Stability and Control characteristics of the Early Mark Spitfires

[TomcatViP]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

I meant to add, the reason I believe this is the effect is because the only Weight and balance diagrams I have seen of the Spitfire place the fuel tank moment just behind the datum point, as fuel reduces then the moment weight is offset by the constant moment weight of the engine which I think we can all agree is ahead of the datum.

You've probably seen a doc related to the AFT mounted tank of the spitfire, scarcely used on fighters but primal on the reco version.

[bongodriver]

Originally Posted by TomcatViP

You've probably seen a doc related to the AFT mounted tank of the spitfire, scarcely used on fighters but primal on the reco version.

No it was the diagram on this thread, and let's face it, if the fuel tank was forward of the datum then the Spitfire could not have possibly been unstable, so in this case I am argueing 'for' your cause.

[Al Schlageter]

If the early Spits were so tail heavy then why did the MkVIII have 22.5lb added (weight and mount) to the tail? moment arm 175.5"

[Glider]

Originally Posted by Al Schlageter

If the early Spits were so tail heavy then why did the MkVIII have 22.5lb added (weight and mount) to the tail? moment arm 175.5"

The very very early spits and I am talking about the first two bladed version, not the mk 1a as per BOB, were tail heavy and had weights in the nose. This ws soon countered as the additional equipment and natural growth common in almost any aircraft did away with the need.