Thread: Bf109 test data
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Old 10-10-2012, 03:14 PM
41Sqn_Banks 41Sqn_Banks is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurfürst View Post
BTW ain't the Spitfire's FM based on the Spitfire prototype? No problem with this one, eh?
Nope. The speed charts posted by BlackSix are based on the performance test of N3171 (http://www.spitfireperformance.com/n3171.html). Interesting notes on engine power of this aircraft:

Quote:
The results show that the maximum level speed is reached with the airscrew controlling at 2800 engine r.p.m. On increasing the r.p.m. to 3000 the speed was reduced, on the average by 4 m.p.h.

For the particular engine fitted there is a reduction of 17 b.h.p. at constant boost (+6¼ lb) when the r.p.m. are increased from 2800 to 3000. The loss of speed is therefore probably due to the loss of power accompanied by a slight decrease in airscrew efficiency. The matter is being further investigated by Messrs.Rolls-Royce and Messrs.Rotols. It will be noted that reducing the R.P.M. from 3000 to 2800 lowers the full throttle height by 2000 feet.

4.3 Engine Power. The engine installed in the aeroplane develops slightly less power under test bed conditions than that in K.9793, the aeroplane fitted with the 2-pitch airscrew. This could have the effect of reducing the top level speed by about 2 m.p.h.

...


2. There is a drop of 13 m.p.h in maximum level speed compared with the 2-pitch airscrew aeroplane but of this, 8 m.p.h. can be attributed to sources other than the airscrew.

3. Below full throttle height an increase in speed of about 4 m.p.h. can be attained by controlling the engine R.P.M. at 2800 instead of 3000.
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