 109 G produced by Messerschmitt, the figure was only 4,500 man-hours, excluding herewith the equipment (radios) and armament) to manufacture than Spitfire, so on the face of it, 109 would be cheaper to build.

Re: Bf 109 vs. Spitfire production costs
 

I don't trust that book. Plus I am looking for the document Hopp posted and his commentary.

Re: Bf 109 vs. Spitfire production costs
 

It was undoubtedly cheaper (in money terms) to build a 109 since the Germans were using foreign forced labour and slavery on a massive scale.

Re: Bf 109 vs. Spitfire production costs
 

The Spitfire is know as an industrial nightmare (more than 10,000 man-hours IIRC) so I would also like to see what would made the Spitfire cheaper than the Bf 109, particulary after what said the aformentioned book.

Re: Bf 109 vs. Spitfire production costs
 

What have you found that is incorrect in the book?

Bruce

Re: Bf 109 vs. Spitfire production costs
 

Then take a look at Rüdiger Kosin's The German Fighter since 1915. He also criticizes 109 structure as difficult to construct. And given Kosin's background, I believe him over David C. Isby any day.

The document George Hopp quoted was based on the assumption of the Spitfire being built by German industry. This makes the comparison much more valid.

Re: Bf 109 vs. Spitfire production costs
 

What have you found in the book 'The Decisive Duel: Spitfire Vs 109' to be incorrect?

Re: Bf 109 vs. Spitfire production costs
 

It's a long time since I read samples of the book, but my instant reaction at that time was "Oh no, another regurgitation without archival research".

Re: Bf 109 vs. Spitfire production costs
 

I am glad to tell you that there was a great deal of archival research put into the book. There are 53 pages of source notes at the end giving many, many file refs.