P-51 Mustang vs Messerschmitt Me 262
Top speed, range, size and history side by side. Each was built for its own job, so this shows how they differ, not which is better.
The Messerschmitt Me 262 is faster: 900 km/h against 703 km/h for the P-51 Mustang. The P-51 Mustang flies further: 2,755 km against 1,050 km for the Messerschmitt Me 262. The Messerschmitt Me 262 has the wider wingspan: 12.6 m against 11.3 m for the P-51 Mustang. The Messerschmitt Me 262 is heavier at takeoff: 7.1 tonnes against 5.5 tonnes for the P-51 Mustang. The P-51 Mustang first flew in 1940, 2 years before the Messerschmitt Me 262 (1942).
| P-51 Mustang | Messerschmitt Me 262 |
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| Top speed | 703 km/h (437 mph) | 900 km/h (559 mph) |
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| Range | 2,755 km (1,712 miles) | 1,050 km (652 miles) |
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| Length | 9.8 m (32 ft) | 10.6 m (35 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 11.3 m (37 ft) | 12.6 m (41 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 5.5 t (12,125 lb) | 7.1 t (15,653 lb) |
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| First flight | 1940 | 1942 |
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| Crew and capacity | 1 pilot | 1 pilot |
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| Engines | 1 × Packard Merlin V12 | 2 × Jumo 004 turbojet |
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| Built by | North American | Messerschmitt |
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| Country | USA | Germany |
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