Spitfire V Mustang
 

Simple one this. In terms of looks - what do we think? Spit or Mustang?

In terms of prettiness and general gorgeousness - The spitfire
In terms of looking completely badass - The mustang.

If I had to choose a favourite I'd go for the Spitfire, although it is very close. Mustangs are prettier in person than on photo's.

The Mustang was simpler and cheaper to build and repair. Fewer compound curves and expensive alloy forgings. It could also fly further/stay in the air longer.

I’ve now just annoyed myself!

A generation apart
 

You have to see these aircraft as a developement generation apart, the Spitfire is a thirtys aircraft with no attention paid to ergonomics or crew comfort (drop your map and it is the last you will see of it for the rest of the flight!)

The Mustang is an aircraft that takes the develpment a stage further, sit in it and you will see an aircraft that feels "modern" (drop the map and just pick it up off the floor!) all the controls are much better placed and on the whole it is a much better working enviroment.

The Spitfire is a much better point defence fighter with a lower wing loading, better rate of climb & it will turn tighter. It wont go very far!

The Mustang will fly much further and take the fight to the enemy but it is not best equiped for point defence due to the ROC.

The Spitfire is probably less hard to fly, I have been told that a few hours flying the Chipmunk from the rear seat will teach you to fly the Spitfire, the Mustang is altogeter a little "hotter" to fly.

Both are true classic aircraft and I dont have the words to describe my trip in the back of a Mustang apart from remembering the mind blowing power.

Interestingly one of the American unlimited air racers who was using a much modified Mustang, got him self a Sea Fury and found that all the "tweeks" he had done to make the Mustang faster were installed on the Sea Fury as standard! But then the Sea Fury was a further generation of piston engine fighter development.

The OP specifies in terms of LOOKS.

Well I suppose by the end of the war it has to be the Mustang, but remember the Mustang wasn't really any good at altitude until Rolls Royce got their hands on it.

Also remember that during war the inventiveness of scientists and technicians expands hugely. Nothing like the possibility of catastrophic defeat to concentrate the mind.

World War Two started with pistion engines and quite a few bi-planes and ended up with ballistic missiles and jets.

So comparing the Mustang and Spitfire (even the later Marks of the Spit) you're ignoring the fact that the Spit was around earlier and was good enough to help win the BoB. Had it not done that then for Blighty at least, the appearance of the Mustang wouldn't have mattered that much. (And, as mentioned, it was the Brits that made the Mustang what it was.)

All the above subject to ropey memory.

Edited to add - Bugger. The question was about looks!!! :eek:

So - Easily the Spit. :ok:

Stand-by for pipe ....... do y'hear there ........ I say again ........ In terms of LOOKS ........

Bloody engineers .................;)

Wasn't RJ Mitchell an engineer??? (Who apparently believed 'what looks well, flies well'?)

Ok the Spitfire looks better to the casual observer but without understanding what the builder was trying to achive you only get half the picture.

The Spitfire - with all those curves it has to be. Later Griffon powered Spits were less attractive, for me, the optimum beautiful shapes were Mk9 - Mk14 (teardrop canopy as well). Mk22 onwards were ugly in comparison.

Mustang - looks great but angular, but only the later ones (D onwards) with teardrop canopies rather than the P40-type cockpits

Both superb aircraft but obviously not the same role, so it would be comparing apples with oranges if we got into comparisons.

I never liked the Spitfire, more of an MG man when I was younger. It was just a spin off from the triumph Herald I believe, a vehicle that was lucky to drive out of the factory without breaking down. Never drove an early Mustang but if they were anything like the one I hired in the US a couple years ago, you are welcome to them.

Is that it?

So how do you explain the Supermarine Walrus, then? :suspect:

It's a difficult decision but I'd plump for the Spitfire - favourite are definitely the MK14/Mk18 low back variants with the wings unclipped.

But all Spitfires look good and so do the Mustangs.

Dear Santa, I've been a good boy this year and while I don't wish to appear greedy...

Have both! Opt for the Spiteful/Seafang or the MB-5.....All seem to have Spitfire and P51 DNA mixed up!

As for the original aircraft - P51D just looks like a war machine, but a LF XIV Spitfire runs it mighty close....

Dropped Map
 

A and C

A dropped map can usually be retrieved by a gentle bunt for a second or so. Minus half a 'g' will bring the errant map to eye level.

:E

As the initiator of the very early and quite blatant Thread drift; sorreeeeey!

That will teach me to answer the TF between pressing “reply” and actually writing the Post!

Sorry, you're right. I don't think anyone can explain the Supermarine Walrus. :eek:

The very fact that you asked means you'll never understand

The Spitfire is a lady. The Mustang is a bloke. I'm hetero so the Spit has it every time!

The Spitfire is beautiful, the Mustang is awesome.

I'd bet that most pilots would prefer to fly a Spitfire for a display, but if going to war they would pick the Mustang.