Posted on 11/30/2023 3:21:06 PM PST by Macho MAGA Man
I mean, yeah, the F-117 is not exactly maneuverable.
But if we applied them in their intended roles: the F-117 has a 4000 ft ceiling advantage and a 211 kt speed advantage(!), and was intended to fly at night... I wonder if a P-51 would be able to intercept in practice. I’m guessing not- the F-117 would see it coming via its sensor suite from a long ways off, and that speed advantage is killer with forewarning...
I suppose a P-51 operator could try and get the F-117 during take off / landing ascent / descent phases, but a modern SAM battery or fighter escort with modern radar guided missiles would be guaranteed death to the mustang. Come to think of it, a heat seeker would be pretty nasty to a P-51 too with that intercooler on the bottom.
Makes for some interesting thought experiments.
An unrealistic one.
I’ll also speculate that the P-51 has a lower stall speed than the F-117.
“I heard the North Vietnamese had biplanes during our conflict with them. Supposedly, they were difficult to shoot down because of the low altitude, low heat signature, and maneuverability. No idea if any of this is true.”
It’s not. Conventional ground fire (i.e., individual arms) could take down a biplane unless it was at altitude, in which case it would have been easy pickings for any US aircraft. Just think what Puff could have done to one.
Agreed. However if inside that window, any WWII fighter would have a better turning radius that a modern jet. That would be about the only advantage. That, and a jet pilot dumb enough to sacrifice all of their advantages to engage on the P-51's terms.
BTW I have an I love me room, ask my wife.
Agreed. However if inside that window, any WWII fighter would have a better turning radius that a modern jet. That would be about the only advantage. That, and a jet pilot dumb enough to sacrifice all of their advantages to engage on the P-51's terms.
BTW I have an I love me room, ask my wife.
P-51 95.4 MPH Stall Speed.
Haven’t found it for T-117.
“ Well … some pilots could probably fill up an entire room with “I love me” stuff. I figured you’d never allow it. /s”
Ours actually is a room.
You would think so perhaps but everyone in my house is actually as opinionated as I am… single seater fighter pilots especially - and on many things we disagree and are quiet about it. Big reason I come here.
A work horse instead of a show horse?
I got to go dogfighting in a T-6 Trainer against another T-6.
Pulled 3-4 G’s coming out of dives. Went vertical until the plane stalled, fell over on it’s back and went full throttle vertical down diving on the other plane. It was intense.
And fun.
i want to know how the merge happens...
can’t get bounced from above as it’s faster
I also bet the Nighthawk would be way above the ceiling for the Mustang.
For one thing, a Mustang is a fighter. The F-117 is a pure bomber with no defenses.
I know this.
The “F” in F-117 was even part of the massive deception plan. It was supposed to send them looking for things associated with “fighter”, rather than “bomber”. Ben Rich detailed this in his book “Skunk Works”.
A big ol’ magnet ?
“I heard the North Vietnamese had biplanes during our conflict”
I read recently of US jets shooting down two huge Russian-supplied Antunov AN-2 biplanes during a brief chase. The Antunov is to biplanes what the P-47 (”Jug”) was to the rest of propeller-driven fighters.
Correct, it has no way to defend other than not be found.
If found, even a P-51 with .50 BMG rounds could turn it to confetti.
My home office faces our town’s airport and they have a P51 that is hangared there. It mostly goes to shows around the country for air shows. When it’s back home, take off and landings are impressive. It goes and you can really hear it coming and going.
I used to rent T-34B’s from the Monterey Navy Flying Club and meet some Cobra guys over Santa Cruz pier for fun and games in the late ‘80’s. Guns, guns,guns...
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