Stability and Control characteristics of the Early Mark Spitfires

[CaptainDoggles]

Originally Posted by ATAG_Dutch

I totally fail to see the point in this thread, other than to ask the devs to model a changing CofG and longitudinal stability according to fuel load. Is that the point?

Here's a simple example from the game: Right now, to hold a turn in the spit you have to hold the stick back a significant amount.

In reality, after initiating the turn I believe it was necessary to relax your pressure on the stick (move it closer to center). Otherwise, the aircraft could tighten its turn, and if you are above corner speed that means it would be easy to inadvertently exceed the G limits and damage the airframe.

There's a quote I remember reading from a pilot who said he actually had to push the stick almost all the way forward to hold a turn, because the aircraft kept wanting to tighten up.

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I also think that the very light stick forces and (lack of) control harmonization should be modeled.

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by CaptainDoggles

There's a quote I remember reading from a pilot who said he actually had to push the stick almost all the way forward to hold a turn, because the aircraft kept wanting to tighten up.

I too have read such anecdotes, however the aircraft had to be returned to the factory for a new monocoque, as for some reason a batch of Spits had been produced out of shape.

Dangerous to trust pilot's anecdotes, as we keep being told.

Edit: Plus you'd be unconscious well before you endangered the airframe.