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Absolute best performance isn't top speed either, top speed is just one measure. The Spitfire Mk II was slightly slower than the MkI because that's what the RAF wanted, or rather they would sacrifice a few MPH on top speed to have an all around better aircraft.Get real. Nobody ever gets the absolute best performance ever recorded for an airplane in normal use, especially after a few months outside in the environment. There is nothing wrong with the Wright field tests. Just your determinination to use the lightweight WER Wright Field test results as normal for the P-39N, which they weren't.
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As long as we're off thread, Sherman "Firefly" rules.
The prototype was tested as the "Rotabuggy"
How about early development and adoption of three blade, variable pitch props for the Spitfire and Hurricane? This may get us to an earlier Sea Hurricane, for starters.
We discussed in another thread VP props to get the Sea Hurricane into earlier service.Expand above.
If you're going to put all the effort and weight into converting to a variable pitch propeller it's silly to not replace the actuating oil selector valve with a governor and have a full constant speed propeller system.We discussed in another thread VP props to get the Sea Hurricane into earlier service.
Earlier/better/more Sea Hurricane: pros cons
Keeping the early Hurricane's lower power Merlin, would this get a Sea Hurricane, especially one with the added weight of folding wings off a carrier's 500-600ft flight deck with 25-40 knots WOD? AIUI, the original fixed, two blade Hurricanes with the early Merlin would have been challenged to get off the deck, especially with the folding mechanism.For the ten to fifteen pound penalty of a governor, your variable pitch two position propeller can become constant speed and will hold whatever RPM you set it at, regardless of aerodynamic loads and throttle setting.
Did the See Hurricane ever have folding wings?Keeping the early Hurricane's lower power Merlin, would this get a Sea Hurricane, especially one with the added weight of folding wings off a carrier's 500-600ft flight deck with 25-40 knots WOD? AIUI, the original fixed, two blade Hurricanes with the early Merlin would have been challenged to get off the deck, especially with the folding mechanism.
No, but it was probably the easiest of all the RAF's fighters to modify for them. Just need to install a hinge where the wing snaps on. This is why I want to improve the Hurricane, so that we can gain the ability to operate from carriers with narrow 22-25 ft wide lifts, like Ark Royal and Illustrious, but in 1939, not 1942 when folding Martlets, Fulmars and (eventually) Seafires canceled the need for a folding Sea Hurricane.Did the See Hurricane ever have folding wings?
More blades will usually convert the same horsepower into more thrust at lower speeds, while fewer blades are usually more efficient at the top end. A fixed pitch "climb" prop (or a VP prop at max fine position) is generally set for just a little shy of its optimum pitch in an attempt to give the engine a little protection from over revving as the aircraft accelerates. The same thing occurs in reverse at the top end, also for over rev reasons.Keeping the early Hurricane's lower power Merlin, would this get a Sea Hurricane, especially one with the added weight of folding wings off a carrier's 500-600ft flight deck with 25-40 knots WOD? AIUI, the original fixed, two blade Hurricanes with the early Merlin would have been challenged to get off the deck, especially with the folding mechanism.
Now that would have been more than handyWhile we're at it.... I want the Sabre engine made reliable earlier, so I can have this....
View attachment 610196
The Sabre was never reliable, it became less than chronically unreliable after many years.While we're at it.... I want the Sabre engine made reliable earlier, so I can have this....
View attachment 610196
While we're at it.... I want the Sabre engine made reliable earlier, so I can have this....
If you're going to put all the effort and weight into converting to a variable pitch propeller it's silly to not replace the actuating oil selector valve with a governor and have a full constant speed propeller system.
NIH Syndrome? "Bloody colonials, going gadget-happy on us again! And make us pay through the nose for the privilege! That's one gadget we can do without."Yup, that Woodward C/S governor was readily available too. If only it could be built under licence, like, say, Hamilton Standard props by de Havilland... Wait a minute...
It's bad enough we have to fly monoplanes and have wheels with brakes, now they want us to have those heavy, expensive bloody variable pitch propellers too.NIH Syndrome? "Bloody colonials, going gadget-happy on us again! And make us pay through the nose for the privilege! That's one gadget we can do without."