Quote:
Originally Posted by imaca
From "Wing Leader" by Johnny Johnson:
"Whatever these strange fighter were, they gave us a hard time of it. They seemed to be faster in a zoom climb than a 109....and they turned better than a Messerscmitt"
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Probably Johnson thought about manouverbility of Fw 190 - it mean that at all range speed Fw 190 could make bank turn more rapidly then 109. So initial turn in Fw 190 was better then 109. In sustained turn Fw 190 had no chance with 109. At high speed Fw 190 had adventage in turn over 109 but when speed drop 109 would be better. These is confirmed by other German reports ( also German Raport about Captured LA5FN).
Quote:
Originally Posted by imaca
"The 190 bore strange markings.. this pilot is an Italian!...With wide open throttle (note Gaston) I held the Spitfire in the tightest of shuddering vertical turns...the brute was gaining on me and in another couple of turns would have me in his sights"
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Johnson made some "vertical turns" in his Spitfire Mark V with "Fw 190" on his tail. We dont know if it was loops or maby high yoyo manouvers but definitly he didnt turn horizontaly. If he would do horizontal turns 190 would have no chance with Spitfire. Also at high speed things look little different. Fw 190 with his possibility to change direction of turn much quickly at high speed then Spit could turn initialy better but again when turn would be continued Spitfire would eat Fw 190 with easy.
Other British Ace Alan Deere reported that in some raid over France when his squadron of Spitfires Mark V was attacked by group of Fw 190 he said that the only thing what he could do was horizontal turns against Fw 190.
Also strange in Johhny story is that these "Focker" had italian marks? I wonder if during Diepe invasion there were Italian Fw 190s?