JANE'S WW2 FIGHTERS AIRCRAFT
P-51D Mustang
Wing Span: 11.2 m
Length: 9.8 m
Max Speed: 390-437 mph at 20,000-30,000
Ceiling: 31,000-42,000
Weight: 5,280 kg
Armament: (usually) six .50 cals; 1,000-2,000 lbs of bombs
The Mustang was one of the fastest aircraft in the war. Like all U.S. fighters,
it was also very big! The U.S. philosophy on fighters was "big, rugged, and powerful".
This is certainly the case with the P-51. According to one pilot who commented
on it over 40 years after flying in the War, "it was perfect."
It was developed in 117 days for RAF use and was in the war by 1940. It fought
against the Luftwaffe's best, performed air to ground sorties, and later, provided air
support to Allied bombers.The P-51D is the most famous and numerous (with 9,603 planes built) version
of the Mustang. The P-51D had two more guns, more ammunition, a modified
supercharger for better low altitude performance, strengthened wing pylons
for 165 gallon drop tanks or 450 kg (1000 lb) bombs. The new 'bubble' canopy
offered a clearer view in every direction. At the end of World War 2 it eventually re-equipped all
but one Eighth Air Force Thunderbolt group and established itself as the principal Allied strategic fighter. It was called Mustang
IV by the RAF.
P- 47D Thunderbolt
Wing Span: 12.42m
Length: 10.99m
Height: 4.44m
Wing Area: 27.9m2
Empty Weight: 4812kg
Max.Weight: 7900kg
Max. Speed: 687km/h
Ceiling: 12800m
Max. Range: 2900km
Armament: 8*mg12.7mm 1135kg
The P-47D was the main production version of the P-47, with an impressive 12,602 planes built. The early P-47D differed little from the P-47C; they only had slight turbo supercharger modifications and more armor. The R-2800-63 engine, with a water injection offering a WEP (War Emergency Power) of 2,300 hp became standard from the P-47D-10 onward. On the P-47D-15 appeared under wing pylons for up to 1,700 kg (2,500 lb) of bombs. From the P-47D-20 onward, a new "universal" wing could carry a variety of drop tanks or bombs. These planes also introduced the R-2800-59 engine with an improved ignition system. The P-47D-30 was improved with a "bubble" canopy and cut-down rear fuselage. This version became also able to launch HVAR rockets. 830 P-47D were delivered to the RAF. In RAF service, the "razorback" P-47D was known as the Thunderbolt I and the "bubble canopy" P-47D was known as Thunderbolt II. 446 P-47Ds were delivered to the Free French forces, and about 200 to USSR.
P-38J Lightning
Wing Span: 15.85m
Length: 11.53m
Height: 3.91m
Wing Area: 30.5m2
Empty Weight: 6401kg
Max.Weight: 9806kg
Speed: 666km/h
Range: 3025km
Armament: 1*g20mm 4*mg12.7mm 2*b726kg
In 1937 the US Army emitted a very hard specify about a new high-performances fighter, with elevate speed, climb and range capabilities. The Lockheed decided that such characteristics could be reached only with a two-engine plane, and choose a particular conformation with a double tail and the cockpit in a wing-pod. The plane demonstrated excellent performances. Tested in 13 pre-series exemplars (YP-38), the "Lightning" entered in operative service in late 1941. Swift and manoeuvrable, the P-38 was utilized a lot for its great range capabilities and for the heavy weaponry system. In Europe it could successfully escort the US bombers into the heart of Germany. The P-38 was also utilized as a fighter-bomber, recon plane and night-interceptor ( with a nose-mounted radar ).
The P-38J had a redesigned cooling system that allowed to use the full 1425 HP from the Allison engines; this resulted in a new shape of the radiator housings below the engines. During the P-38J production, two very important changes would improve the controls of the plane: first, hydraulic boosters were fitted to increase the roll rate. Then "compressibility flaps" were added to allow the pilot to keep the plane under control in a high-speed dive, which was a major problem on earlier P-38s. 2970 were built.
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX
Wing Span: 9.93m
Length: 9.13 m
Max Speed: 355-448 mph at 19,000-26,000
Ceiling: 34,000-44,500 ft.
