Just curious about the P-51 FM

[pandacat]

Originally Posted by MaxGunz

See if you can get Sensei to post about F-16's used for ground attack. He used to teach that.

P-47's were certainly high speed interceptors and equally certainly used for ground attack as were Corsairs, Typhoons and Tempests and FW190's.....

I know P-47s were used for AG attacks. As a matter of fact, p47s were used in AG operations more frequently than P51s. What I am arguing is how come they never picked p47 for Korea if p47 is better than p51?

[horseback]

Originally Posted by pandacat

I know P-47s were used for AG attacks. As a matter of fact, p47s were used in AG operations more frequently than P51s. What I am arguing is how come they never picked p47 for Korea if p47 is better than p51?

While P-47s were generally considered much better suited to ground attack than the Mustang, there weren't any in Japan when the festivities in Korea began, and the limited number of reasonably well-maintained Jugs were located in the US and Europe (where, if Stalin had decided to strike while the British and Americans were distracted by Korea) they would be desperately needed. Additionally, the Jug needed more maintenance time per flight hour and consumed a great deal more aviation grade fuel (yeah, we had plenty back then, but most of it had to be shipped from US West Coast refineries and that still cost a lot of money, and meant that some other needed items would have had to wait for shipping space).

In any case, the USAF was making a wholesale transition to jets; the Mustang was supposed to be replaced by F-80s and F-84s 'in two weeks, be sure' throughout the Korean conflict.

cheers

horseback

[MaxGunz]

Originally Posted by pandacat

I know P-47s were used for AG attacks. As a matter of fact, p47s were used in AG operations more frequently than P51s. What I am arguing is how come they never picked p47 for Korea if p47 is better than p51?

Who said the P-47 is better? High speed interceptor that was good AG yes, more suited to the high speed environment of Korea, no. The Mustang was crap compared to the MiG with a decent hit and run pilot. But the P47 is slower and bigger and not 30mm-proof regardless of stronger build.

How long did the F-80's last?