V1 wings- why different lengths?

[Peter Garwood]

Edited Correction!! What I meant to say was why is there a size difference on the spoilers on the elevator of the V1? The left hand spoiler looking forward is twice the size of the spoiler on the right? Now what would this induce in flight? would it make the craft deviate to one side or fly in a steady curve to one side?
Any ideas considered!!

Incorrect question was: Can anyone explain with logic why the V1 had two different sizes of wing?
When comparing the wings it is of note that one was longer than the other...what was the avaiation science behind this?

Peter

 

[CliffyB]

Only thing I can think of is maybe the thing inherently drifted to one side or the other so they extended one of the wings to counter it? Just a stab in the dark. Lemme know if you ever figure it out man.

 

[Matt308]

You mean the ailerons? Can you provide a visual?

 

[Dolpho]

The Ersatzteilliste V1 shows no big difference betwen the right and left elevator

 

[Matt308]

Christ that is a big picture. And I was hoping the original questioner would post a pic and not another forum member post a pic of a model.

Either that or the "buzz bomb" had the most robust aileron screw and lock washer ever constructed.

 

[Micdrow]

I reduced the picture sizes for easier viewing.

 

[Micdrow]

There are some manuals located here on the V-1 that might help.

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/weapons-systems-tech/v-1-buzz-bomb-7157.html

 

[Matt308]

Thanks, Micdrow.

Without further visual from Peter, I have to assume that his assumption about assymetric ailerons are wrong. The buzz bomb has no spoilers.

 

[XBe02Drvr]

Thanks, Micdrow.

Without further visual from Peter, I have to assume that his assumption about assymetric ailerons are wrong. The buzz bomb has no spoilers.

Not only no spoilers but also no ailerons, either, according to the drawings. Rudder only for steering, like the old single channel RC models. The rudder steering method only allowed very gradual heading changes and was easily upset. Fighter pilots intercepting V1s found they could upset them with wake turbulence or a wingtip vortice, which was sometimes safer than blowing them up at close range with gunfire.
Cheers
Wes

 

[Hugh_T]

The V1 does indeed have different-sized spoilers under the elevator. The left side is larger than the right. When deployed, I suspect this will cause the V1 to yaw to the left, inducing a spin as the V1 plummets to earth. I have attached an image showing the same type of spoilers on the Republic JB2 (V1 clone) and also a clip from the V1 manual showing one of the spoilers marked as "A".

 

[SaparotRob]

The V1 does indeed have different-sized spoilers under the elevator. The left side is larger than the right. When deployed, I suspect this will cause the V1 to yaw to the left, inducing a spin as the V1 plummets to earth. I have attached an image showing the same type of spoilers on the Republic JB2 (V1 clone) and also a clip from the V1 manual showing one of the spoilers marked as "A".
View attachment 813847View attachment 813848

My iPhone only allows "like". That's as close as I can get to "informative".

 

[Greyman]

The V1 does indeed have different-sized spoilers under the elevator. The left side is larger than the right. When deployed, I suspect this will cause the V1 to yaw to the left, inducing a spin as the V1 plummets to earth. I have attached an image showing the same type of spoilers on the Republic JB2 (V1 clone) and also a clip from the V1 manual showing one of the spoilers marked as "A".

For what it's worth -

Air Intelligence, June '44:
"The release of the spring-loaded lever also frees two small hinged plates beneath the lower surface of the tailplane. One of these plates is larger than the other so that a definite bias is imparted to the aircraft in its terminal dive. The precise object of this arrangement has not been determined, but the plates obviously have some dive-breaking effect in addition to diverting the aircraft in its dive."

RAE, August '44:
"It is not clear why the flaps on port and starboard sides are of different areas. The difference in areas is very small, and the resulting moment is estimated to give a rate of roll of the order of 1 degree/second. The drag difference will give a rate of yaw, but this is also very small."

 

[Hugh_T]

For what it's worth -

Air Intelligence, June '44:
"The release of the spring-loaded lever also frees two small hinged plates beneath the lower surface of the tailplane. One of these plates is larger than the other so that a definite bias is imparted to the aircraft in its terminal dive. The precise object of this arrangement has not been determined, but the plates obviously have some dive-breaking effect in addition to diverting the aircraft in its dive."

RAE, August '44:
"It is not clear why the flaps on port and starboard sides are of different areas. The difference in areas is very small, and the resulting moment is estimated to give a rate of roll of the order of 1 degree/second. The drag difference will give a rate of yaw, but this is also very small."

This is very interesting, thank you.

For some context, I did some rough calcs and the surface area of the Left spoiler is 11140 mm2 and the Right is 7015 mm2.

 

[SaparotRob]

Is the offset spoiler set up to impart spin to the dive?

 

[Spits2]

No just to invert it as far as I know and seen in archival footage.