Wings on mk xiv

[ONTOS]

I have had the wings come off the Mk XIV in high speed turns several times. The turns were not quick ( no blacking out signs ), and upon research, I have found nothing about this phenomenon. And high speed, I an talking 375 mph. Is this normal for the Mk XIV ?
I appreciate any information.

[diaster]

I merged with a Spit14 today and thought he disco'd. Driver was you correct, Daff?, anyway I thought he/you bailed and had to watch the film. Turns out he/you pulled up after some very small banks and both wings came off. I didn't look closely but estimate the speed was about 400.

[FLS]

Film is useful for these questions.

[ONTOS]

Diaster, It sounds like you I merged with. I went high and tried to turn and, alas, no wings. Speed could could have been close to 400, not real sure.. Only thing sure of, the wings departed from my plane.

[Greebo]

I've read a RL account of how early Griffon Spits had fragile wings in "They Gave me a Seafire" by Mike Crossley. It has been long time since I read it but IIRC he described how shortly after converting to Griffon Seafires at the end of the war one of his squadron pilots died while giving a flying display. His wing folded while pulling high Gs and this turned out to be a known problem with early Griffon Spits. These Spits were a stopgap design and had no extra wing reinforcement compared to the Merlin Spits they were based on. The heavier Griffon engine put more stress on the wing and so RAF pilots were warned not to pull very high Gs, something that hadn't been passed on to Crossley's naval squadron in the Far East. The Seafires later had a thicker upper wing skin modification flown out and fitted to them.

[ONTOS]

Thanks for the information. I like learning things about airplanes.

[colmbo]

Good info from Greebo…

That being said I routinely pull to blackout with the Spit 14 and have never lost a wing.  Perhaps your controller is spiking.

[morfiend]

Good info from Greebo…

That being said I routinely pull to blackout with the Spit 14 and have never lost a wing.  Perhaps your controller is spiking.

  Ding ding ding,we have a winner!  I suspect this also,I've spent plenty time in the 14 and put it through the paces and even got into G lock but have never tore the wings off.


  If you go to map controls you can check to see if your equipment is spiking,watch the numbers and or use the advanced tab and watch the raw and scaled windows,if you have spiking it will be evident.


   

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

Good info from Greebo…

Perhaps your controller is spiking.

Absolutely must be checked. Also i am wondering if the wings being damaged makes less able to hold during high g's

[Scca]

Seen it happen, had it happen.

[BaldEagl]

I've snapped wings off nearly every Mk Spitfire in the past.  It usually happens pulling hard out of a high speed dive.  The XIV seems particularly vulnerable due to it's inherent speed advantages over the other Mk's.  While I'm sure you'd easily be pulling a blackout you never get there brcause the wings go first.

My rule of thumb in a high speed Spit is "easy does it".

BTW I've also done this in the F6F-5 with ordnance onboard.