The Spit mach test was at FAE in a modified machine so it wasn't your run of the mill Spit Ia. That said it is extremely strong and managed .85 with Eric Brown at the controls. His colleague managed more because he was strong enough to apply more stick pressure.
I believe the OP expected just to catch the Spitfire up, this is not necessarily the case. The 109 had greater dive acceleration and much of this was due to the negative G cutout problem on the merlin, so often the 109 would pull away. At high speed though, due to the lack of rudder trim, a great deal of effort was required by the pilot of the 109 in applying rudder to trim out which the Spitfire could handle better. I recently read from one pilot (I forget) that he had no problem catching 109's diving because he barrel rolled to follow thus keeping G and engine power. You can do this in game, it's an effective method of dropping onto enemy without getting a cutout.
I am more bothered by the BS 'bunt' that 109's apply when getting hit. I believe that the pilot should risk injury from the violent bunts that 109's perform, up and down like bucking horses - show me a single guncam where that is happening - the body couldn't take it!
|