P-47 Actions 29 Mar 44 near Berlin

[drgondog]

Franek - two points.

One you are actually correct about a Mustang outdiving a P-47 depending on model - but I really was referring to Fw 190 and 109 vs P-47 in a dive and should have been more explicit in my comments.


For the second point, I am aware of the results of tests done by USAAF at Wright Pat in comparisons of the P-51B versus Spit IX, Fw 190D, P-47D-10 and the Bf 109G12 - and the Mustang outdove all of them to varying degrees. In the case of the 47D it intially opened a gap and then the 47 matched the dive. In addition, the P-51B slightly out accelerated the P-51D in all envelopes because of the greater weight of the 51D.

I read a similar report on the P-47M versus the P-51D and the report stated that on initial nose over the 51 opened a slight gap but the P-47M closed and then moved ahead.. I will try to dig up the report so that this discussion does not remain hearsay.

Also, I have never seen a comparison of the P-51B vs the P-47D-25 or other versions which had the 'Paddle Blade' modifications that went into combat in January 1944.

Do you know which versions of Spit, Jug and Mustang were used by the Germans to conduct their tests and under which circumstances?