190 vs spit

[victor]

Inearly 1942 RAF fighters first encountered the Focke-Wulf 190 in numbers, and it became evident that the formidable German fighter was overwhelmingly superior in performance to the then current variant of Spitfire, the Mk VB. The Mark IX Spitfire was developed as an emergency response to this crisis.

SPITFIRE VB VERSUS FW 190A


The account below is taken from the comparative trial of the Spitfire VB with the [captured] Focke-Wulf 190, flown by the Air Fighting Development Unit at Duxford in July 1942.
The FW190 was compared with a Spitfire VB from an operational squadron, for speed and all-round manoeuvrability at heights up to 25,000 feet.

The FW 190 is superior in speed at all heights, and the approximate differences are as follows -

At 1,000 ft the FW 190 is 25-30 mph faster than the Spitfire VB
At 3,000 ft the FW 190 is 30-35 mph faster than the Spitfire VB
At 5,000 ft the FW 190 is 25 mph faster than the Spitfire VB
At 9,000 ft the FW 190 is 25-30 mph faster than the Spitfire VB
At 15,000 ft the FW 190 is 20 mph faster than the Spitfire VB
At 18,000 ft the FW 190 is 20 mph faster than the Spitfire VB
At 21,000 ft the FW 190 is 20-25 mph faster than the Spitfire VB

Climb:The climb of the FW 190 is superior to that of the Spitfire VB at all heights.

The best speeds for climbing are approximately the same, but the angle of the FW 190 is considerably steeper. Under maximum continuous climbing conditions the climb of the FW 190 is about 450 ft/min better up to 25,000'. With both aircraft flying at high cruising speed and then pulling up into a climb, the superior climb of the FW 190 is even more marked. When both aircraft are pulled up into a climb from a dive, the FW 190 draws away very rapidly and the pilot of the Spitfire has no hope of catching it.

Dive: Comparative dives between the two aircraft have shown that the FW 190 can leave the Spitfire with ease, particularly during the initial stages.

Manoeuvrability. The manoeuvrability of the FW 190 is better than that of the Spitfire VB except in turning circles, when the Spitfire can quite easily out-turn it. The FW 190 has better acceleration under all conditions
of flight and this must obviously be most useful during combat.

When the FW 190 was in a turn and was attacked by the Spitfire, the superior rate of roll enabled it to flick into a diving turn in the opposite direction. The pilot of the Spitfire found great difficulty in following this manoeuvre and even when prepared for it, was seldom able to allow the correct deflection. A dive from this manoeuvre enabled the FW 190 to draw away from the Spitfire which was then forced to break off the attack.
Several flights were carried out to ascertain the best evasive manoeuvres to adopt if 'bounced'. It was found that if the Spitfire was cruising at low speed and was 'bounced' by the FW 190, it was easily caught even if the FW 190 was sighted when well out of range, and the Spitfire was then forced to take avoiding action by using its superiority in turning circles. If on the other hand the Spitfire was flying at maximum continuous cruising and was 'bounced' under the same conditions, it had a reasonable chance of avoiding being caught by opening the throttle and going into a shallow dive, providing the FW 190 was seen in time. This forced the FW 190 into a stern chase, and although it eventually caught the Spitfire, it took some time and as a result was drawn a considerable distance away from its base. This is a particularly useful method of evasion for the Spitfire if it is 'bounced' when returning from a sweep. This manoeuvre has been carried out during recent operations and has been successful on several occasions.
Ifthe Spitfire VB is 'bounced' it is thought unwise to evade by diving steeply, as the FW 190 will have little difficulty in catching up owing to its superiority in the dive.

The above trials have shown that the Spitfire VB must cruise at high speed when in an area where enemy fighters can be expected. It will then, in addition to lessening the chances of being successfully 'bounced', have a better chance of catching the FW 190, particularly if it has the advantage of surprise.

Vic

[victor]

since dano55 handed me my a** in a 190a5 i started studying it a little more to determine its abilities, it is a well round plane for 1v1 ,at least in my unskilled hands i'm sure more compitite pilots could easily dispatch it. i hope  most found this article to be of usefullness,thanks for taking time to read it.

VIC

[Karnak]

Two notes:

1) The Fw190s are having their graphics and flight model redone so AH v2.03 will be different.

2) I'd not be surprised if that Spit V was at +12lbs boost.  The Spit V in AH runs at +16lbs boost.  That said, the Fw190 (flown correctly) sould heavily outmatch your typical Spit V (not Leviathn).

[Wotan]

That test was against an A-3 that was run at 1.35 ata above rated boost of 1.32 ata.

The Spit Vb was run at 12 lb boost as karnak says. The Spit Vb in AH runs at 16lbs max boost.

That test is irrelevant to the both the A-5 (runs at 1.42 ata max boost) and Vb as they are modelled in AH.

The A-5 is more then a match for the Spit 5 in AH2.

[MANDO]

Originally posted by Wotan
The A-5 is more then a match for the Spit 5 in AH2.

A5 outruns SpitV, SpitV outclimbs A5. A5 is not more than a match, is simple a fast match, easily outclimbed.

[AKFokerFoder+]

Originally posted by MANDO
A5 outruns SpitV, SpitV outclimbs A5. A5 is not more than a match, is simple a fast match, easily outclimbed.

The only thing that could be added from my $.02 is that the faster plane always has the option of controlling the fight.

If the Spit5 is diving on a slower A5, it then has the luxury of controlling the engagement. Unless of course they are at alt, then the A5 may be able to regain it’s inherent speed advantage by diving.

The great Canadian pilot Billy Bishop, the highest scoring allied ace in WW1 stated (not a verbatim quote):

The most important thing in Arial combat is gunnery.

The second is tactics entering a fight.

And least of all is flying skills themselves.

I think that the Red Baron would have agreed fully, as he was a superb marksman, a brilliant tactician, and a relatively poor pilot. (that is relatively poor for an Ace of his caliber)

In AH both would be called “cherry pickers.”  At which I am sure both would have laughed at the naivety of that statement.

[humble]

hehe....

Ever since the 1st pilot tucked a gun in his belt...

The cherry has always been mad at the picker....

[Kweassa]

In AH both would be called “cherry pickers.” At which I am sure both would have laughed at the naivety of that statement.

 Hold on a sec, Foder. I think I have a spare bullet-proof vest inside my closet.

 Really, don't go around saying things like that... you're gonna get shot in these boards.. lay low, man.

 

[Wotan]

You don't need to cherry pick in the A-5. It's a dog fighter.

If you are low with a Spit closing on you wouldn't try to 'out climb' it. You would just go nose low to maintain then to create space.

If the spit is in gun range you wouldn't try to zoom away. You would use your roll, acceleration and speed advantage to create separation. Above 250 mph or so the A-5 can climb at a higher angle then the Spit Vb as well.

A lot planes can potentially 'out climb' the A-5. That doesn't mean they can put up a fight.

That said there are a lot of good players that fly the Spit V in AH. Don't confuse the quality of the plane with the guy who flies it.

[MANDO]

Originally posted by Wotan
Above 250 mph or so the A-5 can climb at a higher angle then the Spit Vb as well.  

With lower climb rate than a Lancaster, the Spit would simply rocket up at 4000 fpm. The 190A (5, 8 or whatever) will not have a single chance to catch the spit, same for the spit if the 190 decides to run (at least at medium and lo alts). If it is about speed, one run faster horizontally and the other "run" faster vertically.

[jamusta]

Vic you still fly?

[victor]

yea  Jam i'm in the h2h most every night.

VIC