Quote:
Originally Posted by robtek
As usual the answer is only refering with evidence that is supporting the posters opinion and hair-splitting.
1. Did the 109 recover from a high speedstall with only minimal control input? The RAE report says so. Hardly a uncontrolled flight situation then, i'd say.
2. Did the early Spitfire depart from controlled flight in a high speed stall with a flip over and a following spin? Afaik all sides so far have admitted that.
There is no dispute that the controlled stall in the Spitfire was not hard to manage, but then, that was not asked for.
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As has been mentioned several times on this board, the Spitfire's stall was very easy to read and anticipate. Even rookie pilots were capable of learning this, and even in a high speed situation:
Quote:
From FIRST LIGHT, by Geoffrey Wellum
"I start to black out. Must be pulling 6 G's. Lean forward, raise my feet on to the rudder pedal extensions; God, they're heavy.
The Spit judders, a high speed stall. You can hold a Spitfire on this judder if you're good. Hold on, Geoff! Hold onto this turn. Fly her like hell.
I reckon I'm just a little above, just a fraction, and therefore gaining.
The German pilot is trying to tighten his turn still more to keep up with me and I'm sure I see the 109 flick. I can see the shape of his head quite clearly and even the dark shape of his oxygen mask. Yet again, I imagine that the 109 gives a distinct flick, on the point of a high speed stall. He has to ease his turn a fraction. The Spitfire gains slowly.
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I can quote quite a number of other examples.
The Spitfire's 'judder' or shudder or buffet happened before the stall, and it was quite possible to ride this edge for maximum turn rate.
Only those who were ham-handed or completely inexperienced would not know how to use this indicator.
Yes, if pushed beyond this, the Spitfire would flick over on its back and spin, but given the fact its stall speed was lower than the 109's, and it turn circumference was smaller, there was no need to for a pilot to take it that far.
Notice also in this description the 109 'flick' referred to. This is mentioned in many combat accounts, and tells us clearly that in an accelerated stall condition, there was the potential for a wing drop on the 109 if the stall indications are ignored and controls continue to be over-applied.