Spit IIa

[IvanK]

Originally Posted by Crumpp

If the unacceptable stability and control characteristics of the Spitfire are not modeled, then you will never have a simulation of the relative dog-fighting capabilities of these airplanes.

Unacceptable to Who ? A NACA methodology formalised 4 or so years after the aircraft first flew. Didnt a number of US units actually switch from from MKV's to MK VIII's.

As to NACA's evaulation of the MKV the RAE in Technical note No.Aero 1106 made a bit of a rebuttal on the NACA findings. This includes some criticisms in the way NACA carried out its tests. I guess both reports should be read to draw a balanced view. The RAE document refers to NACA reports ARC 6423 and ARC 6422.

Here is the Summary or conclusions of the Langley evaluation of the Spitfire MKVA "Measurements of the Flying Qualties of A Supermarine Spitfire VA Airplane" ... not all exactly bad


Here are the conclusions from the second Langley report "Stalling charcteristics of the Supermarine Spitfire VA Airplane again not all bad: