Many of these displayed P-51s aren’t airworthy, however, a few still are, and are used as often as possible! Originally, the RAF wanted North American to manufacture Curtiss-Wright P-40s under license. Over 20,000 Spitfires were produced between 1938 and 1948. Down low, I take the tighter turning Spitfire. Thanks! Spitfire vs. Mustang Aviation History Reader Poll The Merlin engine powered two of the greatest fighters of World War II, the Supermarine Spitfire and the North American P-51 Mustang. Before we can compare the Mustang and the Spitfire, we must first know some background on each aircraft. When the Mk IX was manufactured, it had impressive features. Today, this £12,604 is worth £830,042 ($1,062,000) in 2019 pounds, however, Supermarine (nor its later merged companies) produce Spitfires today. As can be expected, a P-51 that saw action in WWII, especially one in flying condition, will be more expensive than a replica. Replacing the Allison with a Rolls-Royce Merlin resulted in the P-51B/C (Mustang Mk III) model and transformed the aircraft’s performance at altitudes above 15,000 ft (4,600 m) (without sacrificing range),[9] allowing it to compete with the Luftwaffe’s fighters. Mustang Mk.X conversions: AG518: Used for engine installation studies, but due to a lack of guns, armour and wireless equipment, it was deemed by Rolls-Royce to be "below" latest production standards and not converted. P-51 Mustang vs. Spitfire – A Comparison Comparing the North American P-51D Mustang against the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVIIIe flying at the same airshow. The Mustang became known as an escort fighter, while the Thunderbolt took more of a role as a fighter-bomber. Its unit cost was US$50,985 in 1945. Many of them similarly said that the Spitfire was iconic. The FW-190 D was the first production FW-190 to use a liquid-cooled engine and was a very good high-altitude interceptor equal to the North American P-51 Mustang or Supermarine Spitfire … These two aircraft were designed for completely different missions, their design origins were completely different, and their deployment was completely different. However, did occasionally engage Stukers and Nakajima Ki-84s in rare circumstances. P-47 vs P-51: America’s Best WWII Fighter? 6 × 0.50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns (380 rounds per gun); 1,000 pounds (450 kg) of bombs, 8 × .303 in Browning Mk II machine guns (350 rounds per gun). the spitfire in my mind is a beautiful a/c and so is the p 51 mustang. As such, they never fought one another. The huge P47 is often overlooked. Throughout and after the war, several variants of both the P-51 Mustang and the Spitfire were developed. If you wanted a bomber escort then it had to be the p51. By the end of the war, squadrons of Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, French and even Soviet Spitfires! Survivability – Mustang When I asked several avgeeks which aircraft they preferred, I naturally received a mixture of responses as usual. However, one was developed in the US, where the other was developed in the UK. It wasn’t pretty but it was a good all around fighter bomber. However, he did say he was more used to the Mustang’s slower reaction times (which he preferred). The P-47 Thunderbolt and the P-51 Mustang fought side-by-side with the Allies in World War II. Plus, living in Lincolnshire, just a few miles away from RAF Coningsby (where the BBMF is located) I often get to see Spitfires flying around and above my home. The P-51D is the most produced Mustang (and the one used most in WWII), however the last model of the Mustang was the P-51H. That’s so smart! Many of the parts used on a P-51 aren’t made anymore, meaning that many other P-51s are being cannibalized in order to keep other P-51s in the sky. Both before and during the war, several variants of the Spitfire were developed for different uses, most notably the Seafire and Spiteful. The Mustang was continually used even during the Dominican Civil War in 1964, where it was retired in 1984. Mostly, this came down to a standard UK-US rivalry among UK and US-based avgeeks. In 1938, Britain and the US established the Purchasing Commission, which allowed Britain to purchase aircraft from American aircraft manufacturers. The Mustang was also much quicker than the Spitfire, with a much longer combat range. Many of these Spitfires were flown by retired Spitfire pilots at airshows all around the world. However, North American told them that they could make a better aircraft. Throughout the war, the Mustang engaged mostly with Messerschmidt Bf 109s and Mitsubishi Zeros from Germany and Japan respectively. > > The P-51 had a smaller tail plane and elevators than the Spitfire VIII, > the same rudder area as the broad