What is the oldest Spitfire still flying?
Spitfire IIa 1408 – P7350 ‘EB-G’, Spitfire IIa, 41(F) Squadron, RAF BBMF. P7350 is the oldest original airworthy Spitfire in the world, and the only Spitfire which fought in the Battle of Britain still flying. Jack Hemings AFC, a 102-year-old former RAF Squadron Leader, has become the oldest man to fly a Spitfire plane.
Was the P-51 better than the Spitfire?
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. What did American pilots think of the British Spitfire when they encountered it for the first time in WWII? They loved it. Light, lavish, agile, it could hold its own with the Bf 109, it was a 1300 hp dream after the 600 hp T-6 trainer. They initially had a hard time giving it up for the huge American P-38s and P-47s.The Bf 109 delivered powerful climb and heavy armament, and its ability to climb and dive quickly made it ideal for fast attacks and quick withdrawal. The Spitfire prioritised turn rate and handling stability, and it offered endurance in combat that proved better suited to Britain’s defensive strategy in 1940.Among them, the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 is frequently highlighted for its performance particularly during the war’s early years. Other aircraft, such as the Supermarine Spitfire, Grumman F6F Hellcat, Messerschmitt, Bf 109,etc.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.
Is the FW 190 better than the Spitfire MK V?
The new fighter outperformed the Spitfire Mk. V, the then top-of-the-line RAF fighter, in all aspects except turning radius. The Fw 190 was considerably better in firepower, rate of roll, and straight-line speed at low altitude. The Spitfire’s Perception For the Germans, it seems, it was more acceptable to have been shot down by the RAF’s Spitfire, rather than any other aircraft. Later, in 1944, the same thinking applied for the Allies in Normandy.