[TheGrunch]

There are two tests, both performed upon the same aircraft, JL 165, and one (from Oct 1943) uses a take-off weight of 7234lbs, and achieves the results ACE has used in his comparison. There is another, later test (Feb 1944) which uses a take-off weight of 7400lbs and achieves results which are not as good (due to the greater weight). What we need to know is what weight the Il-2 Spit IX 25lbs uses at 100% fuel, so that we can see which set of data is the better one to compare with Il-2.

EDIT: It is however worth noting that the second report states that "The comparison of this estimated performance with that obtained on Spitfire F.Mk.IX BS.543 with Merlin 66, shows rather lower figures for JL.165, particularly in all-out level speed." JL.165 was probably quite a tired old airframe by then.