N1K2 Flight Test, Part I (Climb)
Test ProtocolI loaded the N1K2-J with no external stores, and full fuel and ammunition. This is to correspond to the "historical" data that I have for it, with a testing weight of approximately 9,500lbs. This is also the approximate "loaded weight" listed in most tabel top reference books that I own.
After takeoff, aircraft was trimmed at level flight at 800 ft. and a auto-speed climb rate was set for 175 IAS. (note: aircraft can not be set to autospeed climb below 800 ft without it going into a terminal dive,even if speed is greater than 175 IAS).
Full Military Power was applied and autospeed climb initiated. Rate of Climb Data readings were taken every 1,000 ft., until aircraft reached its service ceiling. Data was input into Excel for graphing.
Test repeated at War Emergency Power (WEP).
Results
AH Test results are compared to the data provided on the performance graphs from the AW2 boxed set, reportedly from NASM historic flight tests.
ConclusionsIf the historic data from the AW2 charts is assumed to be correct (which is the best data I know that is commonly available, other submissions highly appreciated), the Aces High N1K2 is suffering from a lack of climbing ability. If you compare the "Expected" value to the "Tested-WEP" values you see that it is producing only about
75%-80% of its climbrate thru out the testing range.
Even in the upper altitude ranges where it seems that the two results tend to compare more closely, it should be noted that the fuel modifier in AH is reducing the ammount of error. In real world testing the aircraft would still have much more fuel (ie heavier, and lower climbrates) at those altitudes than the AH aircraft, since it would have only burned 40% as much fuel. Therefore, in such tests the "Tested" climbrates at the upper altitudes should actually exceed the historical values, which it clearly does not.
It should also be noted that the reference book Max Ceiling for the N1K2-J is approximatly 35,000 ft. In testing, using both MIL and WEP power the AH aircraft did not reach the reference max ceiling. Under MIL power the aircraft at 32,000 ft, reached a ROC of less than 200 fpm (definition of max ceiling I believe). Under WEP power, it reached the 200fpm value at 33,000 ft.
Further Testing (Speed vs Altitude, Max Turn vs Altitude) will hopefully be completed and the results presented here before the end of the weekend. And if Pyro can provide Clmax, and Cdo, I can do the tests for Acceleration vs Speed vs Altitude.
Comments, opinons, or insults, welcomed.
PS: Further testing will depend on how much free time the girlfriend absorbs, since she is visiting this weekend

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Vermillion
WB's: (verm--), **MOL**, Men of Leisure,
[This message has been edited by Vermillion (edited 11-04-1999).]