Originally posted by Angus
Widewing, - I cannot but admire your dedication on the subject.
I've done some testing, but not to that amount on a single subject.
I did some testings with friends in the training arena. Not so easy to clock like this (how do you clock anyway, - stopwatch?), I was doing turn-tests like 109F vs Spit IX with various loads etc. What I got out was enough for a little frame of truth, such as that a lightly loaded 109F would turn on a pair with a Spit IX with full tanks etc.
I did some climb tests, and found the Spit XIV too slow to 20K, the 109G too fast, and in comparison, the Spit XVI is probably climbing too well, - well, it's a rather tight ballpark anyway.
I prefer to test offline, with fuel burn set at zero. This eliminates one variable.
Here's a general outline of the tests I perform.
Acceleration at SL, 5,000 ft, 10,000 ft, 20,000 ft and where applicable, 30k as well. I measure 150 mph to 250 mph and 250 mph to 350 mph or max attainable speed.
Max speed at SL, 10k, 16k, 20k, 25k and at best altitude. Sometimes done in increments of 1k to establish speed curve. Consumes huge chunks of time.
Turn radius and rate at SL, with full flaps, 25% fuel.
Turn radius and rate at 10k, with full flaps, 25% fuel
Turn radius and rate at 20k, with full flaps, 25% fuel
Turn radius and rate at SL, clean, 25% and 100% fuel
Turn radius and rate at 10k, clean, 25% and 100% fuel
Turn radius and rate at 20k, clean, 25% and 100% fuel
Rate of climb; combat climb, 300 mph TAS from SL to 10k, 25% fuel.
Rate of climb; from stop on runway to 10k, 25% fuel.
Rate of climb; from stop on runway to 20k, 25% fuel.
Dive speed from 25k to 10k, max speed recorded.
Dive acceleration, from 25k; Bunt over at 300 mph TAS, record time to accelerate to 500 mph TAS.
Roll rate at 150 mph, 250 mph, 300 mph and 350 mph. Testing done at 1,000 ft ASL.
Max range, recorded from E6B at best RPM/MAP for max range.
As you can imagine, this testing takes 8 to 10 hours per aircraft....
My regards,
Widewing