30.01.2010, 18:09
I'm sorry Deac, but what a load of b..iased info!
the B series had inferior visibility and inferior armament (just 4x .50 cal). As that was not enough, the way they were installed in the wing caused them to jam, especially under G-loads. The problem wasn't solved until the D series, with a rearranged M2 position and an extra weapon bay.
The only marginal advantage it had on the later mustangs was the barely superior top speed and better lateral stability (both due to the "razorback" design, which is still used nowadays in the customizations of Reno mustang racers). They both needed a vertical stabilizing fin though, to avoid the dreaded snap rolls, which happened with no warning because of the laminar flow wing.
wrong again. The P51B/C series empty weight was stated at 6985 lb vs the 7000 lb of the D series, which had two extra machineguns, but a lot less metal surface on the back! Also, the D series had a better Packard Merlin V-1650, which delivered more HP than the earlier series.
No, the B series had a normal framed canopy, some received malcom hoods as replacements, but it wasn't standard issue. As for the dorsal fin, it was actually an oder dispatched by the Air Ministry, but it was subject to availability. Mustangs born with the malcom hood were C series. Again, there's no lighter weight to take into account, only a better streamlined fuselage.
so that's all you need in a plane? How about the 20mm cannon, or the double engine, or the superior load, or the tricycle landing gear??
Deac Wrote: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.
the B series had inferior visibility and inferior armament (just 4x .50 cal). As that was not enough, the way they were installed in the wing caused them to jam, especially under G-loads. The problem wasn't solved until the D series, with a rearranged M2 position and an extra weapon bay.
The only marginal advantage it had on the later mustangs was the barely superior top speed and better lateral stability (both due to the "razorback" design, which is still used nowadays in the customizations of Reno mustang racers). They both needed a vertical stabilizing fin though, to avoid the dreaded snap rolls, which happened with no warning because of the laminar flow wing.
Quote:MustangsAccording to a certain chap called Chuck Yeager, the P-51H was a bitch of a plane, it didn't "feel right" because the pushed the envelope too much, no wonder it never saw combat service.
Sure, the P-51H-NA and the rest of the lightweight experiments were faster and had better maneuverability, but they never saw combat.
Quote: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.
wrong again. The P51B/C series empty weight was stated at 6985 lb vs the 7000 lb of the D series, which had two extra machineguns, but a lot less metal surface on the back! Also, the D series had a better Packard Merlin V-1650, which delivered more HP than the earlier series.
Quote: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.wrong again, see above.
Quote: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.
No, the B series had a normal framed canopy, some received malcom hoods as replacements, but it wasn't standard issue. As for the dorsal fin, it was actually an oder dispatched by the Air Ministry, but it was subject to availability. Mustangs born with the malcom hood were C series. Again, there's no lighter weight to take into account, only a better streamlined fuselage.
Quote: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.WHAT?!? Drop the firing time? What do you mean?!? 6 .50 caliber converging a 300yds delivered a WAY superior punch than 4, especially if installed with an awkward angle, which was meant to help the armourers loading the guns, but meant frequent jamming. You probably don't know that the machineguns on the B-C series had two different rates of fire, the inner ones having a higher rate than the outer ones.
Quote: 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.this is unheard of (probably because it would be stupid), can you please state your source of info? Again, the top speed of the B series was insignificantly superior to the D series.
Quote: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...
so that's all you need in a plane? How about the 20mm cannon, or the double engine, or the superior load, or the tricycle landing gear??
Quote:Butcher Birdswhat an awesome sum for a plane that was probably the most advanced that saw combat service in WW2!!! Ever heard of Kommandoger
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.