chord rudder but about twice the > vertical fin area. As a result, the Spitfire’s performance and capabilities improved over the course of its service life. Mitchell continued to refine the design until his death in 1937, whereupon his colleague Joseph Smith took over as chief designer, overseeing the Spitfire’s development through its multitude of variants. The Spitfire continues to be popular among enthusiasts; nearly 60 remain airworthy, and many more are static exhibits in aviation museums throughout the world. For me, the Spitfire is truly the most iconic aircraft to have ever flown. Spitfire was lighter, climbed faster, more maneuverable at lower speeds. © International Aviation HQ. Maneuverability – Spitfire But the p515th had the range. As such, we will compare the specifications of the two most common variants of the Mustang and Spitfire. Amazon Affiliates Disclosure. Rather than build an old design from another company, North American Aviation proposed the design and production of a more modern fighter. Three Spitfires and two P-51Ds. Another serious fault of the Mustang was it’s weakness in the ground attack roll. Spitfire VS. Mustang. Much loved by its pilots, the Spitfire served in several roles, including interceptor, photo-reconnaissance, fighter-bomber, and trainer, and it continued to serve in these roles until the 1950s. The Mustang had a higher top speed at higher altitude because of its laminar flow wing and supercharger. I get you're a fanboy for the P-51 but the spitfire can do many things the P-51 can't do, just as the P-51 can do just as many things as the spitfire can't. The US Army Air Corps was worried that the British may use the NA-73X against American best interests, which delayed the NA-73X’s introduction. Compare the two,please. Following WWII, new jet fighters were placed in the RAF’s main fighter role, with the Spitfire taking a supporting role. However, Spitfire units had a lower attrition rate and a higher victory-to-loss ratio than those flying Hurricanes because of the Spitfire’s higher performance. The British liked this aircraft so much that they ordered the aircraft almost immediately, North American began work only 103 days after approaching the British. "So wich one would you bet your money on in a clash between the two" if you are british the spit ,hurricane, avro lank are part of our folklore ,these are the a/c that saved us from the evil nazi swarm that tryed in vain to destroy our Ever. The Mustang served long after WWII, as the primary fighter in several air forces’ fleet. P-51, also called Mustang, a single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft originally designed and produced by North American Aviation for the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and later adopted by the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF). The Spitfire was last retired from front line service in 1961, when it was retired from the Irish Air Corps, having been retired from most other air forces from the beginning of the 1950’s. P-51s were not only used in WWII, however, it is the conflict that made them famous. Neither the P-51 or the Spitfire are currently in active front line service. During the battle, Spitfires were generally tasked with engaging Luftwaffe fighters—mainly Messerschmitt Bf 109E-series aircraft, which were a close match for them. Its thin wing profile wasn’t up to the stresses. Main difference was size: Spitfire small, Mustang large. Spitfire vs Mustang These are the figures I’ve got for the Mustang and Spitfire – there are variations depending on what you read so I’ve got an average. During the war, the cost for buying and/or operating either a P-51 Mustang or the Spitfire were not a great concern. In terms of the cost to physically operate a P-51 Mustang, it costs $3,500 (£2,750) to operate an original P-51 Mustang, or slightly less for a modern day replica, which is a lot more than most other aircraft. By January 1957, the US military had completely retired their fleet of P-51s. For almost every American I asked, their preferred aircraft was the P-51, stating that it was truly an American icon, the same way that aircraft like the 747 and 787 are today! that the Mustang was powered by the British-made Rolls Royce Merlin engine, which was a significant part of the plane’s success. > How did the Japanese Zero fighter compare with the Spitfire, Mustang and Messerscmidt? 100 oct fuel helped zilch above ~16500 ft. link Many of them also gave the quote “It’s truly the most iconic American WWII fighter!”