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Old 12-28-2011, 05:33 PM
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CaptainDoggles CaptainDoggles is offline
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A lot of misleading statements on that website, like this gem:

Quote:
The P-51 could not be yawed and had to be flown at the target for its bullets to hit the target.
Or perhaps this one:

Quote:
Because of the fantastic handling characteristics of the Me109, the P-51 was not match for the Me109.


Making a blanket statement of two contemporary fighters like this is almost always false. I think at high altitude the two fighters were probably rather well-matched, but it's hard to make an accurate judgment because by 1944 the Luftwaffe was in a sorry state and I can't imagine many engagements occurred on equal terms. More likely the USAAF were gang-banging the Luftwaffe fighters from above with superior numbers.

Certainly as an interceptor the Bf 109 is far superior, and much data exists to support this conclusion. Similarly the P-51's design suits it well as an escort fighter. Plentiful small-calibre ammunition and lots of fuel. Its job is to force the interceptors down, away from the bombers it is protecting. Kills are a bonus.

Last edited by CaptainDoggles; 12-28-2011 at 05:36 PM.
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