Spitfire supposed to dive better than the 109?

[CaptainDoggles]

Originally Posted by Winger

I experienced this now twice. i Dove after a fleeing spitfire. At around 780 IAS my 109 was loosing parts resulting in total failure while the spit just kept on diving pretty unimpressed.

Winger

I've never seen data one way or the other but IIRC, the Spitfire has the highest critical Mach number of any of the WWII piston fighters.

By comparison the 109 is a rather 'dirty' airframe.

What you're describing sounds correct to me.

[SiThSpAwN]

This one seems easy to test

[Ze-Jamz]

Originally Posted by CaptainDoggles

I've never seen data one way or the other but IIRC, the Spitfire has the highest critical Mach number of any of the WWII piston fighters.

By comparison the 109 is a rather 'dirty' airframe.

What you're describing sounds correct to me.

Yep Ive read that numerous times from different sources..cant remember where though