Aerodynamically speaking F4U, Mustang

[Timppa]

The Corsair, I believe, was not to be intentionally spun.

How many fighter airplanes was allowed to intentionally spun ?

From a NASA report:

 

[drgondog]

How many fighter airplanes was allowed to intentionally spun ?

From a NASA report:

None.

As to spin recovery - with the technology of the 40's any thought to rudder design focus for spin recovery was limited.

Spin recovery procedures throughly documented in flight test but I am not aware of any US fighter whose rudder was redesigned to 'fix' spin. Certainly not the P-39, P-51 or F4U or even F7F.

The F7F had particularly nasty spin recovery issues and the designe approach was targeted toward dive brake underwing as an example rather than VS,

 

[davparlr]

The F7F had particularly nasty spin recovery issues and the designe approach was targeted toward dive brake underwing as an example rather than VS,

Huh, I would have thought that asymetic thrust would provide some aid in stopping a spin. Of course, I have no multiengine spin experience since we tried not to spin the C-141 !

 

[MikeGazdik]

I believe I read the same thing in one of Corky Meyer's articles. The spin recovery was not good at all in the Tigercat. I would guess all that inertia out on the wings, 2,800 cubic inches of inertia on each side!!

 

[drgondog]

Huh, I would have thought that asymetic thrust would provide some aid in stopping a spin. Of course, I have no multiengine spin experience since we tried not to spin the C-141 !

Dave - The flight test reports on the stall characteristics of the F7F were 'interesting' and 'unkind'.. I'll have to go look but there was a certain threshold count at which time the pilot was advised to part company with the a/c that was speeding to the crash scene.

 

[Amsel]

P-51 pilots described that the vertical elevator was very difficult to move in high speeds and required both hands.

 

[drgondog]

P-51 pilots described that the vertical elevator was very difficult to move in high speeds and required both hands.

It was stiff > 400mph but stick forces requiring both hands implies >.8M dive..and a good thing it was 'stiff' at those speeds - otherwise visualize a cloud of debris all about your head and shoulders as the airplane falls apart with 'light elevator/stick loads' at very high "Q" loads.