Weight: 3,400 kg
Armament: (varies greatly between models) two 20mm, two 12.7mm (mk.IX)
The introduction of the Focke Wulf FW 190 was a very bad surprise for the RAF, as it outclassed the Mk V. So Supermarine reacted quickly by mixing the successful Mk Vb air frame with the latest Rolls-Royce designs: 1,565 hp Merlin 61 for the F Mk IX, 1,475 hp Merlin 70 for the high-altitude HF Mk IX, and 1,580 hp Merlin 66 for the low-altitude LF Mk IX. The 'b' and 'c' wings were used on the Mk IX, but also the new 'e' universal wing, that could be fitted with either four 20 mm cannons, or 2x 20 mm cannons plus 2x 12.7 mm (.50 cal) guns. A broader rudder, and a bubble canopy were used on the late-production Mk IX.
Messerschmitt BF 109G-6
Wing Span: 9.92m
Length: 9.4m
Height: 2.5m
Max speed: 630 km/h,
Ceiling:11,500 m
Weight: 2700 kg empty, Operational: 3,400 kg
Armament: (varies greatly between models) two 13mm, one 30mm (G-6)
The Messerschmitt 109 was to the Germans what the P-51 Mustang was to the United States. It was a favorite of Luftwaffe pilots, even after the addition of newer aircraft. The Messerschmitt 109 is a relatively small aircraft, which makes it maneuverable. It is also fast but not very rugged. Even with only fair visibility, it is still a deadly competitor. With 30mm cannons capable of shredding fighters, pounding bombers, and flying at 600 km/h (about 400mph+), the newer Luftwaffe aircraft seemed to be a match for Allied aircraft.
The Bf 109G "Gustav" line was based on the more powerful Daimler-Benz DB 605 engines. However the plane was now much heavier, and its maneuverability suffered from the weight. During the Bf 109G production was introduced the "Galland" hood, a frameless canopy. A change of armament occurred on the pressurized Bf 109G-5 and unpressurized Bf 109G-6: the cowl-mounted guns were now 13 mm.The Bf 109G could not be flown in a landing circuit with flaps and undercarriage down other than at full throttle, and experienced German operational pilots have described its landing characteristics as "malicious".
Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8
Wing Span: 10.50m
Length: 8.40m
Height: 3.96m
Weights: empty 3175kg; max loaded 4900kg
Armament: two 13mm machineguns in nose and four 20mm cannon in wings
One 500kg bomb under fuselage
Bombs, rockets, torpedoes and other stores on some models
Max Speed: 657km/h at 6280m
Ceiling:11,400m , Normal range: 805km
When it appeared on September 1941 on the British Channel, the "Spitfire" pilots realized that this new german plane could easily surpass them in prestations. In fact the FW-190 was one of the best fighters that ever appeared in WW2, because of its small dimensions , heavy weapons and high velocity. The "A" version was utilized in a ground attack role ( for example , the "F" version was able to deliver a 1000 kg bomb, while the "G" ver. could easily carry a 1500 kg bomb, a payload quantity that many medium allied bombers couldn't carry!); the "F" version was employed in the role that the "Stuka" couldn't outfit because of it's slow speed and vulnerability.
From 1943 the FW190 was the most used fighter on russian front. In ground attacks the planes were provided with bombs and high-firing rate cannons; in addition it had at disposition such as 50 upgrades to outfit its "Jabo" role ( ex. "Panzerblitz" 88mm rockets -utilized with "Panzerfaust" launcher- , planing bomb BV 246 "Hagelkorn", SG 113A "Forstersonde" 77mm double cannon ). These powerful weapons were successfully utilized also on Allied bombers when the raids on the Germany became a quotidian reality. In the summer of 1944 , the "Mustang" and other allied planes arrived to perform better than the "A" model, so an improvement was designed. The adoption of on-line engines in place of radial engines on the "D" series greatly increased the performances when this model became operative at the end of 1944. The max speed touched 700 km/h ( 750 km/h in the last versions ) and the climbing rate was improved to 70%. The FW190D became the fastest piston-engine plane and with such an heavy armament (3 30mm cannons, 2 20mm cannons , 2 13mm MG ) it represented a formidable war machine. But it was already too late for the Third Reich and with the end of the war the brilliant career of FW190 was finished .The final and most numerous version of the FW 190A series was the FW 190A-8; over 1300 were built in 1944.
