Spitfire

[gilmc123]

Why is it that the spitfire is harder to fly than a sopwith camel? Its a constant battle with the rudder to keep her in check and im sure from what ive read and seen in documentarys she didnt fly that bad.

[WTE_Galway]

Originally Posted by gilmc123

Why is it that the spitfire is harder to fly than a sopwith camel? Its a constant battle with the rudder to keep her in check and im sure from what ive read and seen in documentarys she didnt fly that bad.

Spitfires were too girly and effeminate to be of use in a serious battle anyway.

[gilmc123]

But it was supposed to be the plane you wore the dancing though the air and so on.

[Sternjaeger II]

Probably because in a Spit you have things like 10 times the HP of a Camel,speeds are exponentially higher and last but not least enoug torque to rip the Camel's wings off the fuselage..

Camels were nasty machines nonetheless,very unforgiving at low speeds and like most of the planes powered by rotary engines they had dangerous autorotation tendency..

[gilmc123]

But it doesnt feel graceful like it says it was.

[Sternjaeger II]

Originally Posted by gilmc123

But it doesnt feel graceful like it says it was.

It depends on what is your definition of "graceful": despite its brutal performance numbers, in the hands of a pilot the Spit is a well balanced and efficient aircraft.

[gilmc123]

Its just not a joy to fly and i feel there is somthing missing the feel of flight isnt there like it is when i fly ROF i cant feel the energy just feels bland.

[WTE_Galway]

Always read pilot comments with the background of the person making the comment in mind.

If a NOVICE pilot says "a nice plane and easy to fly" he means even when he flared too early panicked, cut throttle and belly flopped on the runway it stayed straight and landed nicely.

If a TEST pilot says "a nice plane and easy to fly" he means there is at least 5 knots leeway between stall and VNE, it only drops in to inverted flat spins half the time ( and at least half those are recoverable) and in most flights the wings stay on, the engine does not explode and the propeller does not go off on a personal joyflight.

In terms of the Spitfire, it is generally being compared by experienced RAF flight crew with decidedly "difficult" aircraft like Gloster Gladiators, Fairey Swordfish and Boulton Paul Defiants.

[AndyJWest]

Why is it that the spitfire is harder to fly than a sopwith camel?

Um, which Sopwith Camel? I doubt that there are many of us that have flown a real one. If you are talking about simulations, I'd say the CloD Spits are a darned sight easier to fly than the Camel in Rise of Flight for instance - at least one with a fullish fuel tank. Perfect for dogfighting once (if?) you get used to it - especially if you purchase the 'enlarged hole in top wing' mod (Extra hole! yours for only $1.50! http://riseofflight.com/en/store/wea.../Sopwith_Camel ) but lethal until you do. Little stability in any axis until the fuel tank is at least 2/3 empty, a vicious spin, and an engine that over-revs and fills your face with oil at every opportunity. The CloD Spit is a pussycat in comparison.

[CWMV]

I live the "feel" argument.
Come on even crump has evidence to back his claims and assertions.
Doesn't "feel right" is really nearly meaningless.