What did the Germans think of the Spitfire?
During WWII Axis pilots tested captured Allied aircraft: they deemed the Spitfire a miserable fighter, the LaGG–3 poorly maneuverable and the P-51 disconcerting. In general, they respected the US bird. One of the famous German pilots even told that he realized that his country was doomed to lose once he saw that US plane over Berlin. Of course, adequate pilots with decent combat experience couldn’t underestimate a dangerous rival and the P-51 was a very dangerous opponent.
What 2000 hp engine did the Spitfire have?
The original airframe was designed to be powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine producing 1,030 hp (768 kW). It was strong enough and adaptable enough to use increasingly powerful Merlins, and in later marks, Rolls-Royce Griffon engines producing up to 2,340 hp (1,745 kW). The first Merlin engine developed 880hp but by the time the last mark of Merlin was produced the power output was 2030hp. The Merlin engine was then enlarged still further and named the Griffon; it was used in Shackleton aircraft.
How many horsepower is a 747 jet engine?
The Boeing 747 has four engines, each of which can produce up to 59,934 horsepower. This means that the total horsepower of a Boeing 747 is 239,736 horsepower. The engines on a Boeing 747 are the most powerful engines ever used on a commercial aircraft. The most powerful engines fitted to a civil aircraft today are the 777-300ERs GE90-115Bs, which only produce 115,000lbs thrust. Still 65,000lbs short of what is required. Therefore, there is currently no engine available that can provide the thrust required to make the 747 a twin engine aircraft.
Was the P51 or Spitfire better?
The Spitfire is often considered the more maneuverable of the two, able to twist and turn with incredible grace, but it lacked the long range needed for deep escort missions. The P-51, with its sleek lines and low drag, could fly farther and faster, making it ideal for long-range bomber escort. The P‑51’s smaller size and lighter, more aerodynamic airframe gave it better roll and turn rates than the P‑47, making it more agile in a dogfight. Its climb performance was also superior. For interception and high‑altitude combat, the Mustang clearly had the edge.The P-51 had a longer range, higher speed, better maneuverability, and lower maintenance costs than the P-38. The P-51 also had a more reliable engine and a simpler design, which made it easier to produce and operate.