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View Full Version : Who would have won this matchup?: Swallow VS. Meteor


mattmanB182
01-28-2010, 06:33 AM
Its an interesting matchup I have been thinking about for some time.

I think the 262 would have the edge because of the swept wings and a seemingly better aero design.

I would think it was faster and more manouverable. I could be wrong.

Which would have won more often then not had the war continued.

note: I understand the quality of the pilot is the most important aspect, which is why this thread is machine vs machine in a 10 engagement matchup...in other words..which do you think would win the majority of the time?

Also worth noting: The Swallow was going to be equipped with air-to-air rockets had the war continued.

Steyr_amr
01-28-2010, 02:55 PM
It is an interesting thought.

The straight wings would likely give the Meteor an advantage at lower levels, but at combat altitudes it's hard to know.

The Meteor's centrifugal-flow engines were also hardier than the axial-flow units in the German aircraft, which had very short service lives indeed. They had the same problems as the Tiger tanks, wondeful machine, impressive engineering, but a damn pain to keep maintained compared to their counterparts under field conditions. (Though if we are talking about a 'what-if' scenario I guess you could surmise that the Germans had the alloys necessary to make the engines reliable.)

The 262 was fitted with the R4M to use against bombers, and they were effective, though I don't think they'd be much use in a dogfight. The Mk108 cannons in the nose also had a low muzzle velocity and a very steep trajectory. I imagine trying to shoot down a fighter doing ~450mph would be incredibly difficult.