There were reports of uncontrollable high speed tail flutters that caused crashes in dives. Will HiTech model this into the Re.2005 we get?
In the meantime, another 10 fighters joined 362ma but when one was damaged in a steep dive on 21 August 1943, some concern was raised. On 25 August, MM.092356 (Lt Dario Signorini bailed out) was lost during another dive and so further flights were discontinued. It was discovered that at speeds over 660 km/h TAS, every manoeuvre could adversely affect the flight control in the tail, and then cause damage to the fuselage from flutter being set up. Subsequently, Re.2005 pilots were forbidden from attaining very high speeds (VNE 800 km/h), however, by that time, operations were winding down as the Armistice was taking effect.[5] However, in July 1943 trials, Cmdr. de Prato achieved a speed of 980 km/h in a dive with no loss of control, and experienced no flutter problems.
It was discovered that at speeds over 660 km/h TAS, every manoeuvre could adversely affect the flight control in the tail, and then cause damage to the fuselage from flutter being set up. Subsequently, Re.2005 pilots were forbidden from attaining very high speeds (VNE 800 km/h), however, by that time, operations were winding down as the Armistice was taking effect.[5] However, in July 1943 trials, Cmdr. de Prato achieved a speed of 980 km/h in a dive with no loss of control, and experienced no flutter problems.
On 25 August de Prato carried out test dives at Guidonia. He then flew the aircraft back to Reggio Emilia where three more dives were made on 27, 29 and 31 August. According to De Prato's account, the tests concluded that the "shaking" began at 660 km/h true air speed and that they were caused by inadequate dynamic balancing of the empennage, the balance likely lost during full excursion rudder maneuvers performed during dives. After correcting the balancing, de Prato dived the aircraft to 980 km/h TAS (610 mph), convincing himself that the structure of the Re.2005 was fully capable of pulling high g's. De Prato wrote, "Our pilots were used to small rudder control surfaces, such those of Macchis and Messerschmitts; with such aircraft full excursion rudder movements were not a problem."
This was a single Re.2005 corrected per a test pilot. Does anyone know if the Re.2005 fleet was corrected or, pilots just dove carefully until the end of the war? We do love our dives and kicking our rudders in the MA.
