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Lets also not forget that the Mustang is was the product of an RAF spec and was only successful when a Merlin was installed...and the USAFF had no time for it initially, only adopting it as a fighter ( the A-36 Apache ground attack version was already in service) when the P-38 proved unsuited to European ops and the P-47 was outclassed by the new German a/c."..
MCFAFF: I better not comment about those BRITISH planes seems my info is a little erroneous. I'm going to check where I read this stuff.
But Anyway- Ready to argue about American planes
Lets get this straight...Sir Henry Self (British Purchasing Envoy) came to the US to buy Curtiss P-40's from North American Aviation. Correct? He didnt go to Curtiss. You Guys likes the AT-6 Harvard. Dutch Kindleburger and Raymong Rice President and Chief Engineer of NAA basically told the Brits they could design tool and build a better fighter in the time constraints alotted which was 120 days Correct? Mr. Self purchased 300 or 600 somewhere sight unseen. The mustang was born as the NA-73X Correct? You guys did name it "Mustang" though. "An American Wild Horse as the man said"
I do agree the aircraft truly became a great high altitude fighter after you guys stuck a Merlin in it. NAA then redesigned the engine mounts and cowling to adapt the American built Packard Merlins V1650-3 to -6 Correct? It was built for the british as a request and not a Engineering specification..Can we Agree?
So- A-36 was actually a great airplane as long as it didnt try to fight above 20K need a better blower system (Allison V1710)... Right?
P-38 was used everywhere and wasnt called the Forktoothed Devil for nothing. Dick Bong got his 40 kills in Europe and the Pacific..Not bad?
I will argue forever when you say the P-47 was outclassed by the German A/C..How is that??? The latter model P-47M (480 MPH) was fast, rugged and carried 8 fifties, HVAR rockets and recoiless rifles. It was faster than anything in the ETO except an ME-262 which could be flown for a wopping 25 minutes. Me-163 comet was faster also but not effective and probably never went head to head with a Jug or a Spitz..I am I still correct?
Anyway- Was it the Wellington with the Bridge/ truss wooden airframe with merlins also? What was the actual name of that construction.
Anyway- Tell me about this Typhoon you guys are restoring. That was always a pretty cool bird that didnt get its post war rewards. One of the unsung heros.
Got any pictures?
Bob