Quote:
Originally Posted by Jukka Juutinen
If Spits did not use vertical dives (not that BS of 60 deg as "vertical"), then why is that mentioned in the Spitfire bible? It is mentioned on the section dealing with complaints of wrinkled wings in Spit IX fighter bomber ops. It is clearly mentioned that most wrinkling was experienced by pilots who dove vertically (not at 60 deg) and pulled out hard at low altitude and escaped at tree top level.
|
Better read again. Note the 45* to 60* angle mentioned.
pg 329 and pg 330 of the Spit bible
Farnborough Nov 1944. V-g records for Spitfire Mk IX during operations in France and Belgium. A number of V-g recorders were installed in a/c of a Spitfire Mk IXLF Wing on the Western Front , in order to investigate skin wrinkling on mainplanes. Spitfires of No. 125 Wing had experienced a large number of buckled wing within the space of a couple of weeks. A/c involved in the tests were:- NL345, NH476, PT357 The 2 forms of attack suspected of causing wing damage were armed recon and dive bombing. For bombing one 500lb bomb was carried under the fuselage and two 250lb bombs under the wings. The pilots generally dived into the target at an angle of 45* to 60*. Lowest altitude reached was about 1000ft choosing one vehicle and diving across the road and not along it. After the attack the Spitfires were climbed immediately out of range of the heavy flak using rapid aileron rolls, weaving, tight turns and inverted flight. Escape low down was nor favoured as the flak could concentrate easily at that height. The pull out was considered severe and black out, a common occurance, was ignored.
Also see pg 316 and pg 317 where it again mentions 45* and 60* dive angles and some are said to be
almost vertically. Note the 'almost'.
Tony, you to note the 'almost'. As well, the target would not disappear in a vertical dive though it would in a high angle dive.