Is elliptical wing superior to the regular profile in term of aerodynamics?

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Change the business end of the stamping press.

p.s. The "business end of the press" molds cost >$250k for something as small as the plastic for your keyboard tray. New ones don't get machined overnight. If you are sending your existing one out for modification, production is down until you get new one back.

And existing stamping press might not be large/strong enough for new design.
 
p.s. The "business end of the press" molds cost >$250k for something as small as the plastic for your keyboard tray. New ones don't get machined overnight. If you are sending your existing one out for modification, production is down until you get new one back.

And existing stamping press might not be large/strong enough for new design.

Supermarine, as a part of Vickers, was not a mom-and-pop backyard workshop, but a regular supplier of aircraft.
1930s/40s Sterlings were a wee bit different than today's moonies.
 
As far as the effect of 'elliptical' is concerned, the Spitfire's wing was not aerodynamically ideal and even if it had been the effect is mostly seen in reduction of induced drag, so range and climb but not so much top speed. Top speed is where the thinness comes in, that's the bonus and the penalty is production man-hours. But 22,000 spitfires were built so how much of a problem was it really?

Spitfires in WW2 flew operational sorties with five different wingspans. I think the 109 may have managed four spans. A few others three. Flexibility or desperation? You decide.
 
Supermarine, as a part of Vickers, was not a mom-and-pop backyard workshop, but a regular supplier of aircraft.
1930s/40s Sterlings were a wee bit different than today's moonies.
What metal clad aircraft had Supermarine made in the 100s before the Spitfire? Heck, even include Vickers.

The ability to crank out a new mold with current CAD & CNC technology is also a wee bit different than 30s hand mills. And additive manufacturing is whole different level.
 
There is no requirement that we agree on everything.
I know, my point is basically that many use the retrospectoscope. There were a huge number of Spitfires and others made, but when the Spitfire was designed and first flew and ordered it was by no means certain that there would be a war or that if there was a war the Spitfire would be the RAFs front line fighter. There were only 750 Gloster Gladiators made. If you set up a factory to produce 20,000 Gladiators (or anything) and only produce 750, you go bankrupt.
 
Q-argue on ineternet.jpg
 

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