11.05.2009, 09:02
Fw 190 vs P-38F Lightning
The Fw 190 was compared with an operational
P-38F flown by an experienced US Army Air Force
pilot. The two aircraft were compared for speed
and all-round manoeuvrability at heights up to
23,000 ft. The Fw 190 was superior in speed at
all heights up to 22,000 ft, where the two aircraft
were approximately the same. The approximate
differences in speeds are as follows:
At 2,000 ft [610 m] the Fw 190 is 15 mph
(24 km/h) faster than the P-38F
At 8,000 ft (2440 m) the Fw 190 is 15 mph
(24 km/h) faster than the P-38F
At 15,000 ft (4573 m) the Fw 190 is 5-8 mph
(8-13 km/h) faster than the P-38F
At 23,000 ft (7010 m) the P-38F is 6-8 mph
(9-13 km/h) faster than the Fw 190
Climb: The climb of the P-38F is not as good as
that of the Fw 190 up to 15,000 ft. Above this
height the climb of the P-38F improves rapidly
until at 20,000 ft [6010 m] it becomes superior.
The best climbing speed for the P-38F is about
20 mph (32 km/h) less than that of the Fw 190
and the angle approximately the same. The
initial rate of climb of the Fw 190, either from
level flight or a dive, is superior to that of the
P-38F at all heights below 20,000 ft and above
this height the climb of the P-38F becomes
increasingly better.
Dive: Comparative dives proved the Fw 190 to
be better, particularly in the initial stage. During
prolonged dives the P-38F, on occasion, was
slowly gaining on the Fw 190, but in combat it
is unlikely that the P-38F would have time to
catch up, before having to break off the attack.
Manoeuvrability: The Fw 190 is superior to
that of the P-38F, particularly in the rolling
plane. Although at high speed the Fw 190 is
superior in turning circles, it can be out-turned if
the P-38F reduces its speed to about 140 mph
(225 km/h), at which speed it can carry out a
very tight turn, which the Fw 190 cannot follow.
The acceleration of the two aircraft was
compared and the Fw 190 was found to be better
in all respects. When the Fw 190 'bounced' the
P-38F and was seen when over 1,000 yards
away, the pilot's best manoeuvre was to go into
a diving turn and, if it found the Fw 190 was
catching it up, to pull up into a spiral climb,
flying at its lowest possible speed.
The Fw 190 was compared with an operational
P-38F flown by an experienced US Army Air Force
pilot. The two aircraft were compared for speed
and all-round manoeuvrability at heights up to
23,000 ft. The Fw 190 was superior in speed at
all heights up to 22,000 ft, where the two aircraft
were approximately the same. The approximate
differences in speeds are as follows:
At 2,000 ft [610 m] the Fw 190 is 15 mph
(24 km/h) faster than the P-38F
At 8,000 ft (2440 m) the Fw 190 is 15 mph
(24 km/h) faster than the P-38F
At 15,000 ft (4573 m) the Fw 190 is 5-8 mph
(8-13 km/h) faster than the P-38F
At 23,000 ft (7010 m) the P-38F is 6-8 mph
(9-13 km/h) faster than the Fw 190
Climb: The climb of the P-38F is not as good as
that of the Fw 190 up to 15,000 ft. Above this
height the climb of the P-38F improves rapidly
until at 20,000 ft [6010 m] it becomes superior.
The best climbing speed for the P-38F is about
20 mph (32 km/h) less than that of the Fw 190
and the angle approximately the same. The
initial rate of climb of the Fw 190, either from
level flight or a dive, is superior to that of the
P-38F at all heights below 20,000 ft and above
this height the climb of the P-38F becomes
increasingly better.
Dive: Comparative dives proved the Fw 190 to
be better, particularly in the initial stage. During
prolonged dives the P-38F, on occasion, was
slowly gaining on the Fw 190, but in combat it
is unlikely that the P-38F would have time to
catch up, before having to break off the attack.
Manoeuvrability: The Fw 190 is superior to
that of the P-38F, particularly in the rolling
plane. Although at high speed the Fw 190 is
superior in turning circles, it can be out-turned if
the P-38F reduces its speed to about 140 mph
(225 km/h), at which speed it can carry out a
very tight turn, which the Fw 190 cannot follow.
The acceleration of the two aircraft was
compared and the Fw 190 was found to be better
in all respects. When the Fw 190 'bounced' the
P-38F and was seen when over 1,000 yards
away, the pilot's best manoeuvre was to go into
a diving turn and, if it found the Fw 190 was
catching it up, to pull up into a spiral climb,
flying at its lowest possible speed.