Oleg Maddox's Room #2 QUESTIONS & REQUESTS TO OLEG ABOUT BOB SOW

[imaca]

Originally Posted by Igo kyu

I agree with the two posts immediately above mine.

Particularly the Spitfire had lower wing loading than the 109, just look at the wings, the wings of the Spitfire are much bigger, so for aircraft of more or less the same weight the loading is bound to be lower.

In "Luftwaffe Fighter Aces" by Mike Spick, on page 50 we have a table including many things, particularly:

I remember an old " Air Illustrated" magazine which had a report by the RAE (I think) on the 109E. They did comment that the 109E had a tighter turn at low speed than the spitfire (because of slats), but overall were less than impressed - the main problem (apart from the cramped cockpit) they found was poor control harmonization, particularly at high speed elevators (i think) becoming very heavy. The low speed turn advantage would have little practical value in combat - obviously no pilot wants to get into a low energy state and I think Luftwaffe pilots generally kept speed high (BnZ).
Another advantage for the Spit is its large wing root fairings - these lower drag when turning which confers a superior energy retention in turning manouvres - (the 109 has a very abrupt wing/fuselage join)