P40 Wing flex

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Hypaserge
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P40 Wing flex

Post by Hypaserge »

Gents, I noticed in tight turns and turbulence that there was no wing flex on the P40...is this because on software design limitations or that the P40's main spar was very rigid?

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Oracle427
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Re: P40 Wing flex

Post by Oracle427 »

While a little vibration and barely perceptible amount of flex would likely be realistic, these aren't sailplanes or airliners with long and relatively thin wings and designed for normal category +3.8G/-1.52G limits. Any flex in the wing structure would result in serious aerodynamic issues at high loads such as control reversal.

I'm not familiar with the evolution of wing or control system designs, but if you take the 747 as an example, I'm pretty sure that it "phases out" the aileron above certain airspeeds to limit loads imposed by flex and avoid control reversal. The roll control instead shifts to an inner aileron surface near the wing root and mostly inboard of the flaps where the structure is stronger.
Flight Simmer since 1983. PP ASEL IR Tailwheel
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MkIV Hvd
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Re: P40 Wing flex

Post by MkIV Hvd »

Hypaserge wrote: 24 Aug 2020, 16:50 ...or that the P40's main spar was very rigid?
Yes... :wink:
Rob Wilkinson
A2A: Civilian Mustang, T-6, Bonanza, Comanche, Cub, C182, Spitfire, P-40, Cherokee, P-51 - VATSIM P4 and some other stuff...

Hypaserge
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Re: P40 Wing flex

Post by Hypaserge »

Thank you Gents, I have just won my argument with someone whom believes he knows EVERYTHING aeronautical!!! Your exclamation is exactly what my argument was focused on. Thanks again.

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Oracle427
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Re: P40 Wing flex

Post by Oracle427 »

Definitely not a P-40, but those this F-16 video as an example of the small amount of flex on these relatively short and very strong wings. Watch the left wing as the pilot rolls and pulls a high g turn. You can see the wing flex upward ever so slightly and see it unflex as they unload.

https://youtu.be/GAnIBFcwiL4?t=722

It is definitely nothing like what you see on larger normal category aircraft. Note how much the wings unload when the aircraft lands on the second video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzvA9tHNTyg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDAJfR34RtE

Note quite as large or heavy as a P-40, but watch a few high G maneuvers here from a wingtip or tail cam. No sign of flexing at all and these are planes that are stressed for aerobatics.

https://youtu.be/KOFsfMY7IPc?t=36
Flight Simmer since 1983. PP ASEL IR Tailwheel
N28021 1979 Super Viking 17-30A

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