Stability and Control characteristics of the Early Mark Spitfires

[taildraggernut]

I know...this is just another one of those pesky reports by that class of people who know nothing of the subjet i.e. a pilot, but at least this one doesn't have 60 years of faded memory and biassed oppinion (he also flies a 109)

http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNe...Rob-Erdos.aspx

My first airborne impressions of the Hurricane were a bit of surprise. It’s…well, wobbly. During maneuvers the Hurricane is heavy, but pleasant. Rudder coordination isn’t optional, but not uncharacteristic of its vintage. Attempts at trimming the aeroplane are never fully satisfactory, and you can’t really take your hands off the stick for very long. The control forces are quite high; a situation not aided by horrendous amounts of control system friction. In this regard, comparisons are inevitable. Wartime lore has it that while the Spitfire was more agile, the Hurricane was a more “stable gun platform”. Sorry. In terms of classical stability the Spitfire wins by a small margin on all counts. Nevertheless, the Hurricane’s firm control feel gives it a sense of solidity that would complement an adrenalin-charged young fighter pilot.