Messerschmitt Me 262A
Wing Span: 12.48 m
Length: 10.60 m
Height: 3.84 m
Wing Area: 21.70 m2
Empty Weight: 3800 kg
Max.Weight: 6400 kg
Speed: 870 km/h
Ceiling: 11450 m
Range: 1050 km
Armament: 4*g30 mm
The Me 262 was the world's first operational jet fighter. It was also the best of its generation, with an advanced aerodynamic design. Its development was much delayed, less by political disagreement than by engines troubles, and the Me 262 arrived too late to influence the end of WWII. The few Me 262 used in combat demonstrated their clear superiority, but were unable to achieve much more. Around 1430 built. The Schwalbe ("Swallow") is the fighter version of the Me 262. The first unit to use the Me 262, starting in June 1944, was the Erprobrungskommando 262 under the command of Hauptmann Werner Thierfelder, and manned with pilots from III./ZG26, because of their experience in two-engine planes. On September 26, 1944, III./ZG 26 became III./JG 6 under the command of Major Walter Nowotny, a brilliant young pilot already credited with 225 victories. The new Gruppe quickly became famous as the Kommando Nowotny. Another famous Me 262 jet squad was Jagdverband 44 (JV44), created by Generalleutnant Adolf Galland, and manned with experienced fighter aces and talented young pilots.
Other aircraft in Jane's WW2 Fighters
B-17,B-24,B-26,C 47,He 111,Ju 88,Arado Ar 234B Blitz,V-1
Jane's WW2 Fighters also has a number of differnet Tanks and Artillery as well as trucks and jeeps.
IN GAME AND ON LINE FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS BY TFS*DustB
Do NOT select the P-38 or the Me262. These are planes that require you to know a lot about their flying characteristics and fly in accordance with them with learned discipline. If you choose them now, most likely you will find their slow turning rates very frustrating and very deadly for you.
The P-51 and P-47 carry a lot of ammunition, a definite advantage for new fliers learning to time shooting with their guns. Neither turns with the Spitfire (nothing does) but both are good all-around planes. The P-47 climbs very well and takes lots of damage before going down. It also spews lots of machine gun bullets when you push the trigger. Wicked, and a bit of a brute. Unlike the other planes, therefore, no matter how new you are, the P-47 is sure to bring you a few kills. The P-51 does all things in the game better than average, but none to excellence. Without a disciplined pilot in it, it is a bit of a dud in this game, but still solid, reliable, and pretty good at teaching all aspects of flying.
The Spitfire is the best turner in the game, and has powerful cannons, but it does not take much battle damage before dying. It is also not very fast. Spitfire pilots usually stay close to the ground where their turning advantages are maximized. Novices often choose the Spitfire, because the tactics required to fly it are instinctive and unsophisticated. (Therefore it might be the best plane to start with.) Once new pilots learn more about aerial combat techniques, they choose other planes, also the Spitfire's special gunsight mechanism takes time to learn to use well. In general, the Spitfire is the plane of novices and aces.
The Fw190 carries incredibly wicked cannons. It does not turn too well, but it has the fastest roll rate--wings spin down to either side fast with sideways stick motion--and many pilots learn to use this to help them turn and maneuver well. The 190 only carries a medium-sized ammunition load, but once the cannon shells are spent, its tiny machine guns are only for harassing an enemy, seldom up to killing him. It is also pretty fast, but is a so-so climber.
Less popular than all of the above is the Bf109, but it can still be considered an almost decent choice for a new pilot. In the hands of an experienced pilot and excellent marksman who flies it exclusively to its strengths, the Bf109 is probably unbeatable. It has a small amount of ammunition, however, and is most often beaten in a turning battle, but it climbs better than any propeller plane in the game. It is therefore good at a tactic called "fighting in the vertical." It is also fast in horizontal straightaways, i.e., in running away. Which can be very good, for without distance and speed, it is likely that you won't turn around to attack your opponent before he turns to you. And then you will die. So be careful of this. (If you chose the 109, turn on the methanol fuel option as soon as you are in flight--with the 6 key--and after each revive. Methanol makes you faster. Do this. Don't forget.) Since the 109 does not carry a lot of ammunition you must know how to make all shots count.
