Stability and Control characteristics of the Early Mark Spitfires

[TomcatViP]

no, the tank is frwd of the CG

[bongodriver]

Originally Posted by TomcatViP

no, the tank is frwd of the CG

it's rear of the next biggest mass (the engine) an according to at least 1 diagram it is 14 inches behind the datum point, when the tank is full the CoG comes back.

[CaptainDoggles]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

You just don't have the evidence that that is actually what happened for a start, and even if it did happen it only would have happened when the CoG was at the point it created the 'slight' instability i.e. with a full fuel tank, so the effect you talk about would be dependent on fuel burn, the less fuel in the tank the lesser the effect.

It's unstable unless the CG is in the forward position.

We just spent 46 pages hashing this out so I'm not going to get into it with you; don't bother replying.

Go back and read the thread; it's all there. This thread has devolved into fanboys re-interpreting the presented evidence into "merely a slight" instability because their egos can't handle it, so I'm not going to perpetuate it.

Ta ta

[bongodriver]

It's unstable unless the CG is in the forward position.

Which is pretty much what I said

it only would have happened when the CoG was at the point it created the 'slight' instability i.e. with a full fuel tank

A full fuel tank is what makes the CoG move back, as the fuel empties the CoG shifts forward and the aircraft becomes more stable, it's got nothing to do with fanboyism, it's just plain and simple facts, I do CoG calculations as part of my day job remember.

This thread has devolved into fanboys re-interpreting the presented evidence into "merely a slight" instability because their egos can't handle it

No the pilot's notes also say it is 'slightly' unstable

[robtek]

The fuel tank is right above the line between the first and the second third of the wing, thats where the cog usually lies, so if it gets lighter the cog doesn't move at all, afaik.

[Al Schlageter]

Originally Posted by CaptainDoggles

Go back and read the thread; it's all there. This thread has devolved into fanboys re-interpreting the presented evidence into "merely a slight" instability because their egos can't handle it, so I'm not going to perpetuate it.

Ta ta

So a NACA engineer is a Spit fanboy?

"FIGURE 4.5. Supermarine Spitfire airplane. A high-performance fighter noted for its role in the Battle of Britain and throughout WW II, the Spitfire had desirably light elevator control forces in maneuvers and near neutral longitudinal stability. Its greatest deficiency from the combat standpoint was heavy aileron forces and sluggish roll response at high speeds. "

Some fanboys have a short memory.