25.06.2010, 23:43
piersyf Wrote:Hi guys. I wouldn't take wing loading alone as a measure of maneuverability. The P51 may have a loading of 192 kg/msq, but the B17 had a wing loading of 190kg/msq. Does that make the B17 as maneuverable as a P51? . Short, high loaded wings have less drag and usually have a high rate of roll. Good pitch control will have a/c like that change vector very quickly. High a/c weight then has angular momentum to overcome. In short, a Zero with the shorter wingspan and the lighter airframe will easily over-match an a/c even if it has comparable wing loading. One area the TBF would have an advantage over other bombers is that the G loading would be higher than for normal "bombers" and would be inside the range for a fighter, as you would expect from any a/c capable of dive bombing.
Just an "off the cuff" reply as I cannot find any useful data on the TBF such as G load or rate of roll.
P
the effect of the fuel was more of a balance thing as opposed to the overall size and weight, which even todays craft have to maintain some sort of fuel balance to be able to fly and handle smoothly. The P-51 flight manual states : Cockpit Check - Fuel Supply The first thing you will want to consider is whether or not to fly with the aft fuselage tank filled. When even half-full, this tank had a severely adverse affect on the aircraft's handling. Only normal, conservative maneuvers were allowed with this tank full, as it moves the aircraft's center of gravity well aft. Unless you are planning a long-range ferry mission, it is recommended this tank be set to empty or nearly empty.
With the Avenger the statement of assessment from the War Dept. was : As with all US naval planes of pre-Guadacanal times, the US TBF is inferior to its counterpart, the B5N2 Kate in performance (except for speed on the deck). It climbs poorer, turns much worse, accelerates poorer, and carries poorer torpedos (something that should not be an issue in Warbirds as all torpedos perform the same). But it has the usual assets of the US Navy for the time: Durability, excellent defensive firepower compared to the opposition, and fragile opponents. And that is comparing it to the Kate..