Originally Posted by tomcat

I would have to agree with this you cant compare a spitfire and a mustang in an overall performance role because it would depend on what role you were doing. Although the spitfire was versitile in its own right and could be changed dependin on its role such as a fighter bomber for D-day or a PRU spitfire for recon over enemy territory.

You wouldn't use a P51 for defensive roles but as a mainstay in a long rangee close bomber support role, aka offensive roles.

So in my opinion it depends on the Role.