The 'Great Debate' - Spitfire vs BF109

[winny]

Originally Posted by Crumpp

Let's not turn it into something it is not. Apply some common sense please.

Winny posted that single remark out of context is the subject. Winny, who quoted Mr Wellum, does not understand that CG's move and aircraft change condition of flight.

I am sure Mr Wellum was absolutely right for the condition he is referring too. Just as I am sure the RAE, Operating Notes, NACA, and test pilots are correct for the conditions they measured.




Well the Germans did not take any measurements so it is just opinion.

IIRC, at normal and aft CG the aircraft is longitudinally unstable. Depending on the speed and by careful application, neutral stability could also produce "faultless turns" by careful flying.

How the hell is it 'out of context'?
It's a standalone quote from a Spitfire pilot.

Are you saying Wellum is wrong?

And I do understand CG, I also understand that all your NACA data relates to a MK V. Which had a different CG, modified wings, different engine, different AUW and over 300 modifications from a Mk I.

I could also provide quotes from Brian Lane where he intentionally spins a Spitfire, or intentionally stalls one. Both things you have repeatedly said were forbidden. I'm sick of your by the book attitude, for someone who claims to be ex special forces you seem to fail to grasp the context of young men fighting for their lives and what they will do in order not to die.

Anybody who ignores pilot accounts is an idiot. As far as I know they are the only record of what happened when these aircraft were used for what they were designed for, combat.

Your dismissal of Wellum is offensive to me, and disrespectfully to him. Who the hell are you? Nobody.

Edit: I'll give you some more 'context' the preceding 2 sentences and the one after the quote I used...

If you want to shake someone off your tail you have to fly your Spitfire to its limits. In a tight turn you increase the G loading to such an extent that the wings can no longer support the weight and the plane stalls, with momentary loss of control...
...A 109 can't stay with you.