Gents,
I have always questioned the relation of climb versus accleration and I have always been told that they are directly proportionate. When I have argued this relation I have been beaten about the head and shoulders. However what if a test where performed between 4 A/C in both climb and acceleration then the results should be identical right? WRONG!!
In 1989 a group of modern military test pilots known as the "Socioty of Experamental Test Pilots"
SETP Web Page Perfomed a test called the "End of the Arguement" between the P-51D, F4U-1D, P-47D-40 and F6F-5 to determine which was the best fighter of WW2 using modern evaluation techniques.
The findings are very interesting indeed but the point I will make if this. None of the A/C were even close to being the same finish in climb and acceleration.
Here are the listed weights of each A/C in the test.
P-47D
Weight= 11,535LBS <=3,000lbs light of full combat weight
FG-1D
Weight= 11,000LBS <=1,000LBS light of full combat weight
F6F-5
Weight= 10,681 <==2000LBS light of full combat weight
P-51D= 8,900 <= 1,000LBS light of full combat weight
Climb test to 10,000FT Mil power
1. F6F-5 = 4:15
2. FG-1D = 4:45
3. P-51D = 4:55 <=hard to see exactly on chart
4. P-47D = 5:00
Acceleration Test Mil power at 10,000FT to top speed.
Note: the P-51D started at 120KNOTS. P-47D started at 110KNOTS. The F6F-5 and FG-1D started at 100KNOTS.
1. P-51D<== By a fair margin Top speed attained approx 240knots in 130seconds
2. F6F-5= Top speed attained 210Knots in 110seconds
3. P-47D= Top speed attained 215Knots in 130seconds
4. FG-1D= Top speed attained approx 230Knots in 160 seconds
So none of these a/c finished in the same order in both test.
What gives?