Great documentary about the Battle of Britain

[Triggaaar]

Originally Posted by seiseki

But the facts were, it could out dive out run and out gun the spitfire..

That's not correct. It could out gun the spitfire, but that's not so relevant in a 1 v 1, where only one plane gets to use it's guns. The 109 could out-dive the Spit in the first few seconds, but data suggests the Spit was faster in 1940, could out-turn the 109, and could out-climb it too.

A massive aerial battle like the Battle of Britain is too complicated for easy comparisons to be made. Both sides had advantages/disadvantages. The 109s were supposed to be protecting the bombers, but the British planes were starting on the deck and having to climb to meet the Germans. And each fight would have unequal numbers. The veterans also have different personalities, skill levels, egos/modesty, experiences, which all make it difficult to make accurate judgements.

[David Hayward]

From what I have read the 109 could turn inside a Spit in the hands of an elite pilot. However, with an average pilot at the controls the Spit would usually turn inside the 109.

[maxwellbest]

Have to agree with TV presenter re the 109. You can argue all you like about the relative merits of the flying characteristics of the Spit and the 109. Firepower. And the 109 won out on that score. Pure and simple. Cant recall the name of a book I read re BOB years ago, where that was discussed in depth. Also compared the .303 vs 50 cals. With Fighter Command armed with 50 cals, it would have been a less close run thing. But that's counter factual of course, very much a what if. Hmmm, come to think of it, why was'nt Fighter command armed with 50 cals? Someone else can chime in here.