Originally Posted by
VO101_Kurfurst
Depends on the boost on the Merlin 4x series, IIRC the first versions were limited to +9, then gradually raised that to +12 and finally +16 in mid 1942. But even the +16 variants barely crept over 500 km/h, the ones at +9 did around 460 only. Keep in mind the 45 was basically the single-speed version of Merlin XX and it was tuned for better altitude performance at the expense of low altitude performance, the cannons and radiators also chipped down quite a bit of speed.
The 109E figures are from the official type specification sheet for the Bf 109E w. DB 601Aa engine, and the figures closely resemble the 5 min 1.35ata rating achieved on the V15a flight test. So its a bit more fiery at low alt (1045 PS).
Finally, a bit of nitpicking, "accurate" for the MG 151/15 might not be the best choice of words, it was not bad, and had terrific ballistics and high velocity (~hit probability); however as far as dispersion goes the MG FF was the most accurate and reliable of all cannons in the LW arsenal, and perhaps the world, too, with only 1 mil(!!) bullet dispersion, and practically never jamming. High velocity and ballistic power usually acts against dispersion with automatic weapons, for the simple reason the powerful rounds flex the associated long barrel quite a bit and subsequently fired rounds will suffer for it.
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