GregP
Major
I have found similar statements and anecdotes, all saying the Corsair could out-roll most other fighters, but never recall seeing it go up against an Fw 190. I am also under the impression the Fw 190 was a VERY good roller until it hit higher speeds, at which time some Allied fighters could stay with or even surpass it. Notably, the P-40 seems to have been a better roller than most other U.S. aircraft. I have seen one memo on the roll capability of the P-40Q, but have not been able to locate it again, and have never seen a roll performance chart for it.
Most aerobatic aircraft have aerodynamic "tricks" that make them have an abrupt stall when some pre-determined angle of attack is reached, and big rudders and elevators to generate crisp snap rolls. But the intent is to generate a rapid snap (flick) roll at relatively low speeds. You don't snap-roll an Su-31 at high speed! An Extra 300 snap rolls at 80 - 140 knots and it is stressed higher than a WWII fighter. I think it is likely that most WWII fighters CAN snap roll at under 100 mph, but the designers know that in the fog of combat, nobody will listen to the airspeed restrictions for a snap roll, so they placard them to be safe.
I'd bet a P-51 could snap-roll at 90 mph without bending, but perhaps not at 180 mph. The issue with the P-51 is whether or not the pilot could un-stall it at a predetermined point, or would he go into the famous 10,000 foot spin. A LOT might depend on the load being carried, the location of the weight, and the power level being carried at the time.
Several combat reports from Navy F6F Hellcats mention snap-rolls or partial snap rolls (vertical reverse) as combat maneuvers. Not too sure if that was approved or just necessary at the time. My copy of the F6F-3 POH does not mention snap rolls at all, but gives instructions for spin recovery from as many as 4 turns in either direction.
Most aerobatic aircraft have aerodynamic "tricks" that make them have an abrupt stall when some pre-determined angle of attack is reached, and big rudders and elevators to generate crisp snap rolls. But the intent is to generate a rapid snap (flick) roll at relatively low speeds. You don't snap-roll an Su-31 at high speed! An Extra 300 snap rolls at 80 - 140 knots and it is stressed higher than a WWII fighter. I think it is likely that most WWII fighters CAN snap roll at under 100 mph, but the designers know that in the fog of combat, nobody will listen to the airspeed restrictions for a snap roll, so they placard them to be safe.
I'd bet a P-51 could snap-roll at 90 mph without bending, but perhaps not at 180 mph. The issue with the P-51 is whether or not the pilot could un-stall it at a predetermined point, or would he go into the famous 10,000 foot spin. A LOT might depend on the load being carried, the location of the weight, and the power level being carried at the time.
Several combat reports from Navy F6F Hellcats mention snap-rolls or partial snap rolls (vertical reverse) as combat maneuvers. Not too sure if that was approved or just necessary at the time. My copy of the F6F-3 POH does not mention snap rolls at all, but gives instructions for spin recovery from as many as 4 turns in either direction.
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