View Single Post
  #1  
Old 07-14-2012, 08:18 AM
Sammi79 Sammi79 is offline
Approved Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 124
Default The 'Great Debate' - Spitfire vs BF109

As suggested by FS~Phat in the performance testing thread, here is a thread to debate the relative merits and failings of these two most famous aircrafts. Hopefully this will allow the performance testing threads to fulfill their function whilst at the same time providing a space for people to post their own opinions regarding this evidently touchy subject.

To get the ball rolling, I will start.

All the evidence I have seen, which is mostly anecdotal suggests that; during the Battle of Britain, the early marks of both aircraft were very similar in performance, so similar in fact that victory was nearly always the result of things not related to the aircraft themselves, like pilot skill, numbers of aircrafts and tactical advantages (altitude, fuel, etc.) In terms of their relative performances however, I think it is safe to say a few things.

The Spit turns slightly better (smaller radius) than the 109 at all altitudes, particularly at lower speeds.

The 109 is slightly faster at all but the very highest altitudes, and certainly dives better.

Climb rates are tricky, I think that at different speeds, each aircraft may outshine the other.

The Spit was an easier aircraft to fly, and had marginally better visibility from the bubble cockpit, however the larger wing obscured the view to below more.

The 109 often had better armament which was easier to aim due to the fact it was more central on the airframe.

Both aircrafts killed more pilots during landing and takeoff than were lost in combat due to the high power/torque engines and the narrow track landing gear, but the 109 is slightly worse in this respect.

That's my opinions on the subject, and they are based on everything I have seen or heard regarding the matter. They are still simply opinions, however, and I do not claim them to be fact in any way at all.

Who's next?

Last edited by Sammi79; 07-14-2012 at 11:17 AM.
Reply With Quote