michael rauls
Tech Sergeant
- 1,679
- Jul 15, 2016
Yes that is why I was thinking lengthening the fuselage at the rear might have a fairly substantial counterbalancing effect dispite only adding a little weight, the further back the tail is the more counterbalancing lever affect.It is all about movement arms, think kids teeter-totter/see-saw ride. the further away from the CG the more effect the same weight has.
And any added weight as ballast affects climb and turn and landing (stall) speed.
This also might have the added benefit of making the p40 more stable. From the pilot quotes I've read it seems that the p40 got more docile handling characteristics as they lengthened the aft fuselage. I suppose at some point however there is a limit how much lengthening can be done before it becomes detrimental to handling instead of beneficial.