Author Topic: Just a question on ditching model (Read 445 times)

RAM · « **on:** June 23, 2000, 09:07:00 AM »

well yesterday I ran outta fuel some 5 miles from the field and the prop drag (hehehe I expected A5 to have feathering prop) made me lose speed very fast...so I set a ditch. I went down, dropped full flaps and touched down at 105mph.

I died.

Well not that I midn it a lot, but just want to know how is the ditching model now (I.E. touchdown speed?). In WWII 100mph belly landing were quite usual and not necessary mortal to the pilot.

Any hints?

thanks

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Ram, out

Fw190D9? Ta152H1? The truth is out there
JG2 "Richthofen"

[This message has been edited by RAM (edited 06-23-2000).]

SC-GreyBeard · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2000, 12:22:00 PM »

Dunno,, I too tried to belly land a B-17 with the gears shot out at a field, full flaps, 100 knts, as soon as the belly turret touched the runway I died, as did my gunner whom had two kills.

No way should it have blown... think possibly Pyro went to far in the correction??

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bigred · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2000, 12:37:00 PM »

what was your rate of vertical descent???

its not the speed that should be dangerous in ditching (as long as your not totally screaming in)... but your descent rate that should matter....

a fast but flat ditch is much safer than a slower but steep landing, which would smash the airframe....

i forgot who but someone posted yesterday about a 4000ft/min descent rate in the pony with its engine out... that much should kill you dead pretty fast no matter what you ASI says...

-bigred

snafu · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2000, 01:40:00 PM »

Hi Ram,
I was wondering if there is any way of feathering the prop to cut down drag and found the following. If you reduce the RPM of a dead engine it seems to reduce the rate of descent (Or is it just me)? Is this perhaps a hidden feathering option? If it is it could be bloody useful in a multi engine aircraft if you loose an engine.

TTFN
snafu

mx22 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2000, 01:48:00 PM »

I think bigred is right. My usual approach for ditching is dive towards the ground to pick up some speed and then fly just above the ground until plane lands itself on the ground. I think I have done this at speeds around 150 in 1.03.
One thing for sure prop drag has a huge effect on both succesful landing and ditch. I would suggest feather it as soon as engine out.

mx22

Wanker · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2000, 02:33:00 PM »

Yep, I've done two succesful belly landings in a Yak 9U so far(both caused by bingo fuel!). Wasn't especially difficult, just did the same thing Mx22 did, skim the surface, and let the plane touchdown when it's ready. I was also going over 100mph during both of these.

Lephturn · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2000, 02:44:00 PM »

Don't forget, I would expect a plane like the Tiffy or the P-51 with a big induction scoop on the bottom to hook that and flip you on your head.

Otherwise though, I'm sure RAM died because he forgot about sink rate. I ditched a Yak last night no problem at 140 or so.

RAM, don't expect hard and fast rules on how to ditch. Do it reasonably and you will live sometimes. Watch your sink rate. Keep it between say 110 and 150 and if your sink rate is ok you have a good chance. You still might die, but that is to be expected.

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Duckwing6 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2000, 02:45:00 PM »

HT said that all a/c that HAD feathering props installed will feather automatically -> me thiniks the only full featherig props on the A/C in AH are for the Buffs and teh Goon ..

RAM · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2000, 03:48:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Lephturn:

Otherwise though, I'm sure RAM died because he forgot about sink rate. I ditched a Yak last night no problem at 140 or so.

ummm dont think so, I dropped flaps and acted just like in a landing, but without gear down. Maybe I was only unlucky, dunno.

About the feathering props...well dunno about other planes, in 190A5 surely there is no feathering prop

I felt it by myself

Swoop · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2000, 03:31:00 AM »

Just for the hell of it I tried some belly landings offline (in external view) and no matter how gently I touched down I died every time. Instantly.

Swoop

Sharky · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2000, 08:25:00 AM »

Naw,

It's still way to easy. A ditch attempt should have about a 1 in 20 chance of success. I would think that all the trees and holes and bumps on the ground would make ditching a WWII fighter a pretty dicy situation.

But if you have to ditch just land. I ran out of gas twice last night and dropped gear and flaps and landed just as easy as you please. Other than grades, the ground is modeled perfectly flat, so it's as good as the runway anyway.

Sharky

Heater · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2000, 08:30:00 AM »

Not sure...
I ditched a F4 last night belly landing full flaps 90 kts set it down tail first and the only problem I had was I could not stop the sliding down the hill, so ended up bailing and then died.

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[This message has been edited by Heater (edited 06-25-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Heater (edited 06-25-2000).]