Comparison between early jet fighters
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Comparison between early jet fighters
I have not seen any comparisons in fighting qualities between early British jet fighters, Vampires and Meteors, and the early American ones, P-80 Shooting Star and the P-84 Thunderjet. I have excluded the Bell XP-59 Aitacomet which was a failure. I don't believe the P-84 was very good as an air-to-air combatant but I might be wrong. I suppose I should throw in the ME-262 too.
Four of these aircraft stayed in production for years in various forms and modifications speaking well of their original forms. In a beauty contest, I think the P-80 wins but the real question is: How do these five fighters stack up against each other?
Four of these aircraft stayed in production for years in various forms and modifications speaking well of their original forms. In a beauty contest, I think the P-80 wins but the real question is: How do these five fighters stack up against each other?
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 21st Mar 2022 at 03:23. Reason: Remove spoiler insert
For the early jet fighters you can only match their performance against the Me-262 and the MiG-15 as the US & UK ones never saw action against each other in 3 party air forces IIRC.
I knew (quite well) two RAF officers who had flown Meteors (Australian) and F-86's (US) against MiG-15's in Korea
They thought that an F-86 in the hands of an "average" pilot could beat any MiG-15 most days but that an "average" Meteor pilot would be in trouble against an "average" MiG 15 pilot most days
I knew (quite well) two RAF officers who had flown Meteors (Australian) and F-86's (US) against MiG-15's in Korea
They thought that an F-86 in the hands of an "average" pilot could beat any MiG-15 most days but that an "average" Meteor pilot would be in trouble against an "average" MiG 15 pilot most days
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It may have been in action against most of them, but not really comparable technology, which is the point of the question I think.
In fact the Me-262 is the only swept wing in the group .. amazing technology for 1942!
Severely underpowered compared to the Mig 15 with it's gift of the British engine though.
In fact the Me-262 is the only swept wing in the group .. amazing technology for 1942!
Severely underpowered compared to the Mig 15 with it's gift of the British engine though.
Chuck Yeager test flying the MiG-15.
I have not seen any comparisons in fighting qualities between early British jet fighters, Vampires and Meteors, and the early American ones, P-80 Shooting Star and the P-84 Thunderjet. I have excluded the Bell XP-59 Aitacomet which was a failure. I don't believe the P-84 was very good as an air-to-air combatant but I might be wrong. I suppose I should throw in the ME-262 too.
Four of these aircraft stayed in production for years in various forms and modifications speaking well of their original forms. In a beauty contest, I think the P-80 wins but the real question is: How do these five fighters stack up against each other?
Four of these aircraft stayed in production for years in various forms and modifications speaking well of their original forms. In a beauty contest, I think the P-80 wins but the real question is: How do these five fighters stack up against each other?
