FW-190A4 in combat PDF

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Igo kyu

Interesting, I liked most of it.

Calling the 109 a turn fighter seems to be stretching the definition a bit. I thought in any furball, one side had the energy fighters and the other the turn fighters (supposing no more than one type per side) and most of the time, the 109 was the energy fighter.

Any aircraft can be used as an energy fighter - but it doesn't mean it is.

The 109 can be used as an energy fighter vs slower aircraft but it was still primarily a turn fighter - albeit a fast one. Big hint is the lighter armament (requiring tracking shots and multiple hits). Later in the series (G and up) it lost that manoeuverability so had to be flown as an energy fighter - it's armament was upgraded for the role but it never had the roll rate that is so handy in vertical manoeuvering.

The 190 was from the start an energy fighter - extremely heavy weaponry (compared to the 109) made it likely that one good pass will take the enemy out - amongst the other features.