Relative turn radius and rate diagrams

[Widewing]

Here's the F6F-5 and F4U-1D as well...



My regards,

Widewing

[leitwolf]

Now, i'm thoroughly confused.
P-38L no-flap turn radius is a lot larger than P-38J.. why?

[clerick]

Thank you WW.  A quick question, are the 38 and F4 images to scale with the first you posted for the 51 and 47?

Looking at the differences in the 38 a few things struck me...

1) The differences between the G and J appear minimal, especially when compared to the L, it even appears that the J is turning as tight with a higher rate.  I had expected to see the J and L closer if not identical and the G much tighter turning.

2) The differences in the J and L unflapped seems odd, especially when the flapped turns seem to come back in line with each other.  I was under the impression that they were, for all purposes, identical in AH, that only the roll rates should really be different.

3) If all the images are to scale then it would appear that the 38's all have an advantage over most of the other panes you tested.  With the exception of the spit it seems to either win in radius, rate or both against he others, some of which i wold have expected to do better.

thoughts?

[Widewing]

Originally posted by clerick
Thank you WW.  A quick question, are the 38 and F4 images to scale with the first you posted for the 51 and 47?

Looking at the differences in the 38 a few things struck me...

1) The differences between the G and J appear minimal, especially when compared to the L, it even appears that the J is turning as tight with a higher rate.  I had expected to see the J and L closer if not identical and the G much tighter turning.

2) The differences in the J and L unflapped seems odd, especially when the flapped turns seem to come back in line with each other.  I was under the impression that they were, for all purposes, identical in AH, that only the roll rates should really be different.

3) If all the images are to scale then it would appear that the 38's all have an advantage over most of the other panes you tested.  With the exception of the spit it seems to either win in radius, rate or both against he others, some of which i wold have expected to do better.

thoughts?

I accidentally cut and pasted in the wrong image into the montage. It's fixed now, with the correct image for the P-38L. I apparently had a P-47 diagram open and copied it by error.

All diagrams are to scale. All aircraft are tested below 100 feet ASL. This means that the film view is always within about 50 feet in terms of the altitude where the circle is seen. Total error is certainly less than 1%.

Both the F6F-5 and F4U-1D turn much smaller circles than the P-38s when using flaps. The P-38L is several hundred pounds heavier than the P-38J and this is reflected in the diagrams. Turn radius is similar, but the L model is slower around the circle.

My regards,

Widewing