Unlikely Matchups: Mosquito VS. P-38

[Ghillied raptor]

Originally Posted by Soviet Ace

I think maneuverability wise, a Yak-3 against a A6M2 Zero would be a good match up. It would have to be a A6M2-21, but none the less both planes would be interesting to see in a TnB dogfight.

Maybe even an American F8F Bearcat against a Yak-3 would be cool? The Bearcat would probably win depending on the circumstances, but it's kinda hard to tell with either of them?

It's hard to say for sure, the pilot is just as big a factor as the plane.If one pilot has the element of suprise the fight could end prematurely.I'm going to go with the YAK though.

[Spitfire23]

Originally Posted by Ghillied raptor

the pilot is just as big a factor as the plane.

This is the reason we could never know for sure

we can only go from statistics

[DaveE30]

I thought it was the Japanese who called the P-38 "forked-tailed devil"... ?

[Soviet Ace]

Originally Posted by Ghillied raptor

It's hard to say for sure, the pilot is just as big a factor as the plane.If one pilot has the element of suprise the fight could end prematurely.I'm going to go with the YAK though.

That's true. But that's why I'm not sure, and it would be interesting in a mock dogfight?

Also, between a Mosquito and Lightning? It depends once again on who got the jump first? The Mosquito could turn, and the Lightning more than none would have to use BnZ tactics against the Mosquito, unless it was at a higher altitude; where the possibility of a Lightning turning with a Mosquito would be possibly more equal.

[Doktorwzzerd]

Originally Posted by Soviet Ace

That's true. But that's why I'm not sure, and it would be interesting in a mock dogfight?

Also, between a Mosquito and Lightning? It depends once again on who got the jump first? The Mosquito could turn, and the Lightning more than none would have to use BnZ tactics against the Mosquito, unless it was at a higher altitude; where the possibility of a Lightning turning with a Mosquito would be possibly more equal.

I don't know my friend, the Lightning had extremely low wing loading, I think it could probably out turn a Mosquito. Also the P-38 was extensively used as dedicated fighter with an impressive record to match (America's 1st and 2nd highest scoring Aces both flew it exclusively), whereas the Mosquito was used primarily as a hit and run attack aircraft. I actually think this argument might be the opposite of what you suggest; the Mosquito might well have the highest speed with the Lightning being the better turner. Also the Lightning had better armor, being metal, than the Wooden Wonder.

I'd pick the Lightning every time. See the episode of Dogfights that features Robin Olds to see what it could do in straight dogfights.

[Soviet Ace]

Originally Posted by Doktorwzzerd

I don't know my friend, the Lightning had extremely low wing loading, I think it could probably out turn a Mosquito. Also the P-38 was extensively used as dedicated fighter with an impressive record to match (America's 1st and 2nd highest scoring Aces both flew it exclusively), whereas the Mosquito was used primarily as a hit and run attack aircraft. I actually think this argument might be the opposite of what you suggest; the Mosquito might well have the highest speed with the Lightning being the better turner. Also the Lightning had better armor, being metal, than the Wooden Wonder.

I'd pick the Lightning every time. See the episode of Dogfights that features Robin Olds to see what it could do in straight dogfights.

Yes, but like Robin Olds said in a book about his life in WW2, the P-38 was a good plane; under the hands of a good pilot. So it depends. The P-38 was performed better in the Pacific, than it actually did in Europe. And that's why most of the P-38s were shipped over there, rather than keep many of them in Europe. So once again, it depends.

[Doktorwzzerd]

Originally Posted by Soviet Ace

Yes, but like Robin Olds said in a book about his life in WW2, the P-38 was a good plane; under the hands of a good pilot. So it depends. The P-38 was performed better in the Pacific, than it actually did in Europe. And that's why most of the P-38s were shipped over there, rather than keep many of them in Europe. So once again, it depends.

Ha, well pilot performance being equal, the Mosquito just wasn't designed to be a fighter, she was designed as a light bomber, whereas the P-38 was intended from the beginning to be a fighter. I mean just look at them, its like proposing a dogfight between a F-111 and an F-15.

Was the P-38 really used in the Pacific more extensively than the the ETO due to performance, or was it due to the USAAF's need for an aircraft with extreme range in the Pacific? Not having aircraft carriers, the P-38 is the only American aircraft, prior to the P-51D, that could get the job done in the Pacific for the USAAF.

[xNikex]

What if a B-17 crossed paths with an He-111 and they wanted to kill each other?
It would be like a naval battle in the sky. All the guns firing to one side while they circle around each other.

[Rhah]

Originally Posted by xNikex

What if a B-17 crossed paths with an He-111 and they wanted to kill each other?
It would be like a naval battle in the sky. All the guns firing to one side while they circle around each other.

That would actually be seriously cool to see..... what would be even cooler would be a squadron of both types of bomber, in a massive brawl.

My money would have to be on the B17's though... all those .50 cal's would tear the Heinkel's to shreds

[Robotic Pope]

Originally Posted by Doktorwzzerd

Ha, well pilot performance being equal, the Mosquito just wasn't designed to be a fighter, she was designed as a light bomber, whereas the P-38 was intended from the beginning to be a fighter. I mean just look at them, its like proposing a dogfight between a F-111 and an F-15.

Exactly my thought. The mosquito was primarily a bomber. It was only because it was such a great plane that it could be modified to do other jobs (night fighter and invader). It was never used as a dogfighter though so it would probably lose against the P-38. The DeHaviland Hornet on the other hand WAS designed and built for the same role as the p-38 (long range fighter bomber). Based on the Mosquito but with a heavily redesigned plywood fuselage including a single seat cockpit, new wood/metal wings and four 20mm cannons. The Hornet was lighter, more manuvurable and with a top speed of almost 500mph was a lot faster than the Mosquito.

The Hornet V Lightning would be a much fairer comparison, and the Hornet would win by a large margin. Only problem is that the hornet was built in 1944 and WWII ended before the first planes could be delivered to the RAF.