I have to agree with Widewing here. If you read the JFC thru, you will find amazing examples of stuff casting doubt on the general reliability of the evaluation cards. For example, conference spokesman wonders how the F4U-1D and FG-1D get so different evaluation. At one stage, he has to remind that Mustangīs tailwheel is unlocked by pushing the stick forward on neutral position. How a pilot who doesnīt know the basics of the aircraft he is supposed to evaluate can do it honestly and fairly? For the same aircraft you find one commenting "a long take off run" while another comments "short". One descibes stall as poor, another describes it good. These evaluation charts have so many inconsistencies that I wouldnībet my head on just those comments. And Widewing is right, vast majority of the pilots are non-combat guys. This is apparent if you read the report thoroughly, not just the first and last few pages. BTW, if you check the 3g stalling speeds, you note that the Corsair and the Lightning have almost the same figure and Mustangīs figure is only 11 mph slower, indicating that the P-38 canīt be that bad in turn. And Crumpp, you make much fuss about acceleration. Basically every report mentions that the Spitfire has poor acceleration, yet most people donīt condemn it for that. Smells like double standards to me.
Jukka