Page:Informational Intelligence Summary No. 85.pdf/7

 The Navy reports the following indicated stalling speeds. 7. :

The Zero fighter was flown against the P-51, P-38F, P-39D-1, and a P-40F.

Each of the above service type aircraft was flown with the "Zero" and comparable climbs, maneuverability, defensive and offensive tactics were determined from sea level to twenty-five thousand (25,000) feet. The test was conducted in five thousand (5,000) feet steps.

Take-offs were started together and each climb was started from each ship's best climbing speed. Every effort was made to eliminate the possibility of zooming when the climb was started.

Notes of the actual trials are set forth below.

8. :

Ships took off in formation on a pre-arranged signal. The Zero left the ground first and was about three hundred (300) feet in the air before the P-38 left the ground. The Zero reached five thousand (5,000) feet about five (5) seconds ahead of the P-38F. From an indicated speed of two hundred (200) miles per hour the P-38F accelerated away from the Zero in straight and level flight quite rapidly. The Zero was superior to the P-38F in maneuverability at speeds below three hundred (300) miles per hour. The P-38F could not dive and out turn the Zero at this altitude at speeds above three hundred (300) miler per hour.

The planes returned to formation and both ships reduced to their best respective climbing speeds. Upon signal the climb was started to ten thousand (10,000) feet. Again the Zero was slightly superior in straight climbs reaching ten thousand (10,000) feet about four (4) seconds ahead of the P-38F. Comparable accelerations and turns were tried with the same results.

From ten thousand (10,000) to fifteen thousand (15,000) feet the two airplanes were about equal. The Zero was slightly ahead, but no enough to be considered advantageous. Again comparable accelerations, speeds and maneuverability were tried with the same results.