Fighter radius of action

[alejandro_]

Hello all

I am trying to make a summary of the principle fighters' radius of action. Ideally I would summarise the data as below. I have found a few but I am looking for more aircraft types, especially German and US Navy models.

When plotting these radiuses I assume there is a criterion. Is it the same in all countries? tipically its the distance which the fighter can reach and do a 15 minutes CAP.

 

[drgondog]

Interesting but to do this you have to ask a lot of questions.

Fundamental questions:

1.) specific fuel consumption for a.) take off - 2 minutes -
2.) and climb - 1st 15 minutes - while forming up and taking a heading at ~20,000 feet.

3.) specific fuel consumption for fast cruise to R/V point

4.) specific fuel consumption for 'essing' cruise speed while escorting.

5.) specific fuel consumption for WEP (i.e Merlin 1650-7 at ~240gph at 67" and 3000 rpm) for 5-15 minutes of combat.

6.) specific fuel consumption for let down and approach (plus 30 minutes reserve for bad weather)

2.) and 5.) essentially the same, 3.) maybe the same but possible to throttle back to max endurance cruise speed while essing over 150-160 IAS B-17s and B-24s, while ~220mph, 46" /2200 rpm gives best endurance at 18-20K for 1650- Packard Merlin (more boost and rpm at 28000 ft)

In other words you have to do a profile/flight plan to get your charts

 

[alejandro_]

In other words you have to do a profile/flight plan to get your charts

I was looking for estimates rather than the exact radius. Maybe in some manuals there are some indications on this parameter and its variation with different configurations.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I was looking for estimates rather than the exact radius. Maybe in some manuals there are some indications on this parameter and its variation with different configurations.

RAF used the following allocations for its SE fighters:

5 minutes at Take-off power
2 minutes at climb
5 minutes at combat power (full power)
15 minutes at high speed cruise
Remainder at economical cruise
20% reserve

The RAF's standard radius of action was about 40% of still air cruising range on internal fuel. With tanks this changes by a few percent, as aircraft are expected to spend more time at efficient cruise speeds.

So, a Mk IX with a 450 mile still air cruising radius would have a combat radius of approximately 180 miles. With a 30 gal tank about 240 miles, with a 45 gal tank about 275 miles.

 

[drgondog]

I was looking for estimates rather than the exact radius. Maybe in some manuals there are some indications on this parameter and its variation with different configurations.

The USAAF/USN manuals do have the 'basic' plan which includes take off/landing and cruise, with reserves.

 

[alejandro_]

The USAAF/USN manuals do have the 'basic' plan which includes take off/landing and cruise, with reserves.

Indeed, but there is no mention on radius in a typical escort mission. I have just check P-47 and Thunderbolt, both giving similar parameters: range based on settings.

Pilot's Notes - Spitfire V Seafire I-II-III

Maybe its probably better to get the range.

 

[drgondog]

Indeed, but there is no mention on radius in a typical escort mission. I have just check P-47 and Thunderbolt, both giving similar parameters: range based on settings.

Pilot's Notes - Spitfire V Seafire I-II-III

Maybe its probably better to get the range.

The reason manuals aren't explicit is that mission profiles aren't the same.