Spitfire supposed to dive better than the 109?

[Fenrir]

Spitfire was known to have high Mach no., bout the .92 (from memory, don't flme if I'm wrong!). The 109 likely does not have such high an ultimate dive speed - where your advantage is, or more precisely should be in dive acceleration; you can bunt and initially outdistance a Spitfire in a 109 but given enough altitude I'd expect the Spitfire to gain eventually.

Also remember the Flight Models are still a work in progress - could be worth testing and taking to the Dev Team.

[IvanK]

Originally Posted by Fenrir

Spitfire was known to have high Mach no., bout the .92 (from memory, don't flme if I'm wrong!). The 109 likely does not have such high an ultimate dive speed - where your advantage is, or more precisely should be in dive acceleration; you can bunt and initially outdistance a Spitfire in a 109 but given enough altitude I'd expect the Spitfire to gain eventually.

Also remember the Flight Models are still a work in progress - could be worth testing and taking to the Dev Team.

Dont think we can ever get high enough in CLOD at present to get into Mach number territory

[Glider]

I wouldn't set too much store in the 0.92 Mach no. It was reached but it was a test pilot and the machine basically fell apart around him, the prop came off, the engine almost fell out.

Mind you the wings stayed on

[CaptainDoggles]

Originally Posted by Glider

I wouldn't set too much store in the 0.92 Mach no. It was reached but it was a test pilot and the machine basically fell apart around him, the prop came off, the engine almost fell out.

Mind you the wings stayed on

0.89 is the figure I recall seeing quoted as a "typical" dive. Also IIRC in that particular test, the wings stayed on but were bent backwards (i.e. the structure failed).

[bw_wolverine]

Originally Posted by CaptainDoggles

0.89 is the figure I recall seeing quoted as a "typical" dive. Also IIRC in that particular test, the wings stayed on but were bent backwards (i.e. the structure failed).

Wow. A pilot actually did this test? Did he have to bail out? Surely, he must have.

Was it part of the test or just a 'test' that came out of an accident?

Very cool nevertheless!

[CaptainDoggles]

Originally Posted by bw_wolverine

Wow. A pilot actually did this test? Did he have to bail out? Surely, he must have.

Was it part of the test or just a 'test' that came out of an accident?

Very cool nevertheless!

Yep, it was an actual test. They started from 40 000 feet.

[bw_wolverine]

Originally Posted by CaptainDoggles

Yep, it was an actual test. They started from 40 000 feet.

I wonder how many forms the pilot had to sign before that one!

[Baron]

Originally Posted by bw_wolverine

Wow. A pilot actually did this test? Did he have to bail out? Surely, he must have.

Was it part of the test or just a 'test' that came out of an accident?

Very cool nevertheless!

I remember reading Pierre Clostermans biography about such an event where he and his wingman (iirc) chased down a high alt recognisances ac. (Do17?) where both spits was condemned after the mission. Wings bent, aluminium sheeting all wrinkled. I seem to remember them both got nose bleeds from the sheer speed and the resulting manoeuvres getting out of the dive. Intresting though, is the fact that the recon must have reach similar speeds before being shot down (not falling apart into a torpedo).

Fast indeed, but everything is relative. Like, can i park the plane afterwards without the wings falling of.


Not sure if i remember everything exactly to the letter but the essence is there.

[senseispcc]

.
Do also remember that the first Spitfire did have fabric covered control surfaces how where dangerous in a dive.

[whoarmongar]

Clostermann and his wingman Ian Blair in Spitfire VII`s (high altitude presure cabins extended wingtips) intercepted a german aircraft that Clostermann reported as a Me 109G with aux fuel tanks under the wings at 43000 ft.
Faced with two Spits ahead and about 1000 ft above him the 109 rolled onto his back and dived straight towards the sea, with the Spits about 1/2 mile behind and following him straight down.
At 27000 ft Closters A.S indicator showed 440 mph and he needed both hands on the stick and to lean into the controls with all his strength to keep the aircraft in a straight line.
The controls were jammed @10000 ft Ian Blair closed to within 600 yds of the !09 and opened fire a short burst. The Me109G tore in half a wing tore off and the aircraft exploded.
Pulling back on the stick wasnt pulling the Spit out of its dive so he gave the trimmer a full turn back , the G force crumpled him, the whole aircraft creaked and groaned and the momentum had carried him up to 13000 feet.