Stability and Control characteristics of the Early Mark Spitfires

[robtek]

Originally Posted by JtD

Exactly. And it was the only unstable oscillation with the Spitfire.

This answer is a try to digress.

We are talking about that it is necessary to move the stick almost completely back to neutral after starting a turn, because of the longitudal slightly negative stability
of the Spitfire (early marks) the turn rate would increase otherwise without further input by the pilot.

We are talking about a very sensitive elevator control, paired with a very short stick travel for large reactions, completed by a relative insensitive aileron control.

We are talking about the former points making it a bit harder to ride the buffet, the excellent stall warning of the Spitfire, without entering the buffet and loosing the turn advantage.

Everything documented and proven.

All this together made the Spitfire to a thoroughbred which needed sensitive hands on the controls.

A plane for the virtuosos, not the ham-fisted.