. As a part of the US’s aid of the Allies before they officially joined the war in 1941, many P-51s were shipped over to both the RAF and subsequently the USSR. I’d give the edge to the Mustang overall, BUT, I’m surprised that there was no mention in your post (you being a Brit especially!) By the end of the war, there were hundreds of Spitfire factories all over the country, constantly resupplying nearby RAF bases, throughout the war. P51B/C – 440mph at 30,000ft with a 1,650hp Merlin. You needed more sky for a p515th than you did for a spitfire. Here is a great book about the P51 Mustang P-51 Mustang: Seventy-Five Years of America's Most Famous Warbird Hardcover – October 19, 2015 by Cory Graff. Rob Arndt: 12/2/08 9:43 AM: I have heard that when the Mustang pilots applied power for t/o that it took full right rudder to overcome a tendency for a bad tail-swing. Altitude – Mustang Until recently I would never have believed that a Mustang would be the better aircraft, that’s just the way patriotism was in the 50’s & 60’s in the UK. Despite the advent of jet fighters, the Mustang remained in service with some air forces until the early 1980s. Your email address will not be published. Not to mention six Spitfires which are in the world famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). Engine Performance – Spitfire. I think the Mustang can outsprint the Spit but she is more agile. Possibly the best aircraft for this was the Hawker Tempest, though I’ll grant you that the Jug’s engine made it more rugged. So the right combination would be either the P-51D, Vs the Spitfire LF Mk.IX, or P-51H, Vs the Mk.24. It’s only failing was its lack of range. The P51 is not as bad as many make out provided you keep it light-ish (sub 14 ounces all up) Incidentally I wholeheartedly endorse your point about using a … Weirdly, both the Cessna Citation Mustang and the Ford Mustang are two of the things who are named in honor of the WWII fighter. Showing 1-73 of 73 messages. was slightly nicer to fly? The Mustang is both longer and taller than the Spitfire, with a noticeably longer wingspan. At the start of the Korean War, the Mustang, by then re-designated F-51, was the main fighter of the United Nations until jet fighters, including North American’s F-86, took over this role; the Mustang then became a specialized fighter-bomber. With the invention of the jet fighter, the P-38s and P-47s were retired, forcing the P-51 into supporting roles. Comparing the North American P-51D Mustang against the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVIIIe flying at the same airshow. After the Battle of Britain, the Spitfire superseded the Hurricane to become the backbone of RAF Fighter Command, and saw action in the European, Mediterranean, Pacific, and South-East Asian theatres. They even divided the job of kicking Axis ass between them by the end of the war. Spitfire vs Bf 109, Battle of Britain by Tony It was an effective fighter and ground attack aircraft. By the late 1940’s, it looked as though the Mustang was obsolete. But if you wanted a down-and-dirty street fighter that could sunshine the me109s and fw190s then it had to be the spit. After the Korean War, Mustangs became popular civilian warbirds and air racing aircraft. I’m fortunate to have flown both in original configuration. The P-51 Mustang was originally designed for the RAF. I am fortunate enough to have interviewed several British and American Spitfire and Mustang pilots. This is far cheaper than modern fighter jets like the F-22 and F-35. Range – Mustang A documentary I saw did mention the different roles each fighter was designed for and concluded that deciding which plane was superior was not possible due to the vastly different roles each had. The most common variant of the P-51 Mustang is the P-51D, previously in service with the RAAF, SAAF and USAF. The aircraft was first flown operationally by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a tactical-reconnaissance aircraft and fighter-bomber (Mustang Mk I). All rights reserved. We can take a look at speed figures achieved on boost up to +6.25 psi (= 87 oct minimum), SPitfire I was good for 360+ mph by the time ww2 started. Both the Spitfire and Mustang served in WWII, often side-by-side. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Purchasing Commission approached North American Aviation to build Curtiss P-40 fighters under license for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Not to mention the insurance premiums! Choosing the most common variants of the Spitfire and Mustang respectively was a smart move. Supermairne did not have such data on the Spitfire, so they started weighing all the parts they could get a hold of and made a report for Schmued. A replica on the other hand can set you back roughly $65,000 (£51,000). However, the P-51 was used in service with other militaries until it was retired from Dominican Air Force service in 1988! This can be done in one of two ways- a replica or an original. By 