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Thread: Spit vs 109 comparison

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    Spit vs 109 comparison

    Actual comparison of Spit vs 109 with charts and many WW2 pilot comparison and observations included as supporting documentation. Very surprised to hear how many Spit pilots say they just "climbed away" from the 109, I thought the 109 could out climb the Spit.

    http://www.spitfireperformance.com/spit1vrs109e.html

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    Re: Spit vs 109 comparison

    Quote Originally Posted by Drasmorg View Post
    Actual comparison of Spit vs 109 with charts and many WW2 pilot comparison and observations included as supporting documentation. Very surprised to hear how many Spit pilots say they just "climbed away" from the 109, I thought the 109 could out climb the Spit.

    http://www.spitfireperformance.com/spit1vrs109e.html
    That's the thing about anecdotes... everyone has one.

    So the question you'd have to ask the pilot:

    - What model of 109? How much Fuel? (because of course, different models climb better at different altitudes, or climb better period... or climb worse period)

    - What model of Spitfire? How much Fuel? (because of course, different models climb better at different altitudes, or climb better period... or climb worse period)

    - What altitude was the climb contest at? (because of course, different engines produce different horsepower levels at different altitudes... at lower altitudes, 100 octane Merlins produce more horsepower than DB601A/N's... but at higher altitudes, the numbers are reversed)

    - What was the radiator opening for the aircraft?

    - What were the rpms and boost settings? Were the pilots using maximum boost ratings or 30 minute ratings? Were they using max rpms or 'continuous' (climb) setting rpms?

    - What was the starting speed of the two aircraft? Was one travelling faster? (99% of the time, aircraft in combat are traveling at different speeds and of course, that makes a huge difference in how well they climb)

    - How experienced were the pilots?

    - What was the climb speed setting? (because of course, optimum climb speed is different depending on the aircraft)

    There are dozens of variables which determine which aircraft might have an advantage or disadvantage or which might climb better... (because of course, in an anecdotal account, there is no way to determine what the opposing observed aircraft might have as an advantage or disadvantage because it is an anecdote... not a scientifically observed test)

    Etc. etc. etc.

    And by the way, of course I have every document shown in the WWII Aircraft site... as well as many others... all of which I refer to very carefully.
    Last edited by RAF74_Buzzsaw; Feb-03-2019 at 02:35.

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