Friday Update, April 13, 2012

[Frequent_Flyer]

Originally Posted by VO101_Tom

We talk about the Hurricanes and Spitfires in BoB, not only the 303 squadron.

But if you have any proof, please share, if the Hurricanes shot down more fighter than Spitfires. I found only this (or similar):

"Both the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hurricane are renowned for their part in defending Britain against the Luftwaffe — generally the Spitfire would intercept the German fighters, leaving Hurricanes to concentrate on the bombers, but despite the undoubted abilities of the "thoroughbred" Spitfire, it was the "workhorse" Hurricane that scored the higher number of RAF victories during this period, accounting for 55 percent of the 2,739 German losses, according to Fighter Command, compared with 42 per cent by Spitfires.[39]"

But there is no exact numbers, how many bomber, how many fighter...

Also, consider the Bf-110, a fighter , other than having greater range was useless as an escort and easy meat for the Hurri. In addition. the Ju-87 was rendered " obsolete " during BOB, based upon its record vs. the Hurri and Spit.

Keep in mind ,the pathitic range of the 109 required it to return to base well before its escort duties were fullfilled on a great number of occasions. Leaving nothing but the Bombers for both the Spit and Hurri to concentrate on.
Both the Spit and the Hurri may have scored more victories over Bombers rather than fighters.

Thats not a bad thing!

[taildraggernut]

Yet I believe more 109's were lost than any other German aircraft type

[Insuber]

Originally Posted by taildraggernut

Yet I believe more 109's were lost than any other German aircraft type

Irrelevant. They were the most widespread type, so ...

[taildraggernut]

Originally Posted by Insuber

Irrelevant. They were the most widespread type, so ...

Wow....such hostility, I was only answering Frequent flyers hypothesis on how many bombers vs fighters the RAF shot down....what is so irrelevant about it?

[taildraggernut]

These might be interesting links.....

http://www.alternatewars.com/WW2/See..._LW_Losses.htm

http://cz-raf.hyperlink.cz/BoB/stat.html

[ATAG_Dutch]

'in encounters known to be between Hurricanes and 109s, the 109 came out the winner, shooting down 272 Hurricanes for the loss of 153 Bf109s.'

Which means 153 Bf109s were shot down by Hurris, of course.

http://www.historyofwar.org/articles...ne_combat.html

[Kwiatek]

Nobody claim that Hurricane was better fighter then 109. But surly in experience hands Hurrricane could be effective againt 109 too

303 SQN pilots proof it enough.

Also 100 Octan fuel and +12lbs emergency boost made a difference in low level combat alts too.

[klem]

Originally Posted by zapatista

the hurricanes were initially mainly tasked with engaging enemy bombers because there were only 2 fighter planes available that were fast enough to catch up to the bombers and engage them. of the 2 available planes, the hurricane was the weapon of choice because:
- it was a more stable gun platform
- it had heavier gun armaments at the start of BoB compared to the spitfire
- it could stand (slightly) heavier damage then the spitfire from german bomber defensive guns
- it was less fast and less agile then the spitfire, so significantly less competitive with the 109's, so by default it was relegated to the bomber interception role (out of the 2 choices the RAF had)

- it had heavier gun armaments at the start of BoB compared to the spitfire

just one point zapatista, both aircraft had the same eight Browning 0.303" machine guns from the start. The Hurricane was a more stable gun platform because it reacted less to the recoil. It had the guns grouped close together in the more solidly constructed wings, four in each wing about 1/4 the wing length from the fuselage. The Spitfire was a less stable platform due to its guns being spread along the wings and its outer wing reaction to recoil or aileron forces. This mean that any flexing or twisting of the wings would slightly move/twist the aim point of the outer guns.

[MegOhm]

Do appreciate the update...promising...

One issue I see that has really never been answered to my knowledge (unless i missed it) is the fact the Spit is not very maneuverable on the ground. I can drive the 109 around like a sports car but the Spit just does not want to turn right.... I cannot be the only one seeing this... I do like taxiing as part of the process after start up. ...

Hope this was addressed

[r0bc]

Right on...some good news