30.01.2010, 17:24
The best all around fighter of the Second World War would be the P-51B-15NA. It had superior speed, superior range, superior aramament, and was on par with maneuverability. Allow me to explain why by matching it with other planes.
Mustangs
Sure, the P-51H-NA and the rest of the lightweight experiments were faster and had better maneuverability, but they never saw combat. Then there's the P-51D-NA and the P-51K-NT. The P-51D was a heavier version of the P-51B/C with a teardrop canopy and two extra .50cal guns. The early P-51K-NT was horrible due to the Aeroproducts prop. Later versions of the 51K saw speeds up to that of the lighter 51B/C, exceeding those of the 51D, but could not match the 51B for maneuverability due to its extra weight. The P-51B-15NA was often equipped with a Malcolm hood canopy and had a dorsal fin. This canopy actually gave it better visibility than the teardrop of the later Mustangs and the dorsal fin, along with the Merlin and it's lighter weight, gave it the best performance of any Mustang until the XP-51F-NA. I'll take the time now to explain why the 4x.50cal guns are superior to 6x.50cal guns and cannons. The .50cal has a faster rate of fire than any cannon. This makes it a good choice for a fight that involves quick twists and turns. Cannons allow you to hit hard and take down large planes, but they take more time to get off rounds meaning a good fighter will have slipped away if you're not a great shot. Sure, 6x.50cal guns can dispatch a fighter quickly, but they take up extra weight and drop the firing time. For very long range missions, the extra two guns of the later Mustangs were often removed. All you really need is the four guns. That brings up another good point. The P-51B-15NA was uncontested for top speed.
Thunderbolt
Okay, you have three basic types of Thunderbolts. You have the early types through the P-47D-RE which are catered towards ground attack. Then you've got the P-47M-RE which is an air superiority fighter and an interceptor. Finally, you have the P-47N-RE which is made to fly long range missions. While it can't take as much damage as the Thunderbolt, match the last two types for speed, or out gun them, the P-51B-15NA can fly circles around it.
Lightning
The Mustang had better high altitude performance and maneuverability. Case and point...
Butcher Birds
The Fw 190A series was designed to serve as interceptors. They had a heavy aramament that wasn't good for fighting, but they also had amazing maneuverability and a large radial engine that could take a lot of damage. They had short range. The Fw 190D series was much better at fighting. It was great match for the Mustang, except for the range.
Frank
In top conditions and with proper fuel, the Ki 84 was superior to the P-51D-20NA. It could fly circles around it, but had a harder time with the razor version.
Oh, and for the record, one F-51D-30NA killed a Russian flown Mig 15.
Mustangs
Sure, the P-51H-NA and the rest of the lightweight experiments were faster and had better maneuverability, but they never saw combat. Then there's the P-51D-NA and the P-51K-NT. The P-51D was a heavier version of the P-51B/C with a teardrop canopy and two extra .50cal guns. The early P-51K-NT was horrible due to the Aeroproducts prop. Later versions of the 51K saw speeds up to that of the lighter 51B/C, exceeding those of the 51D, but could not match the 51B for maneuverability due to its extra weight. The P-51B-15NA was often equipped with a Malcolm hood canopy and had a dorsal fin. This canopy actually gave it better visibility than the teardrop of the later Mustangs and the dorsal fin, along with the Merlin and it's lighter weight, gave it the best performance of any Mustang until the XP-51F-NA. I'll take the time now to explain why the 4x.50cal guns are superior to 6x.50cal guns and cannons. The .50cal has a faster rate of fire than any cannon. This makes it a good choice for a fight that involves quick twists and turns. Cannons allow you to hit hard and take down large planes, but they take more time to get off rounds meaning a good fighter will have slipped away if you're not a great shot. Sure, 6x.50cal guns can dispatch a fighter quickly, but they take up extra weight and drop the firing time. For very long range missions, the extra two guns of the later Mustangs were often removed. All you really need is the four guns. That brings up another good point. The P-51B-15NA was uncontested for top speed.
Thunderbolt
Okay, you have three basic types of Thunderbolts. You have the early types through the P-47D-RE which are catered towards ground attack. Then you've got the P-47M-RE which is an air superiority fighter and an interceptor. Finally, you have the P-47N-RE which is made to fly long range missions. While it can't take as much damage as the Thunderbolt, match the last two types for speed, or out gun them, the P-51B-15NA can fly circles around it.
Lightning
The Mustang had better high altitude performance and maneuverability. Case and point...
Butcher Birds
The Fw 190A series was designed to serve as interceptors. They had a heavy aramament that wasn't good for fighting, but they also had amazing maneuverability and a large radial engine that could take a lot of damage. They had short range. The Fw 190D series was much better at fighting. It was great match for the Mustang, except for the range.
Frank
In top conditions and with proper fuel, the Ki 84 was superior to the P-51D-20NA. It could fly circles around it, but had a harder time with the razor version.
Oh, and for the record, one F-51D-30NA killed a Russian flown Mig 15.