Most of the ww2 aircraft have had those, mostly from one to three. While being very useful to carry drop tanks or bombs, they imposed some performance penalty. Eg. the P-51C and earlier were slowed down 12 mph by their 2 racks, in the P-51D and later it was only 4 mph through use of modified (and smaller) racks. Any definitive data for other A/C?
Racks - how big was the speed penalty?
- Thread starter tomo pauk
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drgondog
Major
Tomo - I have seen 10mph for P-51D/H racks, what is your source for 4mph?
Also, the P-51B/C racks were stressed for 500# bomb/75 gallon fuel tank - but D/K/H stressed for 1000# bomb/150 gallon ferry tank. As an 'old structures guy I wonder how a rack that has double the load carrying capability could have a six to 8mph reduction in drag..
Also, the P-51B/C racks were stressed for 500# bomb/75 gallon fuel tank - but D/K/H stressed for 1000# bomb/150 gallon ferry tank. As an 'old structures guy I wonder how a rack that has double the load carrying capability could have a six to 8mph reduction in drag..
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- #3
Typhoon was about 20 mph for bomb racks
Typhoon was about 12 mph for rocket rails (Mk.III rails)
Hurricane was about 25 mph for rocket rails (I assume Mk.I rails)
Kittyhawk was about 12 mph for centre bomb rack
Junkers 88 was about 5 mph for bomb racks
Typhoon was about 12 mph for rocket rails (Mk.III rails)
Hurricane was about 25 mph for rocket rails (I assume Mk.I rails)
Kittyhawk was about 12 mph for centre bomb rack
Junkers 88 was about 5 mph for bomb racks
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Lucky13
Forum Mascot
Sorry, was thinking about a slightly different set of racks....
*shuts the door on the way out...*
*shuts the door on the way out...*
drgondog
Major
Good find Tomo - first Time I ever noticed the note. Helluva drag difference between 4 and 12 mph
davebender
1st Lieutenant
I think aircraft size and aerodynamic cleanness matters. A small and aerodynamically slippery aircraft such as Spitfire or Me-109 would probably suffer a significant drag penalty by carrying a drop tank. However external racks would be a drop in the aerodynamic bucket for a B-17 bomber.
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- #9
Just want a confirmation - only 4 mph for four racks?
- Thread starter
- #11
Rest assured I'd love to see the tests
Re. P-51s: not sure if this is any proof - but it seems like the braces were permanently attached to the racks of the P-51B (and A, and C?), whle they would be detached by the design used on the P-51D?
P-51B: http://hsfeatures.com/images/p51bks_8.jpg
P-51D: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/P-51D.jpg
Of course, I'd like to ask again our members that are more into modeling to chime in
added: P-51B, seems like in historic trim: http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/7/0/3/1576307.jpg
added2: P-51D: http://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/p-51-mustang/north-american-aviation-p-51d-mustang-at-dallas/
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CobberKane
Banned
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- Apr 4, 2012
I knew a girl like that once. Tragic story - she stood up on the back of a pick-up truck and beat herself to death.
Ah, the sights and sounds of the good old CNE.
Glider
Captain
Personally I have forgotten what I was going to say
Crimea_River
Marshal
Wow, a record 11 posts before the obvious diversion.
GregP
Major
12 now ... and counting .... er ... 2.
CobberKane
Banned
- 706
- Apr 4, 2012
I am disappointed at the infantile tone adopted by some people on this forum who should know better. I suggest that all like-minded contributors switch to my soon-to-be posted thread concerning the RAFs reaction to the first P-47 squadrons to arrive in the UK, tentatively titled: "British pilots amazed by massive American Jugs"...
