[Boomerang]

Art and Crumpp:

Thank you for the observations based on actual experience.

I found it interesting that your threads gave quite different perspectives on the ability (or otherwise) of the Fw 190A to outrun Allied fighters on the deck.

Variations in the performance of individual aircraft of the same type and possible reasons for such variations were themes earlier in the discussion. This made me recall (another!) quote from The JG 26 War Diary Vol Two: '...was chased and caught by Lt. Paul Jasper, whose P 47D-16 was 15-20 mph faster than any other aircraft in his squadron owing to his crew chief's initiative in sanding, waxing and polishing it.'

Clearly, it is impossible to assess the reliabity of the cause and effect relationship set out in this statement. What is striking, however, is the statement that one aircraft was significantly faster than the others in the squadron. This is entirely consistent with the idea that there were considerable variations between the performances of aircraft of the same type.

Regards

Don W