Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenrir
With all due respect caspar, and I respect you TD guys enormously, I get the feeling you're being facetious, when all I'm trying to do is help you guys get the Spits as accurate as possible.
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Some great research there mate. I couldn't agree more with your attitude to trimming aircraft in general, not just the spit. But It makes sense to trim for combat zone cruise power settings while in formation so you can spend less time checking instruments, and less time concentrating on keeping plane in formation and more time scanning the skies.
I've always had to apply a bit of aileron in the spit at full power, which I'm sure 99% of us use 99% of the time given the turn and burn nature of most online games. I'm also contantly applying trim for any given air speed, It's only when I'm flying with a formation that i'm interested in having a lower workload.
Pilots spent 95% of their time getting to and from combat, not in actual combat, and we very rarely fly in formation unless in offline campaign mode. So the planes should be set for a compromise between getting fatigued from a high pilot workload getting to combat at cruise power, and a lower pilot workload at combat zone power so you can concentrate on spotting enemies.
The ultimate answer is to allow a fixed trim setting for non-adustable surfaces in plane loadout screen for planes that actually had set and forget trim tabs. (not just the spit BTW)
I have learned to fly the new spit FM with negative 40% elevator trim to fly straight and level, bit I still think that is way too much. The plane still needs negative elevator trim even at low power setting at sub 200MPH which just doesnt feel right.
I hope the DT guys will take this on board and consider some more real data rather than some visual references that they have eluded to earlier about elevator position in flight.
I have been to many airshows in Australia and regularly attend the Temora Aviation Museum where we have a couple of operational spits (mk VIII & XVI) that i have seen up close and personal on the tarmac and flying in formation at low alt. These aircraft are flown every 3-4 weeks or so. Next time im at the next showcase I will try and speak to the pilots and get 1st hand comments and I'll even record what they say.
We have 3 spitfire outings before April so I will try and get to all 3 and also take a bunch of pics. I already have a few hundred pics, and use pro camera gear so I will get some great pics.
February 19th, 2011 Aircraft Showcase - V-12's and Trainer Spitfire, P-40, Tiger Moth, Wirraway, Ryan
March 5th, 2011 No Showcase due to TAM support of Avalon Airshow
March 19th, 2011 Aircraft Showcase - Bomber/Attack Hudson, A-37B, T-28, Spitfire
April 2nd, 2011 Aircraft Showcase - Jet Fighters Meteor, A-37B, Sabre
April 16th, 2011 Aircraft Showcase - Piston Fighters Wirraway, Spitfire, P-40
My grandfather and his brother both flew a mix of allied plans in combat in the pacific campaigns and I have just requested both of their complete service records from the national archive. There may be some interesting notes to look through.
Ultimately I want the modelling to be accurate, so If I and the handful of people who have commented on the spitfire flight models are wrong after more data is revealed, Im sure we will be hapy to eat our hats! We just want the emperical data to back up the FM changes!
Cheers TD and S! to all.
FS~Phat - Fire Squadron