Stability and Control characteristics of the Early Mark Spitfires

[NZtyphoon]

Originally Posted by Crumpp

But it is not that way.

First, the anti-Spitfire faction exist's only in your mind.

That's reassuring - you all can stop the "pro-Spitfire faction" nonsense then.

Originally Posted by Crumpp

Second, anybody who knows stability and control can read the article to see the characteristics clearly.

You mean poor longitudinal stability? By all means point it out to the ignoramus' surrounding you.

Originally Posted by Crumpp

The gentleman who was interviewed for the article points out the fact they did not have a good understanding of stability and control engineering at the time.

What he does point out is that it was extremely difficult visualising the type of combat likely to be faced in a future war - he does not point "out the fact they did not have a good understanding of stability and control engineering at the time."

Jeffrey Quill Supermarine Chief test Pilot:




The bob weights introduced in 1942:





No stability problems Mk I & II, although borderline; Spitfire Vs incorrectly loaded at a squadron level in 1942, so bob-weights fitted in a "crash" (sic!) program before elevators modified with a larger mass balance.