Un-perk the Spit xiv, or.....

[Karnak]

LOL, heck yea, I would also choose to fly a spit in Europe over American fighters. The American fighters had to go deep into enemy territory when the spit pilots stayed close to home, lol.

Oddly enough, in the Battle of Britain, the Allied fighters (RAF) were defensive.  Since the Battle of Britain was the fight referenced by you as a place in which the Typhoon or P-51 would be preferable to a Spitfire, I was correcting you.  The P-51 would be a horrible choice compared to a contemporary Spitfire.  The Typhoon would be ok, but had poor performance at altitude.

Seeing as you don't know what you are talking about, I suggest you follow Lincoln's advice and keep silent.  Might want to actually open some history books too.

[Oldman731]

Suggest you do some serious reading smoe.

The 2nd Tactical Air Force pilots flew within 10 minutes of the front lines in the NW Europe campaign. They flew 2-4 sorties per day, not just one. They destroyed 1454 e/a between June 1944 and May 1945, the Spitfire being their primary air superiority fighter...I guess spending all that time "close to home"? 

Enough to make you weep, ditto to that. "WW2 history brought to you by the movie Memphis Belle". 

While Smoe's observations have some serious flaws, he has a point here.  British fighter pilot accounts often mention how frustrated they were that the Americans were able to penetrate to the heart of Germany while the range of British fighters precluded them from joining.  2 TAF wasn't on the Continent until June, 1944, so its combat time was necessarily limited to a period of less than a year.  US escort missions were running in force from early summer, 1943.  You can compare 8th and 9th AF kills during that period with those you cited for the 2 TAF.

- oldman

[Karnak]

While Smoe's observations have some serious flaws, he has a point here.  British fighter pilot accounts often mention how frustrated they were that the Americans were able to penetrate to the heart of Germany while the range of British fighters precluded them from joining.  2 TAF wasn't on the Continent until June, 1944, so its combat time was necessarily limited to a period of less than a year.  US escort missions were running in force from early summer, 1943.  You can compare 8th and 9th AF kills during that period with those you cited for the 2 TAF.

- oldman

Yeah, but he was responding to a post about the best fighter for a Battle of Britain scenario, not a generic best fighter.  The ability to fly to Berlin in the summer of 1940 would be of very limited use for an Allied fighter.

[Guppy35]

LOL, heck yea, I would also choose to fly a spit in Europe over American fighters. The American fighters had to go deep into enemy territory when the spit pilots stayed close to home, lol.

Keep in mind the Spit drivers were in combat from 1939 on and were taking it across the Channel long before American fighters got there.  Also keep in mind the US fighters weren't going deep until 1944 and then in limited numbers to start.  Also keep in mind that those US fighter drivers who lead that effort included many who had gotten their start with the RAF in Spitfires.

I would strongly suggest you do some actual research on this stuff before you go throwing out nonsense.  Start with Don Blakeslee's career since he lead the first Mustangs going deep.  Check his Spitfire time.  Gabby Gabreski would be another.  The list goes on and on.

[smoe]

Ok, ok, I did some more research. I finally found some convincing evidence. They achieved a kill ratio of 11:1 in tea and crumpets.

[SlapShot]

Keep in mind the Spit drivers were in combat from 1939 on and were taking it across the Channel long before American fighters got there.  Also keep in mind the US fighters weren't going deep until 1944 and then in limited numbers to start.  Also keep in mind that those US fighter drivers who lead that effort included many who had gotten their start with the RAF in Spitfires.

I would strongly suggest you do some actual research on this stuff before you go throwing out nonsense.  Start with Don Blakeslee's career since he lead the first Mustangs going deep.  Check his Spitfire time.  Gabby Gabreski would be another.  The list goes on and on.

Nice try Dan ... it appears as tho he is actually more interested in trolling and being an arse than trying to learn something ... don't waste any more of your time.

[Karnak]

Ok, ok, I did some more research. I finally found some convincing evidence. They achieved a kill ratio of 11:1 in tea and crumpets.

It is nice of you to admit to being a moron.  That is the first step towards healing.  I wish you well on your long road to recovery.