P-51 Mustang Vs. Fw 190-Which was Better?

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and other conflicts. The Mustang was designed in 1940 by North American Aviation (NAA) in response to a requirement of the British Purchasing Commission for license-built Curtiss P-40 fighters. The prototype NA-73X airframe was rolled out on 9 September 1940, 102 days after the contract was signed and first flew on 26 October.
The Mustang was originally designed to use the Allison V-1710 engine, which, in its earlier variants, had limited high-altitude performance. It was first flown operationally by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a tactical-reconnaissance aircraft and fighter-bomber (Mustang Mk I). The addition of the Rolls-Royce Merlin to the P-51B/C model transformed the Mustang's performance at altitudes above 15,000 ft, matching or bettering that of the Luftwaffe's fighters.[7][nb 1] The definitive version, the P-51D, was powered by the Packard V-1650-7, a license-built version of the Rolls-Royce Merlin 66 two-stage two-speed supercharged engine, and was armed with six .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2/AN Browning machine guns.From late 1943, P-51Bs (supplemented by P-51Ds from mid-1944) were used by the USAAF's Eighth Air Force to escort bombers in raids over Germany, while the RAF's 2 TAF and the USAAF's Ninth Air Force used the Merlin-powered Mustangs as fighter-bombers, roles in which the Mustang helped ensure Allied air superiority in 1944.The P-51 was also used by Allied air forces in the North African, Mediterranean and Italian theaters, and also served against the Japanese in the Pacific War. During World War II, Mustang pilots claimed 4,950 enemy aircraft shot down.At the start of the Korean War, the Mustang was the main fighter of the United Nations until jet fighters such as the F-86 took over this role; the Mustang then became a specialized fighter-bomber. Despite the advent of jet fighters, the Mustang remained in service with some air forces until the early 1980s. After World War II and the Korean War, many Mustangs were converted for civilian use, especially air racing, and increasingly, preserved and flown as historic warbird aircraft at airshows.

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger (English: Shrike) is a German single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft designed by Kurt Tank in the late 1930s and widely used during World War II. Along with its well-known counterpart, the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the Fw 190 became the backbone of the Luftwaffe's Jagdwaffe (Fighter Force). The twin-row BMW 801 radial engine that powered most operational versions enabled the Fw 190 to lift larger loads than the Bf 109, allowing its use as a day fighter, fighter-bomber, ground-attack aircraft and, to a lesser degree, night fighter.

The Fw 190A started flying operationally over France in August 1941, and quickly proved superior in all but turn radius to the Royal Air Force's main front-line fighter, the Spitfire Mk. V,especially at low and medium altitudes. The 190 maintained superiority over Allied fighters until the introduction of the improved Spitfire Mk. IX.[4] In November/December 1942, the Fw 190 made its air combat debut on the Eastern Front, finding much success in fighter wings and specialised ground attack units called Schlachtgeschwader (Battle Wings or Strike Wings) from October 1943 onwards. In the opinion of German pilots who flew both the Bf 109 and the Fw 190, the latter provided increased firepower and, at low to medium altitude, manoeuvrability.

The Fw 190A series' performance decreased at high altitudes (usually 6,000 m (20,000 ft) and above), which reduced its effectiveness as a high-altitude interceptor. From the Fw 190's inception, there had been ongoing efforts to address this with a turbosupercharged BMW 801 in the B model, the C model with the Daimler-Benz DB 603, and the D model with the Junkers Jumo 213. Problems with the turbos meant only the D model would see service, entering service in September 1944. While these "long nose" versions gave them parity with Allied opponents, it arrived far too late in the war to have any real effect.

The Fw 190 was well-liked by its pilots. Some of the Luftwaffe's most successful fighter aces claimed a great many of their kills while flying it, including Otto Kittel, Walter Nowotny and Erich Rudorffer.

[michaelcosyngroup]

Chuck Yeager said they were equally impressive, so that's good enough for me. I like both, but I prefer the FW-190.

[BelperFlyer]

I just like the look of the 190. It just lives up to its nickname of Butcherbird and looks really aggressive even before it leaves the ground.

[MrLunchHour]

At the end of the day, it comes down to the pilot flying it.

[andrewnicholson]

both great planes but i personally prefer the 190

[bernardthefourth]

P51 is a high altitude bomber escort fighter, 190 is an all around low altitude fighter bomber. Each would be better in its respective role.

