G Load on 262

[crockett]

What's the max G load and speed on a 262 before the wings snap off?

I have a lot of perk points so I decided to start upping 262's a little more often. I'm still a bit squeamish of dog fighting with them, but I've been doing bomber patrols and goon hunting with them.

I've flown four sorties in the 262 in the last two days the first three ended with successful landings of four kills each. So I started feeling a bit cocky on the last sortie and decided to drop on a fighter. I just barely missed him and started pulling up was doing about 450-500mph at a fairly steady climb and the wings snapped off.  

Personally I didn't think I was pulling too many G's or was going fast enough., but I guess I was wrong. So I was wondering what is the limit that it will take?

[EagleDNY]

Originally posted by crockett
What's the max G load and speed on a 262 before the wings snap off?

I just barely missed him and started pulling up was doing about 450-500mph at a fairly steady climb and the wings snapped off.  

It is easy to rip the wingtips off a 262.  We were flying a 262 mission with our Squadron CO, and he managed to rip his tips off in a vertical climb AFTER he had pulled out.  He was nowhere near the blackout G limit either.

I can't tell you if this is a bug in the flight model, or just some combination of having the 262 heavily loaded with fuel (almost everybody takes a full load) and then pulling out, or even going negative G at the wrong moment.  I try to stay away from making abrupt control movements in the 262, and that seems to minimize the problem.  

I've got books on the 262 that show the wing structure - it's not lightly constructed, and I can't remember reading of any actual wing failures in combat.  Frankly, I'm hoping that HT will give the 262 a flight model and cockpit makeover (I'll volunteer to go out to the Smithsonian and get him some good cockpit shots) and then maybe the problem will be corrected (or at least figured out )

EagleDNY

[crockett]

Yea that's pretty much what happened to me.. I made the dive attack on the enemy fighter missed him and continued at a level flight path to keep my speed up. After I was sure he couldn't turn in on me I started climbing at what I felt was a gradual climb rate.

At that points the wings detached themselves from my aircraft and I tumbled to the ground. B that time, I was far enough away the enemy didn't get a proxie kill on me.. However it still sucks to lose a 262 like that.

I had one other time I ripped the wings off and that was in a steep dive, so after that I've been pretty careful with my dive ands climb speeds. This last one kinda baffles me though.

[wooley]

I've pulled the wings off a 262 in a very gentle level turn. I was most surprised to say the least.

At least one other squaddie has done the same.

[Hoarach]

I dont think its very consistent.  

Ive done about 450 and do a slow climb and rip my wings and Ive also done 550 and slow climb and dont rip my wings.

[Krusty]

The wings on the 262 are so fragile I suspect it's a bug. There's no way it should snap like that. Nor should the 190's wing snap, with the solid central spar. Even 190s that forcibly crash land rarely ever broke their wings off.

[Mr No Name]

Originally posted by Krusty
The wings on the 262 are so fragile I suspect it's a bug. There's no way it should snap like that. Nor should the 190's wing snap, with the solid central spar. Even 190s that forcibly crash land rarely ever broke their wings off.

Gotta agree 100% with this.

[Citabria]

i have more problems ramming what im shooting at in 262 than snapping wings

but seriously you pull an instant G of anything substantial not a steady pull

im talking stick spike type flick and the wingtips at the very least will no longer be there.

[Anyone]

dunno if its a "bug" or not, but ive just learned to not pull hard G turns untill im at least under 50% fuel.

[EagleDNY]

Originally posted by Anyone
dunno if its a "bug" or not, but ive just learned to not pull hard G turns untill im at least under 50% fuel.

I agree here - I see this happen a lot more when the 262 is heavy on fuel.  I'll have to go to the TA and experiment a bit and maybe generate some film.  If nothing else, it should help figure out what the problem is.