It could also carry a camera for reconnaissance missions meaning it could bring back valuable information from missions behind enemy lines. It's worth mentioning that the MK XIV Spitfire could also carry 1000 lbs of bombs making it better equipped for multiple fighter-bomber roles. ![]() It's clear that both aircraft had fearsome loadouts. Again, let's compare the P51D and Spitfire MK XIV. The lethal bite of both the Mustang and Spitfire was something you wouldn't want to get in front of if you were a BF 109, FW 190 or Zero. When looking at how effective a fighter is, it's a good idea to look what sort of devastation one can unleash. Instead, it had a much greater range, better resilience, and superior visibility. For this role, the American aircraft didn't really need the Spitfire's versatile performance. In it's main role, the Mustang proved itself as a superb escort fighter in Allied bombing raids over Germany. However, the P51D was generally more specialized than the Spitfire. For interception, this was clearly quite important. The maximum speed of a P51D was 437mph whilst the Spitfire was slightly faster at 448mph. The all-important climb rate for a P51D sat at 3200ft per minute whilst the Spitfire could climb at an impressive 3650ft per minute. In most cases, the Spitfire had better performance as an all-purpose fighter. The P51D and Spitfire MK.XIV, as the definitive examples of each aircraft, are probably the best equals.Ī Rolls-Royce Griffon, the engine that powered the MKXIV Spitfire to a top speed of 437mph. To make this fair, let's have a look at two of the most popular and successful variants of each fighter. Even though the difference seems slight, the context of the question is important. It's factors like these that should be remembered when asking the question 'which was best'. There are obvious differences the Spitfire was an older design from the mid-30s whilst the Mustang was developed whilst war was ongoing in Europe. AircraftĪs we can see from the comparison table above, it's not exactly a fair fight. Later on, we can dive more deeply into the specifics. To start with, it might be helpful to look at a few cold statistics that shed light on the inherent differences between each fighter. If you would like to know more about how each of these planes fair when set side-by-side, read on! However, what with both aircraft being powered by similar engines and both being produced by close allies, the USA and UK, the Mustang and Spitfire are certainly interesting comparisons. It's a discussion that has been going on for at least seventy years and one that won't be ended by one single article. ![]() ![]() The P-51 Mustang and Supermarine Spitfire were both brilliant Allied fighters during WW2, but which one was the best?
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