How did the P-47 fly faster than the P-51 given that it was so non-aerodynamic compared to the 51?
The P-47 Thunderbolt and the P-51 Mustang were both designed and built for different purposes, but they both achieved great success in combat. The P-47 was a heavy fighter-bomber that could carry a large payload of bombs and rockets, while the P-51 was a long-range escort fighter that could protect the bombers from enemy fighters. Both planes had their advantages and disadvantages.
The answer is not so simple but in general, the P-51 was faster than the P-47 at low and medium altitudes, while the P-47 was faster than the P-51 at high altitudes. The reason for this is mainly due to the different engines and turbochargers that each plane used. The P-51 used a Packard V-1650 Merlin engine, which was a liquid-cooled V12 engine that produced 1,720 horsepower. The P-47 used a Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine, which was an air-cooled radial engine that produced 2,500 horsepower. The Merlin engine had a better power-to-weight ratio and was more efficient than the Double Wasp engine, which gave the P-51 an edge at lower altitudes.
The Double Wasp engine had a huge turbocharger that boosted its performance at higher altitudes. A turbocharger is a device that compresses the air entering the engine, increasing its density and oxygen content. This allows the engine to burn more fuel and produce more power. The turbocharger of the P-47 was located behind the cockpit and connected to the engine by a long duct. The duct had an intercooler that cooled down the compressed air before it reached the engine.
The turbocharger of the P-47 was very effective at high altitudes, where the air pressure and temperature were lower. It could maintain a constant manifold pressure of 52 inches of mercury up to 30,000 feet, while the Merlin engine could only reach 42 inches of mercury at 25,000 feet. This gave the P-47 a significant advantage in speed and climb rate at high altitudes, where it could reach over 700 km/h.
The aerodynamics of each plane also played a role in their speed performance. The P-51 had a sleek and streamlined design that reduced drag and increased lift. It also had laminar flow wings that smoothed out the airflow over the wing surface, further reducing drag. The P-47 had a bulky and rugged design that increased drag and weight. It also had conventional wings that created more turbulence and drag. The aerodynamics of the P-51 gave it an edge in maneuverability and agility over the P-47.
So, to sum up, the P-51 was faster than the P-47 at low and medium altitudes because of its lighter weight, more efficient engine, and better aerodynamics. The P-47 was faster than the P-51 at high altitudes because of its powerful turbocharger and larger engine. Both planes were excellent fighters that served their roles well in World War II.