Fw 19O vs Mustang Mk 1A
The Fw 190 was compared with a fully operational Mustang Mk 1A for speed and allround performance up to 23,000 ft. There was little to choose between the aircraft in speed at all heights except between 10,000 and 15,000 ft, where the Mustang was appreciably faster. Approximate differences were as follows: At 2,000 ft [610 m] the Fw 190 is 2 mph (3 km/h) faster than the Mustang At 5,000 ft (1525 m) the Mustang is 5 mph (8 km/h) faster than the Fw 190 At 10,000 ft (3050 m) the Mustang is 15 mph (24 km/h) faster than the Fw 190 At 20,000 ft (6100 m) the Fw 190 is 5 mph Climb:
The climb of the Fw 190 is superior to that of the Mustang Mk 1A at all heights. The best climbing speed for the Mustang is approximately 10 mph (16 km/h) slower than that for the Fw 190; the angle is not nearly so steep and the rate of climb is considerably inferior. When both aircraft are pulled up into a climb after a fast dive, the inferiority in the initial stage of the climb is not so marked, but if the climb is continued the Fw 190 draws away rapidly.
Dive: Comparative dives have shown that there is little to choose between the two aircraft and, if anything, the Mustang is slightly faster in a prolonged dive.
Manoeuvrability:
The manoeuvrability of the Fw 190 is better than of the Mustang except in turning circles where the Mustang is superior. In the rolling plane at high speed the Mustang compares more favourably with the Fw 190 than does the Spitfire. The acceleration of the Fw 190 under all conditions of flight is slightly better than that of the Mustang and this becomes more marked when both aircraft are cruising at low speed. When the Fw 190 was attacked by the Mustang in a turn, the usual manoeuvre of flicking into a diving turn in the opposite direction was not so effective against the Mustang as against the Spitfire, particularly if the aircraft were flying at high speed. The fact that the engine of the Mustang does not cut during the application of negative 'g proved a great asset, and gave the Mustang a reasonable chance of following the Fw 190 and shooting it down.