Spitfire supposed to dive better than the 109?

[jf1981]

Originally Posted by ATAG_Dutch

Both true. In fact when I did my dive tests, I pulled out using the trimmer exclusively. In the high speed dives, I need a lot of down trim and a lot of rudder trim, but got up to at least 440mph, maybe 450, but by that time I was more concerned with where the ground was.

P.S. I also brought prop pitch down to fully coarse, i.e. lowest revs.

Yes but I think they messed also on the aircraft, there's no reason to need rudder trim in such a dive.

[IvanK]

Originally Posted by Fenrir

Spitfire was known to have high Mach no., bout the .92 (from memory, don't flme if I'm wrong!). The 109 likely does not have such high an ultimate dive speed - where your advantage is, or more precisely should be in dive acceleration; you can bunt and initially outdistance a Spitfire in a 109 but given enough altitude I'd expect the Spitfire to gain eventually.

Also remember the Flight Models are still a work in progress - could be worth testing and taking to the Dev Team.

Dont think we can ever get high enough in CLOD at present to get into Mach number territory

[Glider]

I wouldn't set too much store in the 0.92 Mach no. It was reached but it was a test pilot and the machine basically fell apart around him, the prop came off, the engine almost fell out.

Mind you the wings stayed on

[CaptainDoggles]

Originally Posted by Glider

I wouldn't set too much store in the 0.92 Mach no. It was reached but it was a test pilot and the machine basically fell apart around him, the prop came off, the engine almost fell out.

Mind you the wings stayed on

0.89 is the figure I recall seeing quoted as a "typical" dive. Also IIRC in that particular test, the wings stayed on but were bent backwards (i.e. the structure failed).

[bw_wolverine]

Originally Posted by CaptainDoggles

0.89 is the figure I recall seeing quoted as a "typical" dive. Also IIRC in that particular test, the wings stayed on but were bent backwards (i.e. the structure failed).

Wow. A pilot actually did this test? Did he have to bail out? Surely, he must have.

Was it part of the test or just a 'test' that came out of an accident?

Very cool nevertheless!

[SG1_Gunkan]

The real 109 just need to roll during a normal dive and the Spitfire couldn't follow him. Was so hard for spitfires pilots that they even need using the rudder. But, at the same time this was dangerous and some pilots died because the wings twisted and broke.

I remeber have read too some problems with fabric controls surfaces.

Please correct me if i am wrong or inaccurate.

[CaptainDoggles]

Originally Posted by SG1_Gunkan

The real 109 just need to roll during a normal dive and the Spitfire couldn't follow him. Was so hard for spitfires pilots that they even need using the rudder. But, at the same time this was dangerous and some pilots died because the wings twisted and broke.

I remeber have read too some problems with fabric controls surfaces.

Please correct me if i am wrong or inaccurate.

I think the wing-flexing issue was corrected in later marks.

[CaptainDoggles]

Originally Posted by bw_wolverine

Wow. A pilot actually did this test? Did he have to bail out? Surely, he must have.

Was it part of the test or just a 'test' that came out of an accident?

Very cool nevertheless!

Yep, it was an actual test. They started from 40 000 feet.

[bw_wolverine]

Originally Posted by CaptainDoggles

Yep, it was an actual test. They started from 40 000 feet.

I wonder how many forms the pilot had to sign before that one!

[Baron]

Originally Posted by bw_wolverine

Wow. A pilot actually did this test? Did he have to bail out? Surely, he must have.

Was it part of the test or just a 'test' that came out of an accident?

Very cool nevertheless!

I remember reading Pierre Clostermans biography about such an event where he and his wingman (iirc) chased down a high alt recognisances ac. (Do17?) where both spits was condemned after the mission. Wings bent, aluminium sheeting all wrinkled. I seem to remember them both got nose bleeds from the sheer speed and the resulting manoeuvres getting out of the dive. Intresting though, is the fact that the recon must have reach similar speeds before being shot down (not falling apart into a torpedo).

Fast indeed, but everything is relative. Like, can i park the plane afterwards without the wings falling of.


Not sure if i remember everything exactly to the letter but the essence is there.