Stability and Control characteristics of the Early Mark Spitfires

[bongodriver]

This video has a very intersting part at 3:20, listen very carefully to what the late Mark Hanna says, I know MH434 is a Mk9, but that is no less unrelated than a Mk5, but the point is this is how people who have flown any marque speak about the Spitfire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgn7o...feature=g-vrec

[robtek]

Yep, it's a Mk IX, and the difficulties of the early marks were reduced to non-problems by i.e. artificially increasing the stick forces with the bob-weights since the Mk V.
Later marks didn't have the extreme low stick forces (elevator) anymore.
They were still 'desirable light', though.

[bongodriver]

Originally Posted by robtek

Yep, it's a Mk IX, and the difficulties of the early marks were reduced to non-problems by i.e. artificially increasing the stick forces with the bob-weights since the Mk V.
Later marks didn't have the extreme low stick forces (elevator) anymore.
They were still 'desirable light', though.

only the Mk5 was ever fitted with a bob weight, the Mk9 was not.

[Crumpp]

What is the pilot to do if the airplane does not recover by 5000 feet?

[Crumpp]

We will simply forget the fact the Spitfire 'never' picked up the reputation you are seeking here

Wow, the instability only existed in the early marks.

Not all Spitfires were Mk I, II, or early Va's.

However ALL Spitfires were fixed with the addition of bob-weights or other design changes to eliminate the instability.

[IvanK]

Originally Posted by Crumpp

What is the pilot to do if the airplane does not recover by 5000 feet?

It doesn't actually say must be recovered by 5000feet it says recovery must be initiated by 5000feet. Its minimum altitude guidance to the pilot implying that up to 5000feet might be required for full spin recovery.

[Crumpp]

Right Ivan....

Did you read the recovery characteristics??

Again, answer the question.

What is the pilot to do if recovery does not begin by 5000 feet?

[IvanK]

Crummp read the exact words. "Recovery must be STARTED not lower than 5000 feet" !!!!

Its like in any aeroplane that the pilot has a means of escape, (Ejection seat or parachute). Its a judgement call if out of control there comes a time where the pilot must decide stick with it and attempt a recovery or step over the side.

Did you read the AVIA test reports on spinning behaviour posted earlier ... ?

[DC338]

Originally Posted by Crumpp

Right Ivan....

Did you read the recovery characteristics??

Again, answer the question.

What is the pilot to do if recovery does not begin by 5000 feet?

The simple answer is continue with the spin recovery that you have already initiated and you should come out of the spin in the next turn or so. Allowing you sufficient room to pull out.