Stability and Control characteristics of the Early Mark Spitfires

[CaptainDoggles]

Thanks for posting, Lane.

Longitudinally, the aircraft is stable with centre of gravity forward, but is unstable with centre of gravity normal and aft with engine 'OFF' and 'ON'.

So at normal CG, the A&AEE concludes that the aircraft is longitudinally unstable. I'm sure certain characters will try to wriggle out of this one, but it seems open-and-shut to me. I'm sure we will be deluded with marginally-relevant allusions to British aerodynamics pioneers, and pilot quotes saying that the Spitfire was a dream to fly. Nobody's saying it wasn't a good aircraft.

Seeing people describe this thread as a "character assassination" has been amusing.