Spit/109 sea level speed comparisons in 1.08 beta patch

[Glider]

Originally Posted by Robo.

Oh yes, 109 could indeed turn tighter than a Spitfire at speeds around and above 400 kph.

Are you aware of anything apart from a theory that agrees with this?

In reality this was not very relevant in pure horizontal turnfight for the reasons you named. It was great advantage at BnZ maneuvring, even turning with a Spitfire that is breaking away from your attack - you can turn long enough to score nice deflection shot on him.

No you cannot, if a higher speed is such an advantage in a turn then turning when bounced would be an almost suicidal tactic. Yet it was that ability to turn that saved so many pilots. It was the one advantage that Spit V pilots had over the Fw190 and was emphasised at every plot briefing.

But that is not anywhere close to sustained turn, you do a a 1/8 of a turn and away you break. If you stayed at that turn, you would burn your E and you would end up with a very angry Spitfire on your tail very soon.

That would sum up the best tactic for Luftwaffe Pilots fight in the vertical and only do minor, brief turns to get a better shot. Try to turn it into a turning fight and the 109 loses.