P-47d40 vs. d25

[Slade]

A question to HiTech or you long time vets...

All things being equal (pilot skill etc.), which turns better below 10k: P-47d40 vs. P-47d25?


Thanks,

Slade 

[Krusty]

So close that it's a draw, it will depend on energy states beginning the turn, or what loadout and how much fuel one or the other had on board. The no-flap turn radius difference was 10 feet once upon a time, and the full-flaps was all of about 20 feet.

[atlau]

How about acceleration? The d40 once light tho isnt thaaat bad

[The Fugitive]

I like the D25, it just "feels" lighter and quick to respond than the others. Just like the 38J vs 38L. Numbers are so close that it doesnt matter much but the J "feels" so much lighter and responsive to me.

I think its going to be pilot skill that puts one over the other. Even the same pilot will fly them a bit differently, and can make that difference in performance.

[bozon]

D40 has a bit better WEP (100 more HP or so).
D25 turns better because it has prettier skins.

[DaveBB]

I like the D25, it just "feels" lighter and quick to respond than the others. Just like the 38J vs 38L. Numbers are so close that it doesnt matter much but the J "feels" so much lighter and responsive to me.

I think its going to be pilot skill that puts one over the other. Even the same pilot will fly them a bit differently, and can make that difference in performance.

For these tests, you eliminate all variables. 

[The Fugitive]

For these tests, you eliminate all variables.

But that is what Im saying I fly a 25 different than I fly the 40. Same pilot, different fight.

[Krusty]

if pilot A took just 2 minutes longer to enter the fight that's enough to sway the fight in one way or another. They're that close that you couldn't practically control the variables.

[YUCCA]

I've dueled for hours d25vd40.  I've found very little difference between the two.  It will come down to the pilot pretty much every time.

[Oldman731]

I've dueled for hours d25vd40.  I've found very little difference between the two.  It will come down to the pilot pretty much every time.

...somehow...I know how that comes out, Yucca.

- oldman

[Devil 505]

I wonder how different the actual planes were. The fillet added to the vert stab must have remedied some lateral stability issue from the D-25.

[LilMak]

As noted. Very similar in a dogfight. D-25 is a little lighter and will get around on a D-40 in a sustained flat turn...eventually. D-40 has a bit more HP and will hang on the prop a fraction longer. D-40 seems a bit more stable. If you're not overly familiar with P-47s, you probably won't notice any difference. In close quarters combat with equal pilots and E states, its just a coin flip.

If you're a turn and burn guy, you'll might prefer the 25. ZnB maybe the 40.

[Krusty]

I wonder how different the actual planes were. The fillet added to the vert stab must have remedied some lateral stability issue from the D-25.

Often times in WW2 the progression of a variant doesn't mean there has to be improved performance. Sometimes you lose performance but for a good reason. In real life they weren't all just about the virtual numbers. 

[Devil 505]

Krusty, the fillet was not there to "improve" performance but to remedy an existing or potential issue in lateral stability caused by the reduced fuselage area when the bubble-top replaced the razorback. The only question is whether this difference in stability was noticeable by the pilots, and if so, which type was thought to have a less restrictive flight envelope. It is entirely possible that Jug pilots could have thought that the D-25 was more responsive because it was less stable in the tail and thought it advantageous.

[Krusty]

Devil: Yes, I got that. Just the way you worded it sounded like you expected there to be more of a result. No worries.