Flying the Hurricane

[RAF74 LoyalNine]

Follow up to Stew's thread on the 109:

[RAF74_Stew]

This guy is great. Thanks for posting LN.

Some "aha" moments reading his report:

1. The docile nature of Hurricane landings seems spot on. I can honestly say that in my years flying this sim I don't think I've ever killed myself landing a Hurri that wasn't shot up.

2. Note that in RL the maximum speed to have the gear down is 200kph.

3. No such thing as popping flaps up and down to get better turns in RL. Sounds like the gear lever and flaps are one and the same.

4. When trimmed, the Spitfire was more stable than the Hurri. Hmmm That dispells a "myth" I have believed since I was in third grade :) To be fair, docile and stable aren't the same but was a bit surprised to get this perspective.


5. I don't recall reading that cockpit heat was an issue in the Hurri, but it certainly makes sense considering all the plumbing running through it...

[RAF74_Buzzsaw]

This guy is great. Thanks for posting LN.

Some "aha" moments reading his report:

1. The docile nature of Hurricane landings seems spot on. I can honestly say that in my years flying this sim I don't think I've ever killed myself landing a Hurri that wasn't shot up.

2. Note that in RL the maximum speed to have the gear down is 200kph.

3. No such thing as popping flaps up and down to get better turns in RL. Sounds like the gear lever and flaps are one and the same.

4. When trimmed, the Spitfire was more stable than the Hurri. Hmmm That dispells a "myth" I have believed since I was in third grade :) To be fair, docile and stable aren't the same but was a bit surprised to get this perspective.


5. I don't recall reading that cockpit heat was an issue in the Hurri, but it certainly makes sense considering all the plumbing running through it...

Remember one thing Stew.

This test is of a Hurricane IV, which is far heavier than the original, even heavier than the Hurri II. It had a structurally stronger wing, built to take the 40mm cannon used on the IID, or rocket rails and bombs if nessesary. Because it was focused on ground attack, it had armouring around the radiator and engine, which is one reason it might have been hotter, since that armour would tend to keep the heat inside. It also had a much higher horsepower engine, tuned for low alt performance, because this was a ground attack aircraft, which would also generate more heat.

The original Hurri I or even the Hurri II would be a much quicker maneuvering but less powerful aircraft.

[RAF74_Winger]

S!

I've a similar report of flying the Hurri XII, which also mentions this 'wobbliness'. If the wing was beefed up and the radiator armoured as Buzz says, this could well lead to diminished stability in pitch due to the rearward position of the C of G. The reported excessive control friction would tend to exacerbate that effect.

I'll try to get that report scanned in this week so you can all have a look.

W.