Quote:
Originally Posted by David603
Not true. Take a typical late model merlin Spitfire such as the MkVIII or MkIX and you will find it is roughly as fast as a Fw190A5 at all altitudes, though around 25-30mph slower than a P51D at any altitude. However acceleration is better than either fighter, considerably so in the case of the P51D, and a VIII or IX will outclimb a P51D by more than 1000ft per min starting at sea level, and can maintain this kind of advantage up to around 20,000ft, where the climb rates start to become more even and the Spitfire only has a 500ft per min advantage. The Spit can outclimb a Fw190A5 by about 500ft per min at sea level and once over 20,000ft the gap just gets bigger. Compared to a Fw190D9 the Spit will have a similar climb rate and acceleration advantage as over the Fw190A5 but without the D9 falling away so much in climb rate above 20,000ft, and the D9 will be around 30mph faster low down, this advantage dropping to around 15mph at 20,000ft.
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Where did I say climb rate?
I said speed and acceleration, not climb rate.
I'm just stating what the RAE's own performance and test data states. You can dispute it but the data is there and publically available.
Quote:
Originally Posted by David603
This was not because the Spitfire was considered a poor fighter at this point but because the Spitfire lacked the range to be a long range escort, an given its good performance low down and availability in numbers this was the obvious choice for the ground attack/low level intruder role.
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Availability in numbers yes, its low altitude performance against A6's and A8's which it went up against (JG2 and JG26 who guarded Northern France were mainly armed with 190 A6's and A8's at the time of invasion) was quite poor! Its why a 150 grade octane and 25lbs boost was pushed through despite the problems associated with it. Even then they still were just about level with an A6 at low and medium altitude but no where near close A8's and D9's at any altitude.
When it was used in that role it was also used as an escort as the forward 2nd TAF bases allowed Spits to escort bomber command and 2nd TAF's own twins over Germany in daylight. I recommend getting the 2nd TAF volumes 2 and 3
09-07-2009, 03:55 PM
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