Quote:
Originally Posted by Varrattu
Just out of curiosity ... ...
Has anyone of you experience flying a real BF109E?
Regards
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Nope, but it is interesting to read the reports of
pilots who have. (also cited by Buzzsaw)
Quote:
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Once familiar with coordination of propeller pitch with speed changes, the Bf-109 and I performed some gentle aerobatics together – strictly for technical investigation, you understand. Loops were enlightening. The low directional stability could result in comically large heading variations unless careful rudder coordination was applied. I was reminded of a long-ago instructor of mine, who remarked upon seeing my aerobatics, “Nice loop. Now do one to the right.” It was easily mastered with practice. Multiple manoeuvres seemed to result in a notable decay in speed, particularly whenever the leading edge slats deployed; a stark contrast to the Spitfire, whose elliptical wings retain energy nicely under sustained ‘g’. The Messerschmitt was paying the price for its high wing loading.
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The 109 needed slats to compensate for its high wing loading and lack of washout, which lots of other other fighters had; eg: Spitfire, Fw 190. Slats were simply another way of changing the stall characteristics of a highly loaded wing. They were not the miraculous device that some seem to think.