Author Topic: Spitfire Mk IX - stability issues (Read 3283 times)

Kweassa · « **Reply #105 on:** September 13, 2004, 03:38:35 AM »

Considering all the major nations of the world before WW2 had dangerous fascistic elements manifesting as a specific political force, it definately doesn't come down to just about one nation.

United States, France, England.. Austria, Belgium, Russia, etc etc etc.. they all had their own small but often very influential Fascistic political parties. Why Fascism manifested as a major political power in Germany had many different factors working into it.

But then again, ofcourse, the "dark human nature" bit is also total bullshi*.

Crumpp · « **Reply #106 on:** September 13, 2004, 05:53:45 AM »

Cool Angus. Thanks!
Crumpp

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #107 on:** September 16, 2004, 02:30:09 PM »

How many people here can even define longitudinal stability, stick-fixed or stick-free? Of those who can do that, how many actually know how to measure it? The mind boggles.

Angus · « **Reply #108 on:** September 16, 2004, 03:34:31 PM »

The Spitfire Mk V, allthough longitudionally unstable, could be trimmed to fly hands off.
But as C of G can change with G's, that does not tell too much, - the C of G was just too delicate for a super effective as well as light elevators.
The problem with the Spit V was apparantly that the C of G under G could shift from forward to backwards, causing the plane to pitch violently and take G's enough to kill the pilot or break the plane.
Hope that helps.

BTW, didn't some aircraft with the C of G more forward have the tendency to nose-down under high speed (in dive?), i.e. the 109?
Most WW2 aircraft, as far as I know, had the C of G more aft than the Spitty. Or am I confusing it with center of lift? Maybe both?

Would you refer to C of G as point of pivot by the way?