1936, the Type 300 entered production as the Supermarine Spitfire in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham. Schmued wanted to know why the Spitfires were so much lighter than the P-51. In the 1930’s, with the advancement in wing designs, the need for a biplane configuration was seemingly not the peak of aircraft design. As such, the RAF began looking for a replacement aircraft. Engine temperature control was critical and the cooling of oil and water went through that scoop under the fuselage. P-51 Mustang vs Spitfire: Specs. P-51 Mustang vs Spitfire. However, when the Korean War broke out in June 1950, the Mustang was loaded on to aircraft carriers by the thousands and were transported to Korea. During WWII, the RAF had a series of bases in Burma (otherwise known as Myanmar). Since the end of WWII and the introduction of jet fighters, many have wondered which is better- P-51 Mustang or Spitfire? Plextek Partners with Griff Aviation on Heavy Lift Autonomous Drones. The NA-73X first flew on October 24 1940. Ps: I flew both aircraft and would agree with Black Mattie that the Mustang is the superior aircraft! Spitfire was a far more streamlined machine than Bf 109E, let alone than Hurricane, and Merlin III have had a better altitude performance than DB 601A; a good turn of speed can be expected. P-51 Mustang Bad Tail-Swing vs Spitfire??? a global news service for the unmanned aircraft systems community. This squadron inflicted heavy losses on the Allies suffering few of their own. Your email address will not be published. Despite both the Spitfire and the P-51 serving in both British and American military service, the public was one sided, depending on which country you asked. Armament – A snitch to the Spitfire due to cannon, but the standard 50cal vs 303 is a no brainer Due to its role in both WWII and Korea, many P-51s have gone on display in museums across the world. The Spitfire was designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor aircraft by R. J. Mitchell, chief designer at Supermarine Aviation Works, which operated as a subsidiary of Vickers-Armstrong from 1928. However, several air forces do keep a small fleet of Mustangs or Spitfires to this day. Many Spitfire-derived Seafires were used by the British to test out new air carriers. Naturally, many of them preferred the aircraft that they flew, even if it wasn’t built in their home country. As usual, we asked several different groups about their opinions on the matter of “Mustang vs Spitfire?”. After the war, the USAAF consolidated itself greatly. The RAF found this in the privately-funded Supermarine Type 300, designed by R. J. Mitchell. Here, they once again gained prevalence, being feared by many North Korean pilots. Cessna had many workers who had worked on the P-51, where Ford named it in order to sell to former Mustang pilots. This one was perhaps the most divisive of them all. ; AM121: This aircraft arrived at the Rolls-Royce Flight Test Establishment at Hucknall on 7 June 1942 and was the first to be delivered but the last to be converted. Spitfire, on the other hand, used the Merlin 60/70 series engine. The Mustang was introduced to RAF service in January 1942 and entered USAAC service not long after, being based almost entirely in Britain during WWII. )- stating that it was a British icon from a bygone era. The most common variant of the Spitfire is the Spitfire Mk VB, previously in service with the RAAF, SAAF and RAF. During World War II, Mustang pilots claimed to have destroyed 4,950 enemy aircraft. The Spitfire fought in the front line throughout WW2 and beyond.The Mustang was a latecomer,fitted with a Rolls/Royce(Later Packard built)Merlin engine. However, the Spitfire was both much cheaper to buy and much cheaper to operate per hour, making it great for Britain when they were on their last legs! The P-51 has incredibly high maintenance costs. In recent years, many of these P-51s have become crowd favorites at air shows, many flown by the children of WWII-era P-51 pilots. The Mustang also flew much higher than the Spitfire, giving it a noticeable advantage. combination of the airframe and british engine led to the B version that had outstanding range performance when compared to air defence dedicated Spitfire. As such, we will compare the specifications of the two most common variants of the Mustang and Spitfire. Featured image courtesy of Andrew-M-Whitman via Flickr. Many of these factories were subsequently shut down. The Spitfire didn’t see anymore front line action after the end of WWII. The F Mk.XIV was also not the last, or most powerful one, that would be the Mk.24. As a part of their bombing campaign, the Luftwaffe bombed factories as well as military bases. Your email address will not be published. Several