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Originally Posted by Six Nifty .50s
Then we have to wonder where you learned about 'physics' and earth science.
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All six of you?
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The 'simple laws of physics' does not suggest that the maximum speed of a Spitfire XI flying at treetop height is exactly the same as it was at 25,000 feet. The 'simple laws of physics' does not tell us that that air resistance is the same, regardless of height.
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That is why Mach number is used.
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These speeds were achieved at what heights?
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It does not matter, due to nature of Mach.
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You'll have to take that up with Eric Morgan.
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What page?
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Perhaps Eric Morgan made another error when he claimed that a Spitfire reached 600 mph. And we have no way of knowing that instrument readings were always accurate.
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If it was an instrument speed it would be called IAS and not TAS. Otherwise nobody used ASI to such measurements!
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The report also clearly states that the FW 190A-3 also dived at higher speeds than the Spitfire V and the Spitfire IX. This is because the Spitfire had inferior dive acceleration. The opposite was true in USAAF tactical trials pitting the P-47 against the FW 190 where the Focke-Wulf had initial advantage but the Thunderbolt soon closed the gap.
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That means that Fw 190 was worser even from Thunderbolt, nothing more.
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Whatever Spitfire test pilots claimed to have achieved in very high altitude dives was certainly not borne out in combat, or in the RAF tactical trials versus German fighters.
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This was simply realised in 1943, when it was a little bit too late. Had it been found earlier, no doubt Spit pilots would have been encouraged to chase their enemies.
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When trying to escape, acceleration in the dive was far more important than maximum theoretical speed, which for the Spitfire had to be built up over a long period -- and essentially useless to the RAF pilots flying tactical trials.
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Acceleration is one thing, speed is another, and yet another is air combat. No aircraft could escape Spitfire by simple diving because Spitfire is the fastest piston aircraft ever known.