[SkyBuffalo]

Originally Posted by Louie

p-fo-t-sev-unh.

Is that fo-neh-tiks?

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by planenutsfrog

The Spitfire MK XIV would be my choice, due to the settled limits in level.

Lower, I would have choosen the FW190D9 or Tempest V.

Yay, Mk XIV would cream it, same engine (approx), less weight, more manouverable, & 2 x 20mm Cannons (seals it !)

..... This man REALLY knows his W.W.II (fighter planes) performance envelope(s) !


p.n.f.g You know your 'turf' guy !!!!!!!!


(Tempest V below 14,000 even D.9 pilots were scared of it !!!!!!!!!)

[planenutsfrog]

Not better than you obviously, dear Hornchurch !...

(According to Pierre Clostermann, in good hands, the Tempest V was virtually invincible at such altitudes. )

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by planenutsfrog

Not better than you obviously, dear Hornchurch !...

(According to Pierre Clostermann, in good hands, the Tempest V was virtually invincible at such altitudes. )

And also by the test pilots @ Boscombe Down, who were testing it in the most CLINICAL fashion (unbiased, as the authorities needed to know what their Air Force were REALLY up against)

Below 14,000 nothing (piston) could touch it - even the Langnasen Dora (& if/before some forumites wanna spout off about the TA.152, remember it was designated for high altitute combat, so the Tempest would 'trounce' that (even) at all but high altitude......
.... that, & the fact that there was only EVER one TA.152 unit ever operational (JG.301) so numbers were BEYOND insignificant

But best REFERENCE as to it's alarming performance, was from the German pilots who faced it directly, themselves in mortal combat

Though it's a very expensive book, & most people won't have read, or seen of it, (sadly), there's a SUPERB (& massive Volume) book which is printed in the USA by the famous aftermarket Decal manufacturer 'Eagle Cal/Strike Productions' (probably the prime exponents of aftermarket Fw.190 decals !)

It's by 'Axel Urbanke' & it's called "Green Hearts-First in Combat with the Dora 9" (JG.54) (it's nothing short of a master-piece !)

Inside there are recollections & pilots combat reports - & throughout - time & again, the JG.54 pilots refer to their toughest opponenents as Spitfire Mk XIV's & (especially) Hawker Tempest Mk.V's ........ citing just how good (& frightening) they are, & that they climb "like a Homesick Angel" & that their new D.9's will be out-climbed & out-run by the Tempest (& it's 2,400 hp Napier Sabre)
Coming from the JG.54 pilots themselves, that's the best reference of all !!!!!!!!

Cheers P.N.F

[skydriver]

After watching the episode of the Thunderbolt's on The History Channel's Dogfights, I would have to say

" You can have your pretty P-51", but, "I WANT THE P-47"

And yet I say this with a sad heart because it would pain me to have to destroy another American made fighter.

[Migmauler]

Given the criteria I'd have to go with the Spit for it's maneuverability and firepower. Just for fun I'm gonna load some 1 v 1 scenarios on my WWII flight sim and see how it goes. Supposedly the flight characteristics built into the sim mirror those of the real thing. I've done most of my dogfighting in a D Mustang but the Spit MK IX is really fun to fly. The T-bolt is not much fun to dogfight with because it bleeds of speed quickly during a turn and gets too slow to maneuver. Don't know if this was real life but in the sim the Spit is the best dogfighter. The Tempest may be a better fighter but it's too ugly for a dashing fighter pilot like me to sit in!

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Migmauler

The Tempest may be a better fighter but it's too ugly for a dashing fighter pilot like me to sit in!

Fun post Mig !!!!!!!!!

I LOVE the P.47 to bits, just about my Fave single-engined plane of all time !

& so Rugged & durable (yet handsome, esp' the 'Razorback' 'D's)......

For ruggedness, only the F.6-F Hellcat comes close !


If the criteria were ground attack (& I wanted to stay in one piece !) then a 9th A.F. P.47 would be my instant choice

But, as it's dogfighting at height, (discounting other Mk's, like the 11 & 21 - yes, they WERE used in WW.II !) It's gotta be the Spitfire Mk XIV or the (rare in comparison) TA.152 .............. (if it's just piston engined stuff)

Laughed at your comment on the Tempest, good one, good laugh !

[Steve1971]

I'll take the F6F Hellcat as my mount any day.

[Cruver Collecter]

How come no TA 152H? That would be my choice.

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

How come no TA 152H? That would be my choice.

Funny enough, I'd commented on that, back in August, (5 posts ago - No.24)
- same reasons still stand