51D or 47M?

[rabid]

which is the tougher fighter for you to defeat if all is equal...51D or 47M?

[BnZs]

Against most people, the 47M. It has a faster roll rate, better instantaneous turn, is more resistant to snapshots, and its guns will chew you up at any opportunity.

However, I believe the 51 can usually win a co-E 1v1 at typical MA altitudes, because it will hold onto energy better and sustain a better rate in the sustained nose-to-tail chase while using barrel rolls to avoid nose-to-nose falling prey to scissors, eventually wearing down the Jug. However, this takes time. A Jug with a bit of E or an angle on the pony can be aggressive and bite harder. Thus, its probably scarier to have a Jug on your six.

[mausil]

47 no doubt 

[Debrody]

Jug wins   
Better flaps, better handling, more firepower, and the same speed and climb rate (for 5 minutes).

[Soulyss]

I would rather fight the pony, the reason being that both planes will be considerably faster than what I'm typically flying.  I would approach the fight the same way regardless of whether it's a 47M or 51, but the better firepower and durability of the 47 means I have to fly a much cleaner engagement and if I get a snapshot I better land it because in either case they will be able to put the nose down and walk away from me, anytime I have to rely on my aim I'm usually in trouble.

[BoilerDown]

I almost always fly the Yak-9U, and I'd say with a full load of ammo, the P47M would be easier to defeat.  Its a bigger target and loses a lot when its WEP runs out, and its not as tough to cannon fire as is made out on TV (especially to fuel leaks).  But more than that, the P-51 usually just runs away, the P-47 sticks around and fights.  Its more a reflection of the pilots than the aircraft.  I'm also more likely to lose to a P-47M than a P-51.  Fights with P-51s usually result in a draw, which means between the two, it is tougher for me to defeat.

[BnZs]

Jug wins   
Better flaps, better handling, more firepower, and the same speed and climb rate (for 5 minutes).

P-51 retains energy better and sustains a higher turn rate. That is usually enough if you have time enough to play with your food. And if you know to not toss out more than 1 notch of flaps until the "endgame".

[moot]

51.  The 47's too overweight.

[curry1]

P-51 retains energy better and sustains a higher turn rate. That is usually enough if you have time enough to play with your food. And if you know to not toss out more than 1 notch of flaps until the "endgame".

What? how does the pony-D turn better then any jug?

[BnZs]

What? how does the pony-D turn better then any jug?

With ONE notch of flaps deployed, in a nose-to-tail turn. It's sustained turn rate, as opposed to turn radius, is a little better. (Rate and radius, know the difference...it is important.)

[TwoStep]

Depends on the pilot.

In most cases, the P47 would be the one to worry about- people who fly them light are generally out for blood, and they know the machine.

The P51 carries it's legacy in it's back pocket ("P-51 won the war, it should pwn!").  It's also the choice for run-stangers ("Run away!  He's got GUNS!"), BUT there's also the few who fly it because it really is an excellent fighter and well suited to actually, you know, fighting.   Much bigger population base, so a much more varied threat, from none at all to your worst nightmare. 

The bigger threat based on a/c performance alone is the P-51, hands down.

The bigger threat based on what you'll actually run into in game is the P-47- again, hands down. 

[Noir]

P51 - the jug can't climb nor accelerate, and I tend to fight in the verticals. and the P51 rolls better IMO

[B-17]

47- if you get up high and dive down onto someones 6 or 3, its pretty much unstoppable. until you need to get back to 5k in theDA to land.

[STEELE]

Everything U need to know about flying the P-47!  
http://rwebs.net/avhistory/opsman/pursuit/section6.htm

What I find especially interesting is the "Do Not Lower Flaps Above 195 mph" warning!  
I wonder if the Fw190 manuals say the same thing?   

[Widewing]

P51 - the jug can't climb nor accelerate, and I tend to fight in the verticals. and the P51 rolls better IMO

The P-47M out-climbs the P-51D from sea level to 10k, by about 15%. It accelerates faster than the P-51D at sea level. Roll rates are too close to be a factor, accept that the P-47M has less adverse yaw.

Around 25k, the P-47M has a significant edge. Above 30k, the P-51 is badly outclassed.