11.05.2009, 08:58
Fw 190 vs Spitfire Mk IX
The Focke Wulf 190 was compared with a fully
operational Spitfire Mk IX for speed and
manoeuvrability at heights up to 25,000 ft. The
Mk IX, at most heights, is slightly superior in
speed, and the approximate differences in
speeds at various heights are as follows:
At 2,000 ft (610 m) the Fw 190 is 7-8 mph
(11-13 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk IX
At 5,000 ft (1524 m) the Fw 190 and the
Spitfire Mk IX are approximately the same
At 8,000 ft (2440 m) the Spitfire Mk IX is
8 mph (13 km/h) faster than the Fw 190
At 15,000 ft (4573 m) the Spitfire Mk IX is
5 mph (8 km/h) faster than the Fw 190
At 18,000 ft (5488 m) the Fw 190 is 3 mph
(5 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk IX
At 21,000 ft (6400 m) the Fw 190 and the
Spitfire Mk IX are approximately the same
At 25,000 ft (7620 m) the Spitfire Mk IX is
5-7 mph (8-11 km/h) faster than the Fw 190
Climb: During comparative climbs at various
heights up to 23,000 ft, with both aircraft flying
under maximum continuous climbing conditions,
little difference was found between the two
aircraft although on the whole the Spitfire
Mk IX was slightly better. Above 22,000 ft the
climb of the Fw 190 falls off rapidly, whereas
the climb of the Spitfire Mk IX is increasing.
When both aircraft were flying a high cruising
speed and were pulled up into a climb from
level flight, the Fw 190 had a slight advantage
in the initial stages of the climb due to its better
acceleration. This superiority was slightly
increased when both aircraft were pulled up
into the climb from the dive.
Dive: The Fw 190 is faster in a dive than the
Mk IX, particularly during the initial stage. The
superiority is not so marked as with the Mk VB.
Manoeuvrability: The Fw 190 is more
manoeuvrable than the Mk IX except in turning
circle, when it is out-turned without difficulty.
The superior rate of roll of the Fw 190 enabled
it to avoid the Spitfire Mk IX if attacked when in
a turn by flicking over into a diving turn in the
opposite direction and, as with the Spitfire
Mk VB, the Mk IX had great difficulty in following
this manoeuvre. The initial acceleration of the
Fw 190 is better than the Spitfire Mk IX under all
conditions of flight, except in level flight at such
altitudes where the Spitfire has a speed
advantage and then, providing the Spitfire is
cruising at high speed, there is little to choose
between the two aircraft.
The Focke Wulf 190 was compared with a fully
operational Spitfire Mk IX for speed and
manoeuvrability at heights up to 25,000 ft. The
Mk IX, at most heights, is slightly superior in
speed, and the approximate differences in
speeds at various heights are as follows:
At 2,000 ft (610 m) the Fw 190 is 7-8 mph
(11-13 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk IX
At 5,000 ft (1524 m) the Fw 190 and the
Spitfire Mk IX are approximately the same
At 8,000 ft (2440 m) the Spitfire Mk IX is
8 mph (13 km/h) faster than the Fw 190
At 15,000 ft (4573 m) the Spitfire Mk IX is
5 mph (8 km/h) faster than the Fw 190
At 18,000 ft (5488 m) the Fw 190 is 3 mph
(5 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk IX
At 21,000 ft (6400 m) the Fw 190 and the
Spitfire Mk IX are approximately the same
At 25,000 ft (7620 m) the Spitfire Mk IX is
5-7 mph (8-11 km/h) faster than the Fw 190
Climb: During comparative climbs at various
heights up to 23,000 ft, with both aircraft flying
under maximum continuous climbing conditions,
little difference was found between the two
aircraft although on the whole the Spitfire
Mk IX was slightly better. Above 22,000 ft the
climb of the Fw 190 falls off rapidly, whereas
the climb of the Spitfire Mk IX is increasing.
When both aircraft were flying a high cruising
speed and were pulled up into a climb from
level flight, the Fw 190 had a slight advantage
in the initial stages of the climb due to its better
acceleration. This superiority was slightly
increased when both aircraft were pulled up
into the climb from the dive.
Dive: The Fw 190 is faster in a dive than the
Mk IX, particularly during the initial stage. The
superiority is not so marked as with the Mk VB.
Manoeuvrability: The Fw 190 is more
manoeuvrable than the Mk IX except in turning
circle, when it is out-turned without difficulty.
The superior rate of roll of the Fw 190 enabled
it to avoid the Spitfire Mk IX if attacked when in
a turn by flicking over into a diving turn in the
opposite direction and, as with the Spitfire
Mk VB, the Mk IX had great difficulty in following
this manoeuvre. The initial acceleration of the
Fw 190 is better than the Spitfire Mk IX under all
conditions of flight, except in level flight at such
altitudes where the Spitfire has a speed
advantage and then, providing the Spitfire is
cruising at high speed, there is little to choose
between the two aircraft.