A6M2 Performance.

[CAP1]

I've always understood that the Zero and the F4F had the same top speed of 331 mph, don't remember where I seen or read that but I do remember it clearly because of them being the same.

you guys are all talking top speed. but no one is defining top speed though?


top speed=VNE? or top speed= top cruise speed?

[Cajunn]

you guys are all talking top speed. but no one is defining top speed though?


top speed=VNE? or top speed= top cruise speed?

I would guess that is why there are so many different numbers out there because it depends on so many different things (altitude, fuel load etc.)

[Karnak]

I've read many accounts of F4F pilots who explained some of thier tactics by saying that the Zero was faster than the F4F and they couldn't run.

[CAP1]

I would guess that is why there are so many different numbers out there because it depends on so many different things (altitude, fuel load etc.)

yes, alt., fuel load, weather conditions, etc.

everyone's making a big fuss about the fuel they had, but i think the japanese had taken that into account when they built their planes.


VNE that i had mentioned is the never exceed speed.
 that was why i had asked what definition of top speed we were using.  top cruise speed(maximum structural cruise), leaves you with more speed to call on, even if you do have to pitch nose low to get it.

 really though, i think the top speeds aren't as important as things like wing loading, turning ability, e-retention, etc.

these planes certianly don't turnfight at their top speeds.

even in the attempts to re-set the fight, i think acceleration is more important than top speed.

[killrDan]

thanks for the info busa 
 i love reading about my favorite plane
                   ,grey

[Angus]

Top speed is usually defined being the highest TAS in level flight.
So, it varies with alt and load....

[CAP1]

Top speed is usually defined being the highest TAS in level flight.
So, it varies with alt and load....

SO WE'RE TALKING MAX. STRUCTURAL  cruise then, as opposed to never exceed.......

[Golfer]

No they're talking about the highest true airspeed that can be attained in cruise flight.

Throw enough fuel at the problem and you'll go plenty fast and max out in the mid to upper 20's in most airplanes capable of producing power at those altitudes.  The heavier you are at a given altitude the more fuel you'll burn at that speed.  As the temperature changes is where you'll see the more drastic changes in performance which don't have anything to do with the maximum structural cruise published on your 172.

[Angus]

That would be the upper end of the most economical cruise speed.
That one is frequently free of quotes in aviation publishing.

[321BAR]

zekefights end up at 150mph and slower anyways. The only advantage to a few more MPH is getting around the map a bit quicker.

Not truly, i've been able to keep that 5B at a somewhat ok speed and still get a good fight in, just harder to do against the turnfighters, but a BnZer or a fat ftr (P47/P51) low alt, i can get on its six and kill it if i have a little alt (2k+3k) on it, and an angle. the nme is runnin straight and maybe just pulled out of a fight and was slow, but it still dies , tried it in a A6M2 but i cant get the kill at all  , just cant do it

[RipChord929]

Having worked at a place comparable to a museum (big public aquarium), I promise you that the sign still says 390mph.  Exhibit signage tends to be run by committees that never accomplish anything except for making things worse.  For example, we had a sign that made an outright false claim about the leopard shark, and it took 6 months to have it changed after I pointed it out.   They even had a model shark jaw with the teeth in backwards and wouldn't take my word for until they asked the guy with the phd, and all the while 9 year olds were asking "aren't those teeth backwards?".

Well, the overpaid eggheads have to justify their existance somehow right???

[321BAR]

Well, the overpaid eggheads have to justify their existance somehow right???

[Angus]

So, commitees=people who have the power politically.
So, they are the eggheads right?

[Anaxogoras]

Committee people are hardly the types I would call "eggheads," at least, that's not how that word is traditionally used.  And as Angus points out, committees are the locus of power in institutions that are run by the incompetent and therefore threatened by individual ability.

[MiloMorai]

Don't know the source but probably from American testing. Speed is Vm.