GregP
Major
In another forum, we had a discussion of the Hispano Ha.1112 we are restoring to flight status. In that discussion, I talked about the fact that the Hispano Ha.1112 Buchon is basically a Bf 109 G-2 with a couple of minor changes. One of those changes is the fact that the vertical fin is airfoiled for a Hispano-Suiza engine which turns the other direction from a Merlin. As a result, the fin accentuates the takeoff swing and we are basically operating largely, but not exclusively, from pavement these days. So, the Ha.1112 swings badly on takeoff if you aren't VERY careful.
I had read in a reference that the Bf 109 vertical fin was not airfoiled until the Bf 109 F model. One of the other forum gurus, Kutscha to be exact, found a drawing that suggested the Bf 109 E vertical fin was airfoiled. As it happens, we HAVE a Bf 109 E that was raised from the bottom of a Russian lake after being shot down there in the war, but I had never looked at the vertical fin. I checked because of Kutscha's drawing, and the vertical fin is airfoiled in the direction for a DB-600 series, which turns the same direction as the Merlin.
So, the bottom line is the Bf 109 vertical fin was airfoiled at least from the E series forward. So, it lifts to the left to counteract DB torque and the Buchon lifts to the right to counteract Hispano-Suiza torque ... whether or not you have a H-S engine actually installed.
I have no access to any earlier Bf 109 series airframes to check if this was done any earlier (Bf 109 A, B, C, or D), but think not since most of the references say it wasn't done until later in the series development.
Just FYI. It surprised me simply because of a reference or two that say otherwise, and now makes me wonder about references in general. How well-researched WERE they?
I had read in a reference that the Bf 109 vertical fin was not airfoiled until the Bf 109 F model. One of the other forum gurus, Kutscha to be exact, found a drawing that suggested the Bf 109 E vertical fin was airfoiled. As it happens, we HAVE a Bf 109 E that was raised from the bottom of a Russian lake after being shot down there in the war, but I had never looked at the vertical fin. I checked because of Kutscha's drawing, and the vertical fin is airfoiled in the direction for a DB-600 series, which turns the same direction as the Merlin.
So, the bottom line is the Bf 109 vertical fin was airfoiled at least from the E series forward. So, it lifts to the left to counteract DB torque and the Buchon lifts to the right to counteract Hispano-Suiza torque ... whether or not you have a H-S engine actually installed.
I have no access to any earlier Bf 109 series airframes to check if this was done any earlier (Bf 109 A, B, C, or D), but think not since most of the references say it wasn't done until later in the series development.
Just FYI. It surprised me simply because of a reference or two that say otherwise, and now makes me wonder about references in general. How well-researched WERE they?
