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Old 07-02-2010, 08:23 PM
Gaston Gaston is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David603 View Post
So in the simplest possible terms, the prop is trying to drag the aircraft in a straight line, and the more power is applied the more successful the prop will be in doing this, thus reducing turning ability.

Sorry we posted at the same time. Your description is exactly correct: This does not happen to the same extent at all on jet propulsion because the wing's lift center is leading the way, and propulsion is not dragging it but pushing it.

There is also the added element of the propeller disc being a broader more stable surface, while the jet propulsion stream is narrower.

Finally, radial engine propeller aircrafts tend to have a shorter nose, which seems to reduce the "leverage" of the propeller to make things want to go straight, which might explain the slow-speed turn performance of the FW-190A (much superior to the FW-190D according to its pilots).

Note also La-5 vs lagg-3, or Ki-100 vs Ki-61: Large unexpected jumps in turn maneuverability: In both cases the radial version was heavier...

Gaston

Last edited by Gaston; 07-02-2010 at 08:28 PM.
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