GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Or, to appear to have superior internet intellect that is indisputable among the unwashed:
FACT !!
FACT !!
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Or "arguing " about a certain airplane code named "The Groundhog"…Or, to appear to have superior internet intellect that is indisputable among the unwashed:
FACT !!
That particular thread was "interesting", to say the least.Or "arguing " about a certain airplane code named "The Groundhog"…
Plus redundant AND repetitive…That particular thread was "interesting", to say the least.
FACT!!Plus redundant AND repetitive…
There is the further issue that elliptical wings have complex 3D curves that would make it very difficult to achieve a sufficiently accurate profile needed to make an effective laminar flow wing.How many are you making? What is technology available to you (airfoil, structure and construction)? What is your work force skilled at? How much space do I have to work in?
Aside questions: How much power do you have? What is the plane to be used for?
If I'm only building 100 Hurricane/year over next 3 years, my work force is skilled at building up airfoils using little wood pieces and Hurricane will be replaced by Tornado/Typhoon by year 4, one type of construction might be cheaper.
If I'm making 1,000 Mustangs/year for next 5 years, my work force is skilled at stamping sheet metal, and I have the whole back 40 in beautiful California sun, then another would be cheaper.
There is the further issue that elliptical wings have complex 3D curves that would make it very difficult to achieve a sufficiently accurate profile needed to make an effective laminar flow wing.
In fact truth is stranger than fiction. The Hurricane had two wings. The first type was little changed from the bi plane era and covered with fabric and dope. This allowed the hurricane to be produced and pilots trained, squadrons expanded while Hawkers worked on making a stressed skin wing which was then quickly fitted to all Hurricanes in the field.How many are you making? What is technology available to you (airfoil, structure and construction)? What is your work force skilled at? How much space do I have to work in?
Aside questions: How much power do you have? What is the plane to be used for?
If I'm only building 100 Hurricane/year over next 3 years, my work force is skilled at building up airfoils using little wood pieces and Hurricane will be replaced by Tornado/Typhoon by year 4, one type of construction might be cheaper.
If I'm making 1,000 Mustangs/year for next 5 years, my work force is skilled at stamping sheet metal, and I have the whole back 40 in beautiful California sun, then another would be cheaper.
And let's not forget the Hillson FH.40 Hurricane.In fact truth is stranger than fiction. The Hurricane had two wings. The first type was little changed from the bi plane era and covered with fabric and dope. This allowed the hurricane to be produced and pilots trained, squadrons expanded while Hawkers worked on making a stressed skin wing which was then quickly fitted to all Hurricanes in the field.
Was any idea too daft to try just the once?And let's not forget the Hillson FH.40 Hurricane.
I would pretty much doubt 'pennies to the airframe' of tooling, fabricating, and QA for a curved trailing edge and non linear changes in rib chords - as compared to straight taper - then complicate the process once again, building multiple wing designs across several plants.Pennies per airframe difference: the jigs and molds would be slightly more for elliptical planform and there would be slightly more waste (aluminium comes in rectangular sheets or roll)
As P pbehn notes: Spitfire's wing is expensive because is: a. complicated, b. elliptical & c. constantly changing. A & C are the cost killers. But that complicate spar allowed the Spitifre Mk. 1 to be light enough for a Merlin E, yet able to be strengthened for a Seafire 47.
The marginal gain in performance was more than offset by the PITA of manufacturing.
Supermarine went to a regular wing for the Spitfires successor.
No it isn't! That adds to the total coefficient of disagreement, doesn't it?That isnt discussion, it is just a series of contradictions.