P-51 Mustang vs Fw 190

Introduction

The legendary P-51 Mustang, the finest American fighter of World War II, versus the Fw 190A, one of Germany's greatest piston-engined interceptors, provided some of the most deadly combat confrontations of the war in Europe. Combining the endless power of the Packard Merlin with a beautifully designed airframe, the Mustang epitomized the might of the Eighth Air Force's VIII Fighter Command in the final 18 months of the conflict. More than 80 pilots became aces flying the classic North American fighter, a fact that bears testimony to its overall superiority in combat.

Not only was the Mustang capable of meeting the Bf 109G/K and Fw 190A on even or better terms, it could escort the four-engined bombers of VIII Bomber Command on deep penetration missions to their targets and back again. Also, the Mustang's long range gave it an extra dimension by permitting fighter groups to break away and strafe enemy airfields and other targets before returning home.

The rapid improvement and success of the Mustang is even more remarkable when one considers that the Fw 190A was the result of design work begun in late 1937, and as such it had a three-year development advantage over the North American design. Furthermore, when the first Allison-engined P-51s appeared, the Mustang still had a lot of catching up to do in order to realize its potential as a multi-gunned fighter.

In 1940, when the British were shopping for a new fighter, the Mustang's original Allison powerplant was not designed to perform at high altitudes, and so the RAF operated the aircraft in great numbers in the ground attack and tactical reconnaissance roles. The Fw 190A, however, had become the scourge of Allied pilots from the moment it had appeared at German airfields in Belgium in August 1941. A nimble, fast and well-armed adversary, it was technically superior to all British and American fighters in frontline service at that time. This situation only changed with the advent of the Merlin-engined P-51B in late 1943.

In the autumn of 1942, plans had been laid to develop the Mustang as a long-range fighter, fitted with the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. After overcoming early teething troubles, the worst of which was persistent gun jamming, the P-51B clearly demonstrated its tremendous potential. By early 1944 the aircraft had surpassed the Fw 190A in terms of performance, the latter aircraft's top speed being almost 50mph slower at all heights and 70 mph slower above 28,000ft. There was little to choose between the two when it came to maximum rate of climb, while the Mustang could always out-dive the Fw 190A. Again, in the turning circle both were closely matched, and if anything the Mustang was slightly better. However, not even a Mustang could approach the Fw 190A's outstanding rate of roll. Revisions in design and armament followed, and the P-51D/K became the best of the wartime Mustang breed.

Capable of outperforming German propeller-driven fighters, and able to operate far over the continent with the aid of drop tanks, the P-51D/K was the most successful of all the models to see service in World War II. It was also built in greater quantities than any other variant. In the right hands, the Mustang was superior to the Fw 190A, despite Focke-Wulf trying to keep pace with the Allied fighter through the production of a profusion of newer models that boasted technological innovations such as water/methanol fuel injection to boost engine power for short periods. Ultimately, these improvements were too little, too late.