While powered by essentially the same engine, comparing the Spitfire and the Mustang is, to me, an apples-and-oranges comparison. The Spitfire always was, basically, a point defense interceptor and, like most fighters of the thirties, short-legged. The Mustang seemed to lend itself more to adaptation as a long-range fighter, after the Merlin engine became the standard.
Both of these aircraft excelled at what they were designed for.

By josephvolpendesta on Jul 15, 2009 at 8:56 pm

All my reading leads me to believe that the best all-around fighter aircraft of WW II was likely the P-47. While the Spitfire and P-51 both look beautiful in their own way and had their strengths, I’m guessing the P-47’s 8 .50 caliber machine guns, rugged build and Wasp engine made it superb at both dog fighting and ground support. I’d pick the F4U Corsair next, as it too had stellar success in the air-to-air and ground support roles.

The ME-262 might even be better than the P-47 and F4U, but questions of reliability leave it off my list for now.

By Cliff on Sep 25, 2009 at 1:23 am

I am biased because my Dad worked on P-51 Mustangs at Wright Field, Ohio during World War 2; therefore I must say that
the P-51 Mustang is in my openion (sp.) the best fighter in the war.
Having seen both up close I would say that the P-51 is a sleeker,
more deadly looking fighter plane. I know that looks don’t have
anything to do with it but the Mustang is just the better looking
plane period. Beside that it had a much better war record.

Arthur M. Hodge, Jr.

By Arthur Hodge, Jr. on Oct 1, 2009 at 9:40 pm

Shortly after the end of WW II the U S military tested many different fighter aircraft, flying captured fighters against Army and Navy fighters. The fighter that performed best was the F4U Corsair. There were faster fighters (P-51) and more robust fighters (P-47). The F4U was not rated as the top fighter in any single catetory. What made the F4U the outstanding fighter was the fact it was highly rated in many different categories. The US military flew F4Usand P-51s well into the 1950s. When I went through the Navy Aviation orientation course at Norman, OK, in 1958, we were trained how to start and run up an F4U.

By Dutch Al on Nov 7, 2009 at 1:27 am

In my opinion the Spitfire is the best fighter of WWII. I understand that the Mustang had a longer range, but it still had to use drop-tanks. The spitfire also had drop-tanks, but these were only used on PR-versions. And the Spit didn’t even have to fly to germany, because the germans went to england! Also the only reason to send fighters to germany, was as bomberescort, and the british frankly didn’t have very good bombers. But even I must say that they’re two different fighters based on different purposes. It’s very hard to compare them.

By Åsmund D. Sæbø on Nov 15, 2009 at 2:40 pm