AH-64 vs P-51

On Sat, 6 Dec 2003 06:26:45 -0500, "Paul F Austin"
wrote:


"Charles Talleyrand" wrote
Should some day some how a P-51 come to fight an AH-64, who would
win the fight?

Assume the combat starts with both sides seeing the other at beyond
gun range. Assume equal pilot skill. Assume the only missiles on the
AH-64 are some TOWs.

The AH is probably toast but it's certainly no easy engagement. A propeller
driven gun fighter is effective for engaging attack helos flying in NOE but
they are tough targets. Because the AH will be operating at very low
altitude, the fighter is pretty much limited to staying within the plane of
the helo. High side runs have the real possiblity of an Airframe-Ground
Intersection.

The reason the P-51 probably wins is because the AH doesn't make a very
precise gun platform. I understand that there's considerable flexing between
the helmet sight and the chain gun, making alignment difficult. I hope
someone who actually knows will contribute.


Guns only I don't pretend to know but based on the cockpit video I've
seen of them trying to shoot a guy on the ground with it. . .well it's
definitely not a sniper rifle :-) But I sure as hell wouldn't want to
be the guy on the ground doing the chaingun cha-cha.