In contrast, the US not only generated an extraordinary flow of weapons and equipment, but we also produced numerous new types of aircraft that proved effective in combat -- often only after the initial design was revised. The P-51, for example, despite its impressive clean lines, was a mediocre aircraft with its original American Allison engine. The British Rolls-Royce Merlin engine was then substituted, produced by car makers in the US under license. A larger belly air scoop and a bubble canopy were also added, and the result was an aircraft with superior performance at altitude.
Even after the new model P-51 arrived in theater, it took Eighth Air Force head Jimmy Doolittle to unlock its potential. He jettisoned the doctrine of close bomber escort and instead ordered his newly equipped fighter squadrons to chase the Luftwaffe and engage and destroy it wherever they could. Within months, the Luftwaffe's fighter arm in the West was in tatters.
One does not find similar narratives on the German side. Instead, through lush bribes to Goering, Messerschmidt was able to hog much of the Luftwaffe's fighter production capacity, with special favor to his cherished but obsolete Me-109. Meanwhile, production of the superior FW-190 was shorted and innovative designs like Dornier's Arrow never got beyond prototype.
Moreover, German tactics in WW II tended to be limited in their development because the combination of Prussian discipline and Nazi indoctrination usually weeded out innovators from the German military. Few dare to contradict military doctrine when it has the personal authority of a dictator behind it. Our messy, free-wheeling American ways and practical, get it done attitude have a lot going for them.
Yes, ... Let’s try Ta-152 then (one of Prof. Tank’s last).