Warbird adventures
Posted: 02 Aug 2019, 20:53
Dunno 'bout the rest of you intrepid airmen, but I find that it takes me lots of practice to maintain proficiency in my A2A warbirds.
The P-40: This is the "easiest" airplane to fly. Also the one that I've had the most time in. Plenty of old school quirks, but I've gotten used to 'em. I've said it before - my A2A P-40 flies like my 1950 Harley Panhead rides. Still, I can't ignore this fine machine for too long if I want drama-free takeoffs and landings in reasonably short strips.
The Spitfire: This one is a serious handful during takeoff. I have to complete at least ten takeoffs to get the feel back, and you can't just do endless flights around the pattern in the Spit, due to the minimal radiator. My latest key to successful takeoffs is to very gently wiggle the rudder as she starts on the takeoff roll, with a slight emphasis to left or right, as needed to keep the nose on the centerline. Stick all the way back at the beginning of the takeoff, moving forward as the throttle comes on, and some air starts moving past the rudder. You have to apply power evenly, but you don't want to be like those guys in that takeoff scene in the Battle of Britain, where they're taking forever to get off the ground and they end up getting blasted or hitting bomb craters. Landing is much easier, but getting her on the ground without the "bumps-a-daisy" takes a careful hand on the stick.
The Mustang: I think this machine is easier than the Spit on takeoff, mainly because of the wider gear. You start out with the stick all the way back to keep the tail on the ground early in the takeoff roll, then neutralize the stick as the speed increases, and then a little forward stick to get the tail up a bit. Some right aileron to counteract the torque from the engine, and she flies right off! Yeah, that's just after I did about five T&Gs on a big, wide runway - easy to say. OK - I still haven't mastered the bounceless landing. I did it on my last T&G and my full-stop landing at that big, wide runway, but that was just a few minutes ago. Tomorrow I'll have to start all over again.
The real test for any of these beasts is to land at Catalina (KAVX). Twenty six miles across the sea, it's waitin' for you and me.
Seeya
ATB
The P-40: This is the "easiest" airplane to fly. Also the one that I've had the most time in. Plenty of old school quirks, but I've gotten used to 'em. I've said it before - my A2A P-40 flies like my 1950 Harley Panhead rides. Still, I can't ignore this fine machine for too long if I want drama-free takeoffs and landings in reasonably short strips.
The Spitfire: This one is a serious handful during takeoff. I have to complete at least ten takeoffs to get the feel back, and you can't just do endless flights around the pattern in the Spit, due to the minimal radiator. My latest key to successful takeoffs is to very gently wiggle the rudder as she starts on the takeoff roll, with a slight emphasis to left or right, as needed to keep the nose on the centerline. Stick all the way back at the beginning of the takeoff, moving forward as the throttle comes on, and some air starts moving past the rudder. You have to apply power evenly, but you don't want to be like those guys in that takeoff scene in the Battle of Britain, where they're taking forever to get off the ground and they end up getting blasted or hitting bomb craters. Landing is much easier, but getting her on the ground without the "bumps-a-daisy" takes a careful hand on the stick.
The Mustang: I think this machine is easier than the Spit on takeoff, mainly because of the wider gear. You start out with the stick all the way back to keep the tail on the ground early in the takeoff roll, then neutralize the stick as the speed increases, and then a little forward stick to get the tail up a bit. Some right aileron to counteract the torque from the engine, and she flies right off! Yeah, that's just after I did about five T&Gs on a big, wide runway - easy to say. OK - I still haven't mastered the bounceless landing. I did it on my last T&G and my full-stop landing at that big, wide runway, but that was just a few minutes ago. Tomorrow I'll have to start all over again.
The real test for any of these beasts is to land at Catalina (KAVX). Twenty six miles across the sea, it's waitin' for you and me.
Seeya
ATB