WWII A/C: Maximum Mach Number & Airspeed in Dives

[stan reid]

It has been claimed that Captain Thomas Mantell's P-51 exceeded mach 1 in his power on dive after encountering the UFO. Speculation I believe and, even if he did, he didn't pull out.

 

[drgondog]

It has been claimed that Captain Thomas Mantell's P-51 exceeded mach 1 in his power on dive after encountering the UFO. Speculation I believe and, even if he did, he didn't pull out.

Not possible - the Mustangs wings would have failed well below M=1

 

[Zipper730]

The placard speed is the maximum 'safe speed'.

0.80 to 0.84M is NOT a safe speed...

I understood what you said I merely expressed that I was under a misguided impression.

BTW: Just to be clear the P-51D and P-51H have the same placard speed limits?

 

[drgondog]

I understood what you said I merely expressed that I was under a misguided impression.

BTW: Just to be clear the P-51D and P-51H have the same placard speed limits?

Zipper - do not recall, but vaguely remember a higher placard speed for the P-51H.

 

[Zipper730]

drgondog,

Was the E-wing cross-sectionally different than the A/B/C/D wings? If so, did it have a higher placard and structural limit?

 

[drgondog]

drgondog,

Was the E-wing cross-sectionally different than the A/B/C/D wings? If so, did it have a higher placard and structural limit?

E???
The H wing was a different airfoil but I am not aware of a different Placard limit dive speed. OTOH, it was stressed for a slightly higher AoA load factor than B/D at combat weight.

 

[Zipper730]

deleted

 

[Zipper730]

Spitfire I meant

 

[wuzak]

drgondog,

Was the E-wing cross-sectionally different than the A/B/C/D wings? If so, did it have a higher placard and structural limit?

Spitfire I meant

The Spitfire wing types A to E used the same profile.

There were structural changes to the C wing compared to the A and B, and the D wing had a different structural leading edge as it incorporated a fuel tank.

Concise Guide To Spitfire Wing Types — Variants & Technology | Reference

 

[drgondog]

The Spitfire has a smaller T/C ratio which delayed transonic effects during a dive and had a slightly higher dive speed than the Mustang.