Which is better?

[a1]

The P-51 was ment to replace the Spitfire so if you look at that only info the P-51 would be better. But yes I would prefer a P-38 over those two. P-38s are faster and have more firepower.

[C]

The P-51 was ment to replace the Spitfire

It was meant to do no such thing. As my previous post said, it came out of an RAF wish to acquire licence built P-40s to supplement British aircraft (remembering that in 1940 British aircraft production was at full capacity).

The Spitfire was continually developed as required - remember at the time of the P-51's genesis the MkII Spit was the latest; and they went up to the Mk22 postwar... If anything the Hurricane would be more in need of replacing - and the last of those left the production line in 1944!

[p-51mustangfanatic]

The P-51 was ment to replace the Spitfire

It was meant to do no such thing. As my previous post said, it came out of an RAF wish to acquire licence built P-40s to supplement British aircraft (remembering that in 1940 British aircraft production was at full capacity).

The Spitfire was continually developed as required - remember at the time of the P-51's genesis the MkII Spit was the latest; and they went up to the Mk22 postwar... If anything the Hurricane would be more in need of replacing - and the last of those left the production line in 1944!

The problem i find with the soit is that they hd soo many differnet varients that it is as if they couldn't get it right and had to keep changing it! were as the mustang it was develped from being the A type to the H type (with other wierd varients)

Overall to me the mustang is better due to secifications such as speed manueverbility and g loads also visibilty was better and the undercarrage was far better due to it being wide track!

[C]

The problem i find with the soit is that they hd soo many differnet varients that it is as if they couldn't get it right and had to keep changing it! were as the mustang it was develped from being the A type to the H type (with other wierd varients

The Spitfire evolved along with the continued development RR Merlin (you needed quite a different airframe to hold a 1600hp Merlin, when the basic Merlin at the start of the war developed 1030hp!), and then the Griffon (major airframe changes due to a huge leap in power and a major change in balance due to the size of the engine), not because of the design "not being right". Most of the major Mk changes were due to new engines being available (I & II to V; V to IX; IX to XII then XIV; XIV to 21 and 22).

By the time the RR/Packard Merlin made it into the P51 (remembering at the time, with reference to your point below about visibility, the Mustang was the high backed B/C), the Spit was already almost at its definitive Mk with the Merlin (Mk IX). You also make the point above that the Mustang itself had several variations - with the H model being quite a lot different to the poorly-engine P51A

Overall to me the mustang is better due to secifications such as speed manueverbility and g loads also visibilty was better and the undercarrage was far better due to it being wide track!

Yep, the wide track undercarriage is a nicety and certainly an advantage the RAF knew about. When the pressure of war was over, and Vickers-Supermarine developed the Spiteful, one of the main changes was a switch the a wide track u/c unit.

The Spit had a bubble canopy too, with the the Mk XVI (development of the IX), the XIV and all subsequent variants bar the XIX and 21.

The Spit also had a useful naval career too (as the Seafire). Another example of its versatility.

[machineman9]

I think the Mustang has the edge in looks, but the Spitfire is much more of a classic.

Mustfire!

[HawkerTempest5]

Ah, the eternal debate. How many times have we had this discussion then? I happen to like the Mustang. If you needed a plane to take you all the way to Berlin, have a scrap with a bunch of Fw190s and then shoot up a few trains on the way home just for good measure, the Mustang was your plane. However if we

[C]

I think the Mustang has the edge in looks,

Specsavers....

I think Ozzy has some work to do...

But the P-47 could keep flying with a cylinder shot out

And could outrun anything in a dive. Shows what you can do if you have a 20ton lead engine on the front!

[p-51mustangfanatic]

Id like to ongratulate C on his fantastic field of kowledge o the spitfire!!  Well done

I have loads of info on the mustang and would love to have a face to face debate with you lol!

[pepper_airborne]

Hehe, interesting topic, offcourse, we all know that a ME-109 would blow both of em right out of the sky .

[the invisibal man]

i know this is nothing to do with topic but do you need to pay to use the fourm

[C]

Hehe, interesting topic, offcourse, we all know that a ME-109 would blow both of em right out of the sky .

Me109 doesn't, and never did exist...

[p-51mustangfanatic]

Hehe, interesting topic, offcourse, we all know that a ME-109 would blow both of em right out of the sky .

Me109 doesn't, and never did exist...

well Messerschmit Bf-109 also called the ME 109

[C]

Hehe, interesting topic, offcourse, we all know that a ME-109 would blow both of em right out of the sky .

Me109 doesn't, and never did exist...

well Messerschmit Bf-109 also called the ME 109

I was being pedantic...

Bf/ Me designations is one of my favourite subjects for inane pedantry. Mind you, I can never remember with which Messerschmitt it changed (although it was 15something or 16something) from Bf to Me.

[p-51mustangfanatic]

Hehe, interesting topic, offcourse, we all know that a ME-109 would blow both of em right out of the sky .

Me109 doesn't, and never did exist...

well Messerschmit Bf-109 also called the ME 109

I was being pedantic...

Bf/ Me designations is one of my favourite subjects for inane pedantry. Mind you, I can never remember with which Messerschmitt it changed (although it was 15something or 16something) from Bf to Me.

He he!

Dosen't matter we both know that the Bf-109 could most definatley be absolutley obliterated by either the spitfire or the mustang!!!

[p-51mustangfanatic]

LOL! judging by the rsult no one can decide on which is better!!!!!