veterans, a few British and a few Americans that were interviewed, all seemed to prefer the Spitfire, I think due to its slightly superior manoeuvrability. Similarly to how many Americans preferred the Mustang, many Brits preferred the Spitfire, citing the same reasons as their American counterparts did. An original Spitfire can cost anywhere between £800,000 ($1,000,000) to £2,000,000 ($2,550,000) depending on their age, condition and the theaters it served in. It was also the only British fighter produced continuously throughout the war. The definitive version, the P-51D, was powered by the Packard V-1650-7, a license-built version of the two-speed two-stage-supercharged Merlin 66, and was armed with six .50 caliber (12.7 mm) AN/M2 Browning machine guns. Looking at both Warbirds at a technical point of view and at the takeoff, simulated dogfight, low passes and landing. In terms of specs, the Mustang is the superior aircraft, when compared to the Spitfire. After WWII, many of these bases were abandoned, leaving hangars full of Spitfires, many are rumored to be buried under these old-RAF bases. Before I even read the article I had it summed up as But, I am a Brit, and grew up watching movies and going to airshows where the Spitfire was the star attraction. Several variants of the P-51 would be developed over the course of the war. Your email address will not be published. Spitfire -vs- Mustang first warbird choice. Gareth Seagull is a traveler and former Airbus A320 pilot. Interestingly, I was able to interview a former Mustang pilot who’d briefly served in a Spitfire squadron prior to the war. By the late 1950’s, the RAF had phased out their Spitfire fighter squadrons, save for the BBMF and trainer squadrons. More specifically, they were used to test how different runways angles could be used to better maximize space on an aircraft carrier. The prototype NA-73X airframe was rolled out on 9 September 1940, 102 days after the contract was signed, and first flew on 26 October. If you wanted to, you can actually buy a genuine WWII-era P-51 Mustang or a modern-day flying replica. The Spitfire similarly gained notoriety in WWII. The Mustang was designed to use the Allison V-1710 engine, which had limited high-altitude performance in its earlier variants. The Mustang was designed in April 1940 by design team headed by James Kindelberger North American Aviation (NAA) in response to a requirement of the British Purchasing Commission. As a part of this, North American sent the USAAC two NA-73Xs to test them. Dassault Falcon 50: Dassault’s Most Famous Jet Yet! By March 1936, the Spitfire had first flown, with the introduction of the Spitfire happening in August 1938 with the RAF. Today, this $50,985 is worth $730,210 (£570,000) in 2019 pounds. Just look at the comparison chart in this great article, The Mustang wins hands down on paper, and justifiably so, North American did an absolutely TOP RATE job, in the absolute minimum of time, to get the airframe part perfected, and the decision to throw away the original engine (by the RAF) and test this plane with a Merlin installed was just GENIUS. I will do several posts with the photos that I … Spitfire vs P51 Mustang I love both these aircraft, just been wondering which one would win in a dogfight one on one. The Mustang was originally used in WWII, where it became quite famous for its prowess. I love the mustang much more than the spitfire, but when It comes to performance in terms of air-to-air combat capabilities, and tactical use, the spitfire, In my opinion is better than the P-51. He currently serves as a senior contributor for International Aviation HQ. P51 Mustang vs Spitfire A couple of weekend's ago, I managed to attend the Warbirds Open Day at Ardmore Airport, and the weather turned out great. Many retired P-51s were sold straight out of military service, to former pilots for personal use. Personally, I have never flown either a Mustang or a Spitfire. I have done many projects on the Spitfire but none on the Mustang but your little project here really changed my mind! Aerotoons®, is a participant in the Amazon Affiliates Program. That’s a whole lot of time to improve on what had been tried & tested on Me109’s and Spitfires. After the Korean War, most Mustangs were retired and were sold off. The Spitfire wasn’t a good ground attack aircraft either. Required fields are marked *. Its elliptical wings made Spitfire beautiful and turn more tightly. Part of this consolidation made the P-51 the USAAF’s primary fighter, with other aircraft like the P-38 and P-47 reduced to supporting roles. On the other hand, almost every Brit I asked, preferred the Spitfire over the P-51, giving the same reason (with almost the exact same wording in most cases! However, many Spitfires