Did he say why?......
One of the modern era Edwards AFB test pilots (and former F-4 Wild Weasel) was asked what was the most disappointing aircraft he ever flew, and the answer was the P-51.
......
Did he say why? I had read once a long time ago that the P-51 was the best fighter aircraft, relative to the time it was introduced, than any other at any time in history.
Saburo Sakai said the P-51 flew better than the Zero: An afternoon with Saburo SakaiI had read once a long time ago that the P-51 was the best fighter aircraft, relative to the time it was introduced, than any other at any time in history.
Available here WWII Aircraft PerformanceThat’s not to say certain planes weren’t exceptional for their time, but it’s worth looking at hard numbers.
Um I think if you look around you'll find ample documentation that at low altitude the P-47 was a dog. It shown at high altitude.The P-51 is a great flying plane with limitations. Those limitations are clearly spelled out in training videos and pilots manuals available today. Like any plane, understand and fly within those limitations and you will not be disappointed. Fly outside those limitations, without killing yourself, and you will be disappointed.
The P-51 was probably one of the worst allied fighters of WWII below 15,000 feet. The P-38, P-40, or P-47 are probably a far better choice. .....
Now back to our regularly scheduled nine year old ghost thread.
Brandon
Saville:My one ride in a P-51was in the Collins P-51C. So it was dual controlled.
My friend who owns Buzzin' Cuzzin says the P-51 is fairly easy to fly, as long as you stay inside of the normal operating envelope. Go outside that envelope, and she will bite you. You might live to talk about it, and you might not.The P-51 is a great flying plane with limitations. Those limitations are clearly spelled out in training videos and pilots manuals available today. Like any plane, understand and fly within those limitations and you will not be disappointed. Fly outside those limitations, without killing yourself, and you will be disappointed.
The P-51 was probably one of the worst allied fighters of WWII below 15,000 feet. The P-38, P-40, or P-47 are probably a far better choice. To make a scale replica, of any scale, with the same flying qualities is a bad idea. Build the plane to look like anything you want, but design it to fly in the environment your going to fly in.
Now back to our regularly scheduled nine year old ghost thread.
Brandon
Yes the P-47 is better up high. It's comparable to the P-51 down low. What makes it a better choice than the P-51 down low, but not the best, is it's durability and fire power. This is only based on first hand knowledge and talking with the guys that flew them during WWII so the info may not be that accurate.Um I think if you look around you'll find ample documentation that at low altitude the P-47 was a dog. It shown at high altitude.
Not wanting to start a WWII airplane performance flame war but everything I've read told me this is true.
Also there's a series of good videos where design and performance of WWII fighters are gone over in great technical depth: Greg's Airplanes (different Greg)
You can start with :
You have first hand knowledge of the P-47 vs. the P-51? Way cool, I'm jealous!Yes the P-47 is better up high. It's comparable to the P-51 down low. What makes it a better choice than the P-51 down low, but not the best, is it's durability and fire power. This is only based on first hand knowledge and talking with the guys that flew them during WWII so the info may not be that accurate.
The other thing I have been told is that the early Allison (A model) powered Mustangs would actually out perform the Merlin versions down low, say below 10,000 feet.Yes the P-47 is better up high. It's comparable to the P-51 down low. What makes it a better choice than the P-51 down low, but not the best, is it's durability and fire power. This is only based on first hand knowledge and talking with the guys that flew them during WWII so the info may not be that accurate.
Brandon
Yup, that restores the “g” that I misplaced.I think several of you are referring to the Collings Foundation. The FAA pulled their certificate for allowing anyone to ride in their planes.