[mdfgt]

Both beautiful machines, but my Love is for the 190 <3
Thanks for the video.

[jduff]

They're still both seriously sexy fighter planes, I'm a huge Mustang fan since I was a first-grader, but the 190 was a true badass.

[kabukiwookie]

They called em "Butcher Birds" for a reason. Still... Stunningly beautiful aircraft.

[Irowned]

Im austrian, so i of course take the Fw 190.

[gdtrv]

The title of this video implies a certain amount of analysis - which is disappointingly lacking. Poor effort.

[zabaleta]

By all accounts Kurt Tanks Ta's were awesome. Though I love all the great WWII fighters, the FW 190's and the Ta series are my favourite WWII the Butcher Bird!!

[ThePernik]

190 even though the thumbnail was awesome 👏 I’d like that 190 in my garage!!!

[thatoneguy]

I love the FW-190’s deadly looking design, but I also love the sleek and smooth design of the P-51... I think I’m voting the biplane. 2:53

[thecanadiantankcommander]

Well that depends of variants of both aircraft. The P-51A is with out a doubt inferior the the FW 190A series with the FW having most of the advantages. As for the Packard Roll Royce mustangs the P-51B, C, and D variants, these p-51s have the advantage in speed and performed best at mid to high altitude were the FW A series was 15-25 mph slower and performed best at mid to low altitude. Both have good climb rate and great drive rate, but the rolls royce p-51s were considered to be more agile the FW A series especially at high speeds and higher altitudes. The FW 190 F series were heavier fighter bomber versions of the A series and were easy prey for Mustang pilots. Where things get even is the introduction of the FW 190 D or Dora series. Depending on the Dora variant, the D series was either slightly slower to evenly to faster the the P-51 D series. The Fw 190 D was considered to be superior to the P-51 B&C models and a even match for the D models. It is considered the winner between the FW 190D and the P- 51D was based on the skill of the pilot flying the aircraft.

[MrSzmytki]

Ahhh this Fw's engine sound :))))

[ThorandSharon]

Thank you for posting this great video. Both the FW-190 and P-51 Mustang are great aircraft and just seeing them fly is worth the price of admission!

[fjfell]

About 20 years ago I had an interesting discussion with a former Luftwaffe mechanic. He pointed out that aircraft had to be customized to their intended roles and the appearance of the mustang left the luftwaffe with a dilemma. Quite simply the luftwaffe fighters were being been built to attack bombers which meant they have maximized firepower and armour which was traded off against slower speed and manouverability and fuel capacity, which was not a problem when attacking heavy, slow bombers. When the mustangs showed up these heavily laden anti-bomber fighters did not have the speed or manouverability to take on the mustang which was configured for the anti-fighter role. The german fighters could be re-configured for anti-mustang role but this left them with a much diminished shooting capability against bombers, which was their main job. I guess the Tank FW190D was built to the anti-fighter role and did not have to be loaded with fuel like the mustang. (Tank was the designer of the 190D).

The mustang was almost identical to the spitfire in dimensions and weight but had been built for low level operations where there was an abundance of lift and air resistance. These were overcome by using thinner wings and the thickest part of the wing was moved back a bit which resulted in much less air resistance but also less lift and manouverability. A mustang was inferior in dog fighting and climb to a spitfire. Another unique feature was that its radiator underneath was designed to create thrust through an adjustable exhaust vent. It was realised that these features gave the aircraft a significantly longer range and speed capability. Swap in a merlin and you have a fighter with exceptionally long legs. The main strategic advantage of the mustang was its numbers and its range.. there were so many of them, they overwhelmed the luftwaffe opposition on their home turf.

[blusky]

From a survival standpoint, the 190 would fair better because of it's radial engine vs the inline v12 liquid cooled Merlin in the 51. And the 190 was more heavily armed with 2 cannon besides 2-4 machine guns, depending upon the variant.

[waldothegreat]

Had the privilege and the honor to meet both Chuck Yeager and Gunther Raul. Most of you know Yeager. Raul was a WWll German ace with over 300 kills. After the war he went on to head of the new German Air Force. Both told me if the aircraft were similar in performance it was always the pilot that made the difference.

[mikedunn]

The 190 was armed with 20mm cannons, much more potent than 50s.