P51-D vs F4U-4 & P38-L

[HellFire]

I've read articles regarding the 3 airplanes listed under Subject, & noticed quite a few similarities between the planes.   Would someone who's an expert & familiar with the a/c in question, make & post the following films for our perusal, pls?

      (1)  P51-D vs F4u-4     (2)  P51-D vs P38-L   (3) F4U-4 vs P38-L

I've searched our bulletin board and in "Films" & found the subjects mentioned
missing.   Would any of the experienced trainers acquiesce to this request?  TY.

[Ack-Ack]

P-51D vs. P-38L with equal pilots, unless the P-51D is going to Boom and Zoom with a significant energy and altitude advantage, the P-38L is going to win.  In a co-Energy fight, the P-38L will be able to gain the advantage by keeping the fight in the vertical, where it excels far better than the Mustang.  If the P-51D tries to turn, the P-38L again has the edge. 

Basically, the best chance is for the P-51D to come in fast from an altitude advantage and try and BnZ or if you're like most P-51 drivers, wait until the Lighting is engaged with another bandit and then come in for the pick.

The P-51D driver also has to be careful when he makes his high speed passes.  The good P-38 drivers will know how to wear you down and bleed enough of your energy to either steal the advantage from you and match your energy state and get you as you go vertical or force you into a turn fight and get you that way.


ack-ack

[Saxman]

F4U-4

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

As a pure dogfighter in a co alt co E situation with equal pilots, the P-38L is easily the equal to the P-51. The F4U-4 is an entirely different subject, that plane is likely the best piston engine prop driven fighter built. The combination of excellent HP and an efficient prop is difficult to beat. The F4U-4 is what the P-38K would have been.

[Bodhi]

The F4u-4 was the best WW2 prop fighter ever built, I think the F6F-6 would have been a monster as well. The Bearcat trumps even the -4.

[CAP1]

The F4u-4 was the best WW2 prop fighter ever built, I think the F6F-6 would have been a monster as well. The Bearcat trumps even the -4.

i thought the bearcat was an F8F?

[whiteman]

i thought the bearcat was an F8F?

it is, F6F is the Hellcat.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

The F4u-4 was the best WW2 prop fighter ever built, I think the F6F-6 would have been a monster as well. The Bearcat trumps even the -4.

Well, yeah, I left a little bit of room there, didn't I? To be more clear, the F4U-4 is the best piston engine prop driven fighter to see actual serious combat. The F8F is actually a World War II piston engine prop driven fighter. As is the F7F. But neither saw real serious combat, if any combat at all. Wasn't their fault the enemy was already done. Sort of like the fact that it was not Lockheed's fault that the WPB and the USAAF couldn't see the real potential of the P-38K. I've always wondered what the P-38K could have done with a four blade version of that prop.

[Bodhi]

Well, yeah, I left a little bit of room there, didn't I? To be more clear, the F4U-4 is the best piston engine prop driven fighter to see actual serious combat. The F8F is actually a World War II piston engine prop driven fighter. As is the F7F. But neither saw real serious combat, if any combat at all. Wasn't their fault the enemy was already done. Sort of like the fact that it was not Lockheed's fault that the WPB and the USAAF couldn't see the real potential of the P-38K. I've always wondered what the P-38K could have done with a four blade version of that prop.

The same Curtis Electric prop with four blades would likely not fit on the aircraft.  Clearance would be an issue.

I'd like to see the 38 with Merlins and the cuffed blades of the Mustang.  The drop in weight from removing the turbo's and equipment with additional streamlining from removing the intercoolers.  That'd be badarse imho.

[Wmaker]

Clearance would be an issue.

Why would clearance be an issue? The diameter of the prop would remain the same.

[CAP1]

Why would clearance be an issue? The diameter of the prop would remain the same.

NOT  that i should go here......

but since it was asked about ingame........i've had a well flown p47 give me fits in my 38J. i think it was n72. was surprised to see him in an american ride....and VERY surprised a p47 outperformed me in a slow speed turnfight.

[Scherf]

Yeah, the "wt F ?!?!" factor is higher with some guys in the Jug. Fit ter give me conniptions.

[Ack-Ack]

and VERY surprised a p47 outperformed me in a slow speed turnfight.

It shouldn't.  Only reason it did is that somewhere along the line you messed up.


ack-ack

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

The same Curtis Electric prop with four blades would likely not fit on the aircraft.  Clearance would be an issue.

I'd like to see the 38 with Merlins and the cuffed blades of the Mustang.  The drop in weight from removing the turbo's and equipment with additional streamlining from removing the intercoolers.  That'd be badarse imho.

I was talking about a 4 blade version of the 3 blade Hamilton Standard Paddle prop used on the P-38K. They raised the gear box up and raised the centerline of the prop shaft to make it fit the P-38.

According to the study Lockheed did, the Merlin would add weight, not remove it. At least that's what Warren Bodie said, and he had access to the original study.

[CAP1]

It shouldn't.  Only reason it did is that somewhere along the line you messed up.


ack-ack

yea...i figured that...it was a rare occasion i didn't have film running.......which sucked for me.