Hurricane - glide rate

[Christer Engdahl]

Originally Posted by Revi16

It just ends up being whatever it is after the other performance goals are met.

Exactly what I meant, when the goal of low drag is met, you get a good glide ratio in the bargain! Compare the P-51. A "laminar flow profile" was developed to get the lowest possible drag and I bet it had one of the best glide ratios but at a comparatively high speed.

[Revi16]

Originally Posted by Christer Engdahl

Exactly what I meant, when the goal of low drag is met, you get a good glide ratio in the bargain! Compare the P-51. A "laminar flow profile" was developed to get the lowest possible drag and I bet it had one of the best glide ratios but at a comparatively high speed.

My initial post which you quoted was "Best glide rate wasn't high on the performance needs list" only meant that a specific glide ratio wasn't a target goal in the development of fighters. The performance goals were Speed, Climb Rate, Altitude and Range.

The Spitfire Mk. I had a much lighter wing loading (and better glide ratio) than the later developed Spitfire Mk.'s. While the later Mk.'s "Power On" performance numbers kept increasing, their glide ratios decreased.


Edit - as for the other posts referencing "glide ratios", there is a distinct difference between a fully functional aircraft with its engine at idle (still making power) and an inoperable engine. An inoperable engine with the prop still turning is a huge air brake, the glide ratio will suffer greatly.