11.05.2009, 08:54
Fw 190 vs Spitfire Mk VB
The Fw 190 was compared with an
operational Spitfire Mk VB for speed and allround
manoeuvrability at heights up to 25,000 ft.
The Fw 190 is superior in speed at all heights,
and the approximate differences are as follows:
At 2,000 ft (610 m) the Fw 190 is 25-30 mph
(40-48 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
At 3,000 ft (915 m) the Fw 190 is 30-35 mph
(48-56 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
At 5,000 ft (1525 m) the Fw 190 is 25 mph
(40 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
At 9,000 ft (2744 m) the Fw 190 is 25-30 mph
(40-48 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
At 15,000 ft (4573 m) the Fw 190 is 20 mph
(32 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
At 18,000 ft (5488 m) the Fw 190 is 20 mph
(32 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
At 21,000 ft (6400 m) the Fw 190 is 20-25 mph
(32-40 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
Climb: The climb of the Fw 190 is superior to
that of the Spitfire Mk VB at all heights. The best
speeds for climbing are approximately the same,
but the angle of the Fw 190 is considerably
steeper. Under maximum continuous climbing
conditions the climb of the Fw 190 is about
450 ft/min better up to 25,000 feet (7620 m).
With both aircraft flying at high cruising speed
and then pulling up into a climb, the superior
climb of the Fw 190 is even more marked.
Dive: Comparative dives have shown that the
Fw 190 can leave the Spitfire with ease,
particularly during the initial stages.
Manoeuvrability: The manoeuvrability of the
Fw 190 is better than that of the Spitfire VB
except in turning circles, when the Spitfire can
guite easily out-turn it. The Fw 190 has better
acceleration under all conditions of flight and
this must obviously be useful during combat.
When the Fw 190 was in a turn and was
attacked by the Spitfire, the superior rate of roll
enabled it to flick into a diving turn in the
opposite direction. The pilot of the Spitfire
found great difficulty in following this
manoeuvre and even when prepared for it was
seldom able to allow the correct deflection. It
was found that if the Spitfire was cruising at
low speed and was 'bounced' by the Fw 190, it
was easily caught even if the Fw 190 was
sighted when well out of range.
The Fw 190 was compared with an
operational Spitfire Mk VB for speed and allround
manoeuvrability at heights up to 25,000 ft.
The Fw 190 is superior in speed at all heights,
and the approximate differences are as follows:
At 2,000 ft (610 m) the Fw 190 is 25-30 mph
(40-48 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
At 3,000 ft (915 m) the Fw 190 is 30-35 mph
(48-56 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
At 5,000 ft (1525 m) the Fw 190 is 25 mph
(40 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
At 9,000 ft (2744 m) the Fw 190 is 25-30 mph
(40-48 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
At 15,000 ft (4573 m) the Fw 190 is 20 mph
(32 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
At 18,000 ft (5488 m) the Fw 190 is 20 mph
(32 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
At 21,000 ft (6400 m) the Fw 190 is 20-25 mph
(32-40 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VB
Climb: The climb of the Fw 190 is superior to
that of the Spitfire Mk VB at all heights. The best
speeds for climbing are approximately the same,
but the angle of the Fw 190 is considerably
steeper. Under maximum continuous climbing
conditions the climb of the Fw 190 is about
450 ft/min better up to 25,000 feet (7620 m).
With both aircraft flying at high cruising speed
and then pulling up into a climb, the superior
climb of the Fw 190 is even more marked.
Dive: Comparative dives have shown that the
Fw 190 can leave the Spitfire with ease,
particularly during the initial stages.
Manoeuvrability: The manoeuvrability of the
Fw 190 is better than that of the Spitfire VB
except in turning circles, when the Spitfire can
guite easily out-turn it. The Fw 190 has better
acceleration under all conditions of flight and
this must obviously be useful during combat.
When the Fw 190 was in a turn and was
attacked by the Spitfire, the superior rate of roll
enabled it to flick into a diving turn in the
opposite direction. The pilot of the Spitfire
found great difficulty in following this
manoeuvre and even when prepared for it was
seldom able to allow the correct deflection. It
was found that if the Spitfire was cruising at
low speed and was 'bounced' by the Fw 190, it
was easily caught even if the Fw 190 was
sighted when well out of range.