Spitfires Vs. Zekes

Interesting stuff…but was actually hoping for combat reports…and a few more replies from folks who knew more about all this! Apparently there aren’t many folks out there who know what the story is regarding the Zero v. Spitfire scene…I have heard the Zero won out, and I have heard the opposite. Based on the facts posted on this thread, it would lead one to believe that with the later mark (and progressively better) marks of Spits, they would have to gain superiority over the Zeke 52 (pretty much the ultimate Zero) and gain the upper hand later in the war. What about carrier-launched Seafires? Anyone know anything about how they fared vs. Japanese aircraft later in the war, flying alongside TBM’s, Hellcats, Fireflies, Corsairs, and other strike aircraft and hitting targets in Japan? They must have encountered (decreasing) aerial resistance.

Mark

Seafire IIc vs Zero

I’ve extracted this from Spitfire – A Complete Fighting History by Alfred Price. It’s not a Spitfire vs Zero trial, but the next best thing….!

In October 1944 Lietuenant **** Law was sent to the US NAval Air Station at Patuxent River, Maryland, for a most interesting assignment: to take part in a comparitive performance trial between the Seafire LIIc and a captured Zeke 52 – an improved version of the famous Zero fighter.

Results of Trials
The peak speeds of the two aircraft are:
Seafire LIIc – 338mph at 5,500ft
Zeke 52 – 335mph at 18,000ft
The comparitive speeds in miles per hour are:

Height Seafire LIIc Zeke 52
Sea Level 316 292
5,000ft 337 313
10,000ft 337 319
15,000ft 335 327
20,000ft 328 333
25,000ft 317 327
30,000ft 317

Climb – The Zeke 52 climbs at a very steep angle and gives the impression of a very high rate of climb. The Seafire LIIc, however, has a much better initial climb and remains slightly superior up to 25,000ft.
The climb of the Seafire is at a higher speed, but at a more shallow angle. The best indicated climbing speeds of the Zeke and Seafire are 120mph and 160 mph respectively.

Manoeuverability Turning plane – the Zeke 52 can turn inside the Seafire LIIc at all heights. The Zeke 52 turns tighter to the left than to the right.

Rolling plane – the rate of roll of the two aircraft is similar at speeds below 180mph IAS, but above that the aileron stick forces of the Zeke increase tremendously, and the Seafire becomes progressively superior.

Dive The Seafire is superior in the dive although initial acceleration is similar. The Zeke is a most unpleasant aircraft in the dive, due to heavy stick forces and excessive vibration.

Tactics – Never dogfight with the Zeke 52 – it is too manoeuvrable.
At low altitudes where the Seafire is at its best, it should make use of its superior rate of climb and speed to obtain a height advantage before attacking.
If jumped, the Seafire should evade by using superior rate of roll. The Zeke cannot follow high speed rolls and aileron turns.

Conclusions The Seafire LIIc is 24mph faster at sea level, this difference decreasing to parity between 15,000 and 20,000ft. The Zeke 52 is 10mph faster at 25,000ft.
The Seafire can out-climb the Zeke up to 25,000ft.
The Zeke is very manoeuvrable and can turn inside the Seafire at all altitudes.
The Zeke fights best between 115 and 180mph IAS.
The rate of roll of the Seafire is better than that of the Zeke above 180mph IAS.

Hope this helps!!

Daz

Dunno about the Hurricanes, but I’m pretty sure I have some Spitfire vs Zero stuff in the books at home. Will have a look if I remember.