Author Topic: P-38 wing loading? (Read 1511 times)

GScholz · « **Reply #45 on:** December 14, 2003, 05:10:10 PM »

On one side of the engine the AoA would be increased while on the other side the AoA would be reduced due to the corkscrew airflow of the propeller. Close to stall speed this would mean that on one side of the engine the reduced AoA would largely negate the increased airflow from the propeller while on the other side of the engine the increased AoA would make the wing stall. Just a though.

Regurge · « **Reply #46 on:** December 14, 2003, 07:00:56 PM »

I was thinking the same thing Gsholz. In AH the props turn such that the blades are rising on the inboard side, so they would increase the effective AoA over the inboard portion of the wing. So theoretically if you were flying power off at the edge of a stall, adding power would actually cause a stall. But its possible the designers might have accounted for that using washout or some other means.

Glasses · « **Reply #47 on:** December 14, 2003, 08:19:52 PM »

In AH all twin engine fighters turn better than anything else in here.

davidpt40 · « **Reply #48 on:** December 14, 2003, 10:41:04 PM »

B5N turns best.

Widewing · « **Reply #49 on:** December 14, 2003, 11:08:02 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by F4UDOA

2. I have heard many people say that the P-38 had low drag wings. It did not, it had the same airfoil as the F6F, F4U and FW190. It did have low drag flaps.

This is incorrect. They all had different airfoils.

P-38L: NACA 23016 for inner wings, NACA 4412 for outer wings.
F4U: NACA 23018-15 for inner wing panels, NACA 23015-8 for outer panels
F6F: NACA 23015-6 "Modified" for inner panels, NACA 23009 for outer panels.

The P-38 had an aspect ratio of 8.24
The F4U had an aspect ratio of 5.35
The F6F had an aspect ratio of 5.51

My regards,

Widewing

F4UDOA · « **Reply #50 on:** December 15, 2003, 08:35:48 AM »

WW,

I know the outer panels are different but the inner I have listed as 2300 for all including the F7F.

Point being the that the P-38's wing is not a low drag design. I have also read that the P-38 and the Lockheed Constallation Airliner/Transport have the same wing design both inner and out sections.

The P-38 did have a high aspect ratio but those engine Nacelles in the wing act as spoilers to lower the CLmax.

Zanth · « **Reply #51 on:** December 15, 2003, 09:22:54 AM »

P-38 is one of main things I am going to be curious to try out with new AH2 Flight model. I am hopeful this is a plane that will benefit greatly from the changes.