This is an "apples & oranges" comparison. The Brits have always designed superb interceptors: defending a small island nation, the Hurricane & Spitfire did the same job as the English Electric Lightning years later. But when trying to sell these designs overseas, their range limitations were a severe handicap. For a long-range, potentially offensive fighter, the Americans had the right idea: forget super-fast scrambles - just concentrate on good all-round performance and staying power. That's what you got with the P-47 & P-51. The Spitfire & Mustang were used in totally different roles.

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