Recent content by gecko

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    Weather Minimums for Operations

    Strange to assume that because performance charts don't have the data I am interested in finding right now that I don't use them when I fly. Yes, you may use them to determine whether or not to launch, and they do take into account certain atmospheric conditions, but when somebody asks about...
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    Weather Minimums for Operations

    As a pilot and warbird enthusiast, I have read quite a few POHs, Pilots Notes, etc, and they don't give weather criteria, with the exception of maximum demonstrated crosswind, which is not considered a limitation. They give expected performance in different conditions. While interesting, it...
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    Weather Minimums for Operations

    Using MSL or AGL is going to result in some mental math, just depends on the situation. In modern aviation weather forecasts MSL is used for wide areas since our altimeters are set to MSL, and AGL cloud heights are very dependent on location. AGL is used for reporting cloud heights in the...
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    Weather Minimums for Operations

    Thanks for your response, that's interesting. I wasn't sure whether they would have used MSL or AGL for cloud heights. Where is your information from? I would love to see what else can be gleaned from that source. Per the original post, I'm interested in anything having to do with weather...
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    Weather Minimums for Operations

    I was recently reading about RAF Rhubarb operations, and saw that the minimum cloud ceiling was 2,000ft, later reduced to 1,500ft. This surprised me as I thought they would go in much worse weather. There's a war on after all. So now I'm curious what the weather minimums were for different...
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    Bf 109F Throttle/Airscrew control mode switch interconnect?

    Many thanks for your thorough replies, this is extremely helpful! Ok, this makes sense and is more in line with how I thought it should work. Assuming a good battery, switching to AUTO with the engine stopped will cause the system to run the prop to full fine at 1 0'clock. If the battery is...
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    Bf 109F Throttle/Airscrew control mode switch interconnect?

    Many thanks, I do have a number of questions about this system! So while my initial question about item "g" in the above illustration is answered, I have a lot more! A friend is helping me with the translation of the Bf 109F Bedeinungsvorschrift-Fl, and so far the VDM system is the hardest part...
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    Bf 109F Throttle/Airscrew control mode switch interconnect?

    Managed to find something in a maintenance manual I forgot I had:
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    Bf 109F Throttle/Airscrew control mode switch interconnect?

    Hi all, I am wondering if anyone knows anything about an interconnect device somewhere in the throttle control linkages which would automatically move the airscrew control mode switch below the throttle quadrant from manual to automatic when the throttle was pushed all the way forward. The...
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    "M" series Merlins

    There were definitely Mk.Vs with 6-stub exhausts. Good idea on the engine lookup, though I know the service histories are often incomplete or contain errors. JK314 - M50A https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire/RAF-352Sqn/pages/Spitfire-MkVcTrop-RAF-352Sqn-O-JK314-Yugoslavia-1945-01.html JL168 -...
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    "M" series Merlins

    I think I tend to agree. As I'm looking around it looks like it is a certainty that some M series used the 6-stub exhaust, and also a certainty that it wasn't all of them - at least some of the 45M's used the 3-stub fishtails. The more difficult questions seem to be whether ONLY M series or ONLY...
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    "M" series Merlins

    Thanks, the information about static FTH is extremely helpful! For the exhaust, does that source happen to mention which engines used the multi-ejector non-flame damping type?
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    "M" series Merlins

    No, that's not what I'm talking about. There are four types of exhaust manifold that you see on the Mk.V. The early ones had three simple round outlet stubs per side. Then the fishtail exhausts you describe came into use - still with three stubs per side. A later variant of these included a duct...
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    "M" series Merlins

    I've got more questions regarding the "M" Series Merlins - 45M, 50M, and 55M. Firstly, I'm a bit confused by the performance. Most sources seem to quote the rated altitude as 2,750ft, but I can't find what they are basing this on. The only chart for any of these variants that I have found is for...
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    Merlin 45M boost control

    So, effectively a Merlin 46 (performance wise) with the Bendix-Stromberg carb of the 50 series?
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