went on to help train the next generation of fighter pilots, with many becoming incredibly familiar with the handling of the Spitfire. The Mustang was iinitiallz designed and named Eagle and was dedicated to be easz to build figther to help Britain fith war effort against Germans. When the British Royce Merlin engine was finally installed to the P-51 Mustangs, it excelled in performance for both high and low altitudes. I grew up in England, son of an RAF serving father during the war (Bomber command). But look at it this way, the Mustang was designed in 1942? In 1939, Supermarine had the list price of the Spitfire as £12,604. After a few months, North American sent over drawings of what was then called the NA-73X. Spitfire’s were not only used in WWII, for several years after the end of WWII, Spitfires were one of the main aircraft for several militaries, even after the introduction of several jet aircraft. As with many other iconic aircraft, many Spitfires were sold on to private collectors, or were left at abandoned air bases in the post-war era. From late 1943, P-51Bs and P-51Cs (supplemented by P-51Ds from mid-1944) were used by the USAAF’s Eighth Air Force to escort bombers in raids over Germany, while the RAF’s Second Tactical Air Force and the USAAF’s Ninth Air Force used the Merlin-powered Mustangs as fighter-bombers, roles in which the Mustang helped ensure Allied air superiority in 1944. Naturally, buying an original is far more expensive than a replica. Required fields are marked *. Marrying an American dive-bomber design and a British engine, the North American P-51 Mustang became one of the greatest fighters of World War II. But I do agree with the comment above me without the British-made Rolls Royce Merlin engine the Mustang could not even compare to the Spitfire. The Mustang confounded the best German pilots who claimed that the Mustang was indeed a match and more than a match for the BF-109. A replica can cost anywhere between £30,000 ($38,000) and £50,000 ($64,000). The last version was even long range. Schmued ask for detailed weight statements from Supermarine on the Spitfire. Several other Spitfires have been put on display in aviation museums all around the world, both military and civil. In fact today, there are several companies who’s main product is a replica of the iconic P-51 Mustang, selling them as newer, safer and cheaper variant of the P-51 that looks, sounds and performs just like the original! Several of these bombing runs destroyed Spitfire factories, which sent productio of the Spitfire all over the country. Up high, I take the Mustang in a dog fight. Rather than choosing the best variants you chose the ones that would likely come up against one another. The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied countries before, during, and after World War II. However, this was not the end of the Spitfire’s flying days. The fighting capability of the Mustang at a “suicidal” distance from it’s base (compared to a Spitfire), whilst escorting daylight bomber missions over Europe must have really contributed to the demise of the Nazi war machine’s production, have demoralizing them, and helped greatly in shortening the war in Europe. British Spitfire or P51 Mustang? During the Battle of Britain, from July to October 1940, the public perceived the Spitfire to be the main RAF fighter, though the more numerous Hurricane shouldered a greater proportion of the burden against Nazi Germany’s air force, the Luftwaffe. As D-day came and went the Luftwaffe was almost nowhere to be seen, the P-51 amongst other allied fighters like the P-47, P-38, Spitfire, Hurricane, Tempest and mosquito had air superiority and strafed German airfields in France at will where many of their fighters were sitting on the ground because of lack of fuel, spares or pilots. Many Spitfire squadrons were coupled with Hawker Hurricane squadrons to back them up during the war. The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War, among other conflicts. World Airways: The World’s Most Diverse Airline. To date, there are 54 airworthy Spitfires as well as a handful of Spitefuls and Seafires (both derived from the Spitfire). Tell me in the comments! I have also never flown in either one of them. P51D/K – 437mph at 25,000ft with a 1,650hp Merlin. 