It was mentioned in another thread today and I figured it would work better here instead of as a hijack.
I've seen more than one person mention how they flew a significant distance with no vstab and ditched or landed their plane. HOW?!
Any time I've lost my vstab I have had approximately 10 seconds of vaguely controlled flight before my plane fluttered toward earth mother's welcoming embrace like a leaf.
Wiley.
I landed a 109E with no vstab last night. I was practicing offline to see how short/long of a burst it took with the MGs only to kill various planes, which requires shooting in very close. I tried some of these on BnZ passes, and many times could get the enemy plane to explode before I collided, except once.
I ducked too late under one of the planes that didn't go "boom" and lost my vStab, rudder and left elevator. Once I realized the 09E was maintaining level flight, I was able to turn it (slowly) around 180 degrees while reducing power and bringing it into a long approach to the field. I was able get a safe (survived) crash-landing on the runway. Unfortunately, I didn't think to save the film as it didn't immediately strike me as unusual, as I have landed planes with a variety of damage before (but perhaps not without the vstab).
I was in roughly level flight at relatively high speed for the 09E (over 300 mph+) at the time of the collision. I don't know if speed was a factor in not losing immediate control or if it was more the fact that I was simply continuing in level flight and not at a greater AoA. The plane did remain surprisingly stable even as I turned and slowed for approach, having cut throttle in order to descend.
Something special about the 09E that may have assisted this?
I may try duplicating it again (with an intentional collision) and will post a film of it if I do. AH doesn't have a .hurtme command like there was in WB's does it?
<S>
Ryno