Speaking as an engineer, its a matter of horses for courses. To launch from a thirty foot hydraulic catapult rail, land in heavy seas, pick up a survivor and taxi back to dry land requires some very unique design solutions. The Walrus, like its mammalian namesake, is a very unique creation, ideally suited to its operating environment. As was the Spitfire. ;)

Son of Walrus
 

The Sea Otter was a much better looker than the Walrus, wonnit ?

I'm greedy:

Spitfire Mk Vb

and the

Mustang B/C with the Malcolm hood

are equally eye-pleasing.

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
 

Having read all the above thoughts mine are that the Spitfire, seen airborne, is marvellous and on the ground I prefer the Mustang. I am influenced by the recent Brietling adverts showing what I assume to be a Reno Air Race Mustang, totally chrome plated and well photographed to show it to best advantage.

A Spitfire with the Sun behind HER and an ME-109 in front.........

"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."

GPMG - I was perched in the cockpit of a P-51 asking some lucky sod current on both types that exact question. His response was simple - take off, display, land with no holding on the ground or crosswind the Spit wins. However, any display away from Homeplate and he'd always take the P-51. It doesn't overheat on the ground, has excellent VFR reserves of gas, can be trimmed to fly hands-off and is much nicer in a X-Wind. Almost sounds like the different design philosophy between an interceptor and an escort fighter doesn't it?

Thread drift, I know, but as well as looks, what about the sound? The gunport shreik of the P-51 puts my hairs on end...

I think it's a bit like a programme I saw years ago (the world about us ??) about the Confederate Air Force - one of the 'Colonels' was asked the same question - his answer 'They are all like beautiful women, they're all beautiful - just in different ways'

I like that answer................

Arc

If it's the pic I'm thinking of, it's "Precious Metal" a Mustang converted to run an ex-Shackleton Griffon complete with contra-rotating props.

Arclite01, I've just been given a poor quality DVD with what sounds like that programme on - I think it's called "Colonel Culpepper's Flying Circus" and was presented by Ian Wooldridge. Good programme.

If by lyrics beauty be measured;

Spitfire = the poem "High Flight"

Mustang = something by the "Beastie Boys"


But to be able to experience both........:)

It's interesting that the Spitfire, like most aircraft is generally regarded as having lost some if it's looks as the design developed. Yet the Mustang seems to have done the opposite.

Mustang V Spitfire
 

Heart says Spitfire. Head says Mustang. Given the opportunity to fly in either I`d chose the Mustang.

Fit for Purpose
 

on a purely subjective level,
to my eyes a spit (even late seafire variants) looks very much "of its time"

however, a late model mustang seems almost modern,
maybe a combination of the airscoop/teardrop canopy perhaps??

ohh, the F82 "twin mustang" is plain bonkers;)

Yep 'tis. Errr . . . which cockpit shall I fly from today :)

Damn- I left my map in the other cockpit... :ugh:

Couldn`t We create a hybrid of the two? Imagine that.

"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."

Only if they wanted to lose!

Range apart, the Spit IX (and subsequent Marks) had it all over the P-51D.

Manoeuvrability, armament (20-mm over 0.50 cal, please!), handling and battle damage tolerance.

The best US dogfighter of the War? The F6F Hellcat. How can I be so sure?

The SETP ran an interesting comparison between P-47, P-51, F4U and F6F, which were evaluated by modern TPs and the Mustang fared surprisingly poorly, with the unpredictable and vicious departure characteristics attracting negative comment, and the aircraft was rated as being a poor gunnery platform, too.

I'd kill for a photocopy of the article, or better yet a scan.....

"Couldn`t We create a hybrid of the two? Imagine that."

You don't need to imagine - the Spiteful was a Spit with a Mustang type laminar flow wing.

In terms of looks it's a no-brainer.
Think Ford Mustang (NA Mustang) v Aston Martin DB(any)(Supermarine Spitfire)

I'll take the Spit thanks!

In terms of everything else they are a gen apart but I would still take the Spit:ok:

Range apart?!

Kinda difficult to separate that little characteristic from the overall performance.