First - I didn't say the pylons were necessary for stability ... I said, "(they actually helped stabilize the airplane)". They are, in effect, another set of fins; they have very little drag (no, I don't have the drag index at hand); and they were a chore to remove/put back on (no, I don't have a maintenance manual handy) ... so they stayed on almost always (yes, you can find exceptions as on Functional Check Flights or display birds).
Second - I defer to your three "real life pilots" ... their combined experience no doubt is greater than my fourteen years in the cockpit (C, D, E, slatted E).
Third - I'm old(er), obviously, and don't have the time or energy to "locate" the information" on the design of the pylons, sorry.
The (real) point I was unsuccessfully striving to make is that the developers should consider including an option to mount empty inboard pylons since that was how the airplane flew much of the time. Along those same lines, it's not as sexy as things that go boom, but peacetime training loads such as the SUU-20, SUU-21, and travel pods should be considered, in my humble opinion.
Great simulation of a great airplane - thanks!!
Gene K
