Aviation myths that will not die

Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules

wuzak said:
Are they like the winglets of the current MotoGP bikes?

http://d2d0b2rxqzh1q5.cloudfront.net/sv/3.65/dir/8a8/image/8a8984e3ab33feed077db5b24786c181.jpg
Click to expand...
Exactly, Sheens liked a short wheelbase fast steering bike but this makes it unstable at high speed, the slats mouldings winglets whatever you call them are to hold the front end down at high speed.

Times change, Sheens bike had about 120/140 BHP now MotoGP bikes are 200+BHP they actually spend a short period of time with any weight on the front wheel.
 
I know about the electronics suite, the previously mentioned ACU champion (his name is Mick Crick)was involved in it and slick shifters for the Petronas team when Moto GP first started.. Pat Hennen is a name from my youth, a tragic loss to racing.
 
The claim b-17s being the main killer of LW fighters......it will be bogus but we can rely on any amount of conspiracy theorist like explanations to try and convince us.
 
I agree that it was a dollar short, being somewhat slower than other V-1 interceptors at the requisite altitude.

We should be careful how we judge it too late. We have the benefit of hindsight and know that the last launch sites and territory within range of London would be overrun around the same time that the M series arrived in Europe (operational might be another issue), but those developing the aircraft did not. It was too late, but how could that have been known at the time?

Cheers

Steve
 
True, and as I said, I don't believe the M series was developed with V-1 interception in mind, it was optimised for a different role. I don't think that would have stopped it being promoted as a potential V-1 interceptor in mid 1944.
Cheers
Steve
 
Ditching a Hawker Hurricane? Not advised. The last paragraph of advice in the notes, assuming no alternative, hardly inspires confidence.

"When about to touch the water a normal banked turn, with full rudder, should be made so as to prevent 'hooking' the radiator into the water.'

Good luck with that!

Cheers

Steve
 
fastmongrel said:
Was there any single engined bird that was safe to ditch, they all have scoops a prop and a big metal weight at the front.
Click to expand...
Most of your USN types were capable of a relatively "smooth" ditching (if there is such a thing) over Army types.

The other advantage of the Navy's aircraft over the Army's, is that they had relatively better buoyancy, allowing for better escape where as the Army types seemed to sink before they touched the water!

One of the reasons a Navy type would set down better in the water than the Army's, is because thier Radial engined airframes lacked the coolers that tended to act like an arrestor.

Of course, this is assuming that conditions were perfect, like smooth seas, controllable aircraft, proper approach (slight nose-up attitude, gentle descent) and being in good physical condition to affect such a landing.
 
The Pilots' Notes for all the British singles which I have read discourage ditching in favour of abandoning the aircraft by parachute. This includes some FAA types. The one for which I don't have notes and am curious to know about is the Fairey Swordfish. Apart from the fixed undercarriage it doesn't look too bad.
Cheers
Steve
 
stona said:
The Pilots' Notes for all the British singles which I have read discourage ditching in favour of abandoning the aircraft by parachute. This includes some FAA types.
Click to expand...

Barracuda is comparatively rosy;

It should be possible to ditch the Barracuda successfully, though the landing will probably be unpleasant, as the latter half of the ditching will be made with the forward part of the aircraft covered with green water and heavy spray. ... The deceleration of the aircraft, when ditched, will be similar to that experienced when the aircraft is deck-arrested on the wires.
 
Ditching a Barracuda definitely improved the aesthetics of the rest of the sky. People would smile and women would sing. Food would go on sale.

If ever there was an ugly aircraft, the Barracuda was one of them. Not the ONLY one, of course. One of the worst of the lot has to be the LWS-6 Zubr.



It had Jay Leno's chin, which isn't too bad on Jay, but is the pits for an airplane. Conversely, it might be Jimmy Durante's nose instead.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Similar threads

D
What aircraft is that plane and which nation? Not Germnay for sure.
Replies
6
Views
593
pb43
P
N
OS2U-3 Kingfisher that rescued Rickenbacker - need the Bureau Number
Replies
2
Views
662
NNAM
N
Z
Weather limitations in carrier aviation in the interwar and WWII eras
5 6 7
Replies
126
Views
9K
RCAFson
R
A query I sent to my Midwest aviation gang - WWII bomber growth
Replies
0
Views
605
fannum
the invention of the turbojet. A letter that changed history
2
Replies
25
Views
3K
Shortround6
S
Menu
Log in
Register