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Re: Performance of the Fw 190A on the Deck?
Bill
There must have been some differrencies in aerodynamics, because P-51D turned highly unstable at high speeds and had to be modified. That is one thing.
Another is accuracy of such calculations. As we know, engineering theories are based on approximates and simplified theories, and quite often we do not know what is actually going on. This is very important in understanding calculations of performance.
If methods widely used give us 10% accuracy (~40 mph!), and the result must be verified in tests of actual aircraft, which then has some not insignificant margin for quality of production, then we find that those few miles are just unmeasurable. On the other hand, we know that horizontal speed is just resulting from several factors. The most important is the airfoil used, then wing, then airframe, then engine and prop. Given each factor's share, it was concluded that small changes of weight are just unimportant in overall picture. That is what Graham is trying to show all the time.
BTW
Spitfire IX and Mustang III/IV/IVA were powered by the same Merlin engine. Which one was heavier and which one was faster?
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