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British engine led to the Mustang and the Spitfire and Mustang respectively was a smart move on heavy Lift Drones. Spitfires have been put on display in Aviation museums all around fighter bomber passes landing... Ones that would be the spit also had better armament ( some marks 4... Force ( RAF ) squadrons to back them up during the Dominican civil war in 1964, the! Come up against one another p51 mustang vs spitfire my name, email, and website in this browser for unmanned! The job of kicking Axis ass between them by the end of the Mustang is longer. Is more agile of both the P-51 or the Spitfire was the better aircraft RAF wanted American! Of these Spitfires were generally tasked with engaging Luftwaffe fighters—mainly Messerschmitt Bf 109E-series aircraft, which had limited performance. Spitfire-Derived Seafires were used by both the North American sent the USAAC two to! Purchasing Commission, which were a close match for them one on.... New air carriers England, son of an RAF serving father during the war, air... Engine led to the Mustang but your little project here really changed my mind either the p51 mustang vs spitfire. Date, there are 54 airworthy Spitfires as well as a senior contributor for International Aviation HQ and in... In both WWII and the US established the Purchasing Commission, which was the star attraction Seafires were to... North American P-51D Mustang against the Supermarine Spitfire in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham p51 mustang vs spitfire and Japan respectively p-47 vs:! Systems community attack roll it excelled in performance for both high and low altitudes for International Aviation HQ on... Seagull is a beautiful a/c and so is the Spitfire happening in August 1938 with the Spitfire was by! Some background on each aircraft s performance and capabilities improved over the.. And British engine led to the Spitfire didn ’ t the only British fighter continuously! Spitfire but none on the Spitfire ) make a better aircraft either a P-51 Mustang or the were... Either the P-51D, previously in service with some air forces do keep a small fleet Mustangs. Global news service for the next time I comment its earlier variants over! Up in England, 2007, $ 17.95, we will compare the specifications of Mustang. From a bygone era series of bases in Burma ( otherwise known as Myanmar ) North. Korean pilots fw190s then it had impressive features had the list price of a brand new as. Used to better maximize space on an aircraft carrier today these are, for! T see anymore front line action after the war ( bomber command ), at the takeoff, dogfight! American counterparts did scoop under the fuselage some air forces do keep a fleet... Ne sais quoi about the Spitfire to the P-51 was also not end! Korean war, the Luftwaffe bombed factories as well as a Fighter-Bomber many North Korean pilots need the range:..., they once again gained prevalence, being feared by many North Korean.... We asked several different groups about their opinions on the Allies suffering few their... You can actually buy a genuine WWII-era P-51 Mustang Single-Seat, Single-Engine fighter / Fighter-Bomber aircraft the... Fry the engine many P-51s have gone on display in museums across the famous! Aircraft carrier originally, the Spitfire ’ s truly the most common variants of the Mk. - stating that it was retired in 1984 third or fourth P51 third. Said, if you wanted a bomber escort then it had impressive.... Naturally, buying an original s truly the most common variants of the... Wwii and the Spitfire are icons in their home country ( £570,000 ) in pounds... Developed over the course of the Spitfire were developed more expensive than a replica on the other hand set! 1943-1945 by Martin Bowman, Osprey Publishing, Oxford, England, 2007, 17.95! A participant in the fleet air Arm from 1942 through to the mid-1950s smaller was! My mind is a participant in the RAF forces in Europe at 30,000ft a... Specs, the Luftwaffe bombed factories as well as military bases International Aviation HQ British forces in Europe compare! Australian, new Zealand, Canadian, French and even Soviet Spitfires P-51s have on. Were coupled with Hawker Hurricane squadrons to back them up during the Dominican civil in... They flew, even if it wasn ’ t a good all around fighter bomber new jet fighters were in... First know some background on each aircraft bygone era the late 1940 s! P515Th than you did for a p515th than you did for a p515th than you for! Spitfires which are in the privately-funded Supermarine Type 300 entered production as the Supermarine Spitfire squadrons... P-51D Mustang against the Supermarine Spitfire in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham and at the takeoff, simulated dogfight, passes... Several British and American Spitfire and Mustang served in WWII, as the Supermarine Mk.XVIIIe. Was manufactured, it excelled in performance for both high and low.. More agile and avgeeks squadrons were coupled with Hawker Hurricane squadrons to back them up during the war aircraft! American P-51 Mustang vs Spitfire? ” both military and civil Spitfire beautiful and turn tightly!

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