Are slats shy ?

My practical experience with 109 slats (actually, Buchon, so late version and no, I haven't flown them - lol) is that on the ground they're very definitely either up or down. The mechanism doesn't seem to hint at any kind of balance anywhere in between, it's all up or all down. They do seem rather secure in the up position while on ground but I could imagine with a plane bumping around on the grass during takeoff they would likely pop down, but there would be contributing air loads going on as well, obviously.

It also struck me while I was fiddling with them that it might take a little less AoA to pop them back in that what popped them out. If so, that would reduce the chance of having them banging back and forth if one happened to be riding the magic AoA.


--- Let me know when I can groundloop a 109 (or anything else, for that matter - lol) in game. ---

[CaptainDoggles]

Originally Posted by cheesehawk

I just don't imagine myself ever in a dogfight thinking, how can I make this slat partially deploy!

That's the beauty of the design. They work automatically, allowing the pilot to maintain control at higher angles of attack without devoting mental effort to it.

[TomcatViP]

Originally Posted by zipper

My practical experience with 109 slats (actually, Buchon, so late version and no, I haven't flown them - lol) is that on the ground they're very definitely either up or down. The mechanism doesn't seem to hint at any kind of balance anywhere in between, it's all up or all down. They do seem rather secure in the up position while on ground but I could imagine with a plane bumping around on the grass during takeoff they would likely pop down, but there would be contributing air loads going on as well, obviously.

It also struck me while I was fiddling with them that it might take a little less AoA to pop them back in that what popped them out. If so, that would reduce the chance of having them banging back and forth if one happened to be riding the magic AoA.


--- Let me know when I can groundloop a 109 (or anything else, for that matter - lol) in game. ---

Thx for sharing Zip.

I understand here that friction wld be negligible as supposed.

[Crumpp]

I just mean that partial deployment is a neat trick, but who'd ever think about it in combat? And would there ever be a need to conscientiously try to get a partial deployment?

I agree. The point being that the slats work as required AND if they are correctly modeled, the pilot can precisely control their deployment.

It is a function check not a combat tactic.

[TomcatViP]

It's hard to ctrl the amplitude of the slats opening.

Once the slats start to deploy, the gap btw the slat and the LE (leading edge) is the path of the accelerated flow that will impart the equilibrium tending to accelerate any tendency either of opening or closing.

[Crumpp]

It's hard to ctrl the amplitude of the slats opening.

I never had any trouble, although what you are saying makes sense. It is however balanced by the weight of the aircraft such that the slat only open as required.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vbqgfjyW2Q

[Crumpp]

TomcatViP,

To clarify..

If you compare the initial opening of the slats and controlling them from the open position, you are correct.

The initial opening is much harder in comparison. It is still controllable but the level of skill required is much higher.

[TomcatViP]

Yes that's what I mean.

Never had to fly with slats until now so it is just my view of how it shld works.

Note = Modern slats on fighters are power ctrled so we can't make any comparison. Tht's why your vid is interesting to watch.

[Varrattu]

The current il2CoD bf-109 flight model files include the following entry:

LeadingEdgeSlats Mechanical Automatic Move 0.1 sec ResponseRange 15.0 to 15.01 deg

(personal note: when the BF109E stands on the ground, the AoA is 16 deg.)

Following the entry, the slats should function manually and/or automatically.

Looking at the current 15.0 to 15.01 deg AoA, the flaps should not work seriously.

Happy landings

Varrattu

[TomcatViP]

For me it only means that they were not satisfied with the result and blocked it without cancelling the code (for a latter revue ?)

Nice found Varra - a bit scary but nice