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Smokey said:I heard that the Bearcat had explosive bolts on it wings so that it could blow of its outer wing panels to increase roll rate in a dogfight. Is this true?
Was it a secret weapon system designed to fling pieces of wing at the opposing aircraft?
Smokey said:I heard that the Bearcat had explosive bolts on it wings so that it could blow of its outer wing panels to increase roll rate in a dogfight. Is this true?
Was it a secret weapon system designed to fling pieces of wing at the opposing aircraft?
RG_Lunatic said:Not exactly. This system was also on some of the earlier Corsairs, but was removed. I suspect it was on the Bearcat as well.
The idea was that if stress in a dive became too high the outer wing panels could be shed rather than having the wings tear off. It was a stupid idea and I think it was removed on both Bearcat and Corsair service aircraft.
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Lunatic
KraziKanuK said:That's sort of correct, the Corsair had the outer wing skin fabric rip away, thus easing the strain on the wing., , ,
So breakaway a section at the tip was found to be of no use in 1940, yet Grumman put them on the F8F a few years later. Sure whatever you say.RG_Lunatic said:KraziKanuK said:That's sort of correct, the Corsair had the outer wing skin fabric rip away, thus easing the strain on the wing., , ,
Double check that KK, I think you will find it had break away panels, originally w/o explosive bolts. The problem was that in some hard turning manuvers one panel could break away but the other would not. But it was the whole section, not just the fabric (which only covers the part of the wing rear of the spar).
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Lunatic
KraziKanuK said:So breakaway a section at the tip was found to be of no use in 1940, yet Grumman put them on the F8F a few years later. Sure whatever you say.RG_Lunatic said:KraziKanuK said:That's sort of correct, the Corsair had the outer wing skin fabric rip away, thus easing the strain on the wing., , ,
Double check that KK, I think you will find it had break away panels, originally w/o explosive bolts. The problem was that in some hard turning manuvers one panel could break away but the other would not. But it was the whole section, not just the fabric (which only covers the part of the wing rear of the spar).
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LunaticI hope the port tip is not lost since the pilot will have lost his pitot tube.
Such a novel feature would be mentioned, for sure, but never is in any description of the F4U prototype.
RG_Lunatic said:Perhaps I'm mistaken. In any case it was a stupid idea!
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Lunatic
Would it take a Spitfire Mk21 or 22 any day?the bearcat would take the spit anyday more power more aerodynamic and even though the guns arent as good its still better
yes it would it would sherd a spitWould it take a Spitfire Mk21 or 22 any day?
Is this based on colour scheme or does actual performance matter?yes it would it would sherd a spit
the bearcat is just betterIs this based on colour scheme or does actual performance matter?
In a sort of bluey Bearcatty sort of a way?the bearcat is just better
no in a higher performecne wayIn a sort of bluey Bearcatty sort of a way?
How was the maximum altitude performance BTW?no in a higher performecne way
At 35,000ft?better because of the high hp pratt