This was referenced specifically as elevator reversal, assuming that similar forces were at work here. The test pilot describes a scenario whereby a Jug pilot was in a Lufberry with an Fw190 at very high speed and was forced to reverse his control input to stay in the turn
I found some flight test data for the P-47D. It says there were no control reversal issues during the pullout from a dive. There might be some other data that says otherwise though.
Flight Test Engineering Branch
Memo Report No. Eng-47-1774-A
15 July 1944
FLIGHT TESTS ON THE REPUBLIC
P-47D AIRPLANE, AAF NO. 42-26167
USING 44-1 FUEL
I Introduction
Flight tests have been conducted at Wright Field on the P-47D airplane, AAF NO. 42-26167, at the request of the Power Plant Laboratory, Engineering Division. These tests were made to determine the increased performance of the airplane using the higher powers allowable by use 44-1 fuel as compared with powers allowable with the standard fuel, grade 100/130, Spec. No. AN-F-28. From 15 April to 30 June 1944 approximately 30 hours were flown by Captain R. B. Johnston.
The P-47D is a single engine, high altitude figher. It is equipped with a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-63 engine furnished with a water injection system and a four-bladed Curtiss Electric controllable propeller, blade design No. 836-2C2-18.
II Summary
Preliminary tests were run to clear the airplane for performance with higher powers with and without water injection. Detonation equipment was installed to determine if any flight condition became marginal as to detonation, cooling or improper operation of auxiliary parts. No detonation was observed in level flight up to 65.0" Hg. without water and 70.0" with water. No detonation was observed in climb up to 65" Hg. without water. Detonation occurred at 65.0" with water in climb but was remedied by using a No. 18 water jet. Cylinder head and carburetor air temperatures remained below the limits in level flight. Excessive cylinder head and carburetor air temperatures were encountered in climbs, limiting the duration of any climb to a point where limits are reached.
The airplane and engine handled well at all altitudes at the higher powers. At 70.0" Hg., water injection, a maximum speed of 444 MPH was obtained at 23,200 feet. At 65.0" Hg., with water a high speed of 439 MPH at 25,200 feet and a maximum rate of climb of 3260 ft/min. at 10,000 feet were obtained. At 65.0" Hg., without water a high speed of 430 MPH at 25,400 feet and a maximum rate of climb of 2850 ft/min. at 12,000 feet were obtained. At 56.0" Hg. without water a high speed of 418 MPH at 29,600 feet and a maximum rate of climb of 2330 ft/min. at 12,000 feet were obtained. At 52.0" Hg. without water a high speed of 412 MPH at 31,400 feet and a maximum rate of climb of 2030 ft/min. at 12,000 feet were obtained.
III Condition of Aircraft Relative to Tests
A. Flight tests were conducted at a take-off gross weight of 13,230 lbs. with the c.g. at 29.9 MAC, wheels up. This weight corresponds to the full combat weight of the airplane and includes full internal fuel, 15 gallons of water and ballast for 300 rounds of ammunition per gun.
B. All tests were conducted with landing gear retracted and wing flaps neutral. In level flight the cowl flaps were closed and the oil and intercooler flaps neutral; in climb cowl flaps, oil intercooler flaps were wide open. Gun blast tubes and wing racks were installed and all antennae were in place.
C. The airplane was finished with standard, service camouflage finish.
IV Flight Characteristics
A. Taxiing and Ground Handling
This airplane is easy to taxi and handles well on the ground as compared to other fighter planes with conventional landing gear. The brakes are touchy for the first one or two times used but after this they are smooth and respond well without excessive pressure. The tail wheel is full swivel when unlocked and responds very easily. There is a handle on the right side of the cockpit to lock and unlock the tail wheel., When in the "lock" position the wheel locks when returned to the center for taxiing straight and for take-offs and landings. At times it is hard to unlock the tail wheel after landing but it unlocks if the cable leading back from the handle is "flipped".
Crosswind has very little effect on taxiing and ground handling. The tail wheel reacts well and the airplane handles well in rough ground landings.
B. Take-off
Handling for take-off is good. With tail wheel in "lock" position, the airplane rolls straight and torque is very easily corrected for by using rudder and a few degrees right rudder trim. Aileron and elevator trim tabs are set in the neutral psoition for take-off. At lower power settings the take-off roll is very long but is greatly decreased by high power. Take-offs were not measured but they seem very short with War Emergency power and improve the pilot's confidence in the airplane. After the airplane is airborne, only a small change in rudder and elevator trim tabs is required to maintain climb.
All take-offs were made without flaps.
C. Stability
When trimmed in level flight for rated or normal power, the airplane is statically and dynamically stable directionally and longitudinally. Laterally, it has neutral stability. Also, when trimmed for 180 MPH glide, the stability is the same as with power.
D. Trim and Balance
Trim is easily maintained by using the aileron, elevator and rudder trim tab controls which are conveniently located on the left side of the cockpit. The trim tab controls work easily and are very sensitive. It takes considerable practice to trim the airplane and keep it trimmed because as on trim control is changed it requires changing others. At all altitudes and speeds the airplane can be trimmed to fly hands off. The auxiliary fuselage tank causes little extra trim when the gasoline from it is used first. If it is not used first, the airplane becomes slightly tail heavy. When opening shutters or putting down wheels and flaps, a medium amount of trim is needed.
E. Controllability
Control can be maintained in all attitudes and speeds up to the diving limits. Changes in speed require change in trim and if trim is not made or controls held, the airplane yaws violently. Thus, it requires quite a bit of practice for the pilot to maintain perfect control. For this reason, this airplane is not good on instruments. When the airplane gets out of trim it is very hard to retrim it on instruments.
F. Maneuvrability
No acrobatics were tried but rolling into turns and changing directions is very easily accomplished because of very light aileron forces. Rudder and elevator have somewhat heavier forces but not objectionably so. The radius of turn is large and the stick forces become very heavy in a turn requiring both hands on the stick.
The water control switch is objectionable because it must be held "on" by the pilot. This occupies the pilot's left hand and he cannot trim the plane or use both hands on the stick which is necessary to make a tight turn.
G. Stalling Characteristics
There is sufficient warning to the pilot of a stall. Slight buffeting of elevators can be felt in the stick, especially with cowl flaps open. Landing is not recommended with cowl flaps open because of false warning of stall and buffeting of elevator. Another warning of a stall is a jerking of the stick to the left. It will snatch the stick from the pilot's hand if he is holding it losely. The stall is normal and the nose falls straight forward and normal recovery is easy.
H. Spinning Characteristics
No spins were attempted.
I. Diving Characteristics
Acceleration in a dive is fast with control forces building up and becoming high above 350 MPH indicated. There is little vibration except as the speed approaches compressibility. A normal amount of trim is required but the forces on stick and rudder could be held by the pilot. However, the trim tab controls are easily accessible and the airplane can be trimmed easily for a dive.
In a pull out from a trimmed dive of approximately 450 MPH indicated the stick forces increase with the number of "g's" applied during pull out. At approximately 5 "g's" the forces are very heavy.
There is no tendency toward stick reversals. WWII Aircraft Performance P-47 Performance Trials
