B
Bullethead
Guest
I've always heard that the RE8's low-speed and stall characteristics were pure evil. This is what gave the plane its bad reputation, because at regular speeds it was as nice and stable as any Royal Aircraft Factory product. Sure, its regular speed wasn't any improvement on the BE2, but it wasn't any worse, either.
Specifically, I've heard the following (taken from 34 Sqd's "notes for the guidance of pilots" when they 1st equipped with "Harry Tate"):
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So, I did some low speed and stall flights in OFF just now. Every realism setting was maxed out except automixture, which wasn't a factor because the RE8's engine quits instead of idling if you throttle it all the way back. In the game, I found that the RE8 exhibits none of the above bad habits. In fact, it's got stall characteristics as gentle as a modern glider's.
There is no sudden drop in airspeed at 65mph. The plane is in fact difficult to stall, requiring full up elevator at about 45mph. When it does finally stall, the nose just gently drops to about -20^, by which point the plane's regained airspeed to about 50mph so is fully under control again. It's thus perfectly safe to descend in a gentle undulation with the motor off by just holding the stick full back. The plane remains perfectly level throughout.
Not only does the airplane not spin while doing this, but it is impossible to force it to spin, even with liberal use of rudder and aileron. Once the nose drops after its little "excuse me" stall, it has sufficient airspeed that it's flying immediately, so just goes into a normal turn. The rudder retains full authority the whole time.
As regards turns, the plane can be made to maintain altitude and airspeed indefinitely in a 90^ bank turn. The large rudder and elevator deflections necessary in such a turn don't seem to slow it down at all.
So I'm kinda jealous of the E.III guys. I wanted to fly a nasty airplane, too, but the RE8 doesn't live up to its bad reputation.
Specifically, I've heard the following (taken from 34 Sqd's "notes for the guidance of pilots" when they 1st equipped with "Harry Tate"):
The chief thing to remember is that the machine gives very little indications of losing its speed until it suddenly shows an uncontrollable tendency to dive which cannot be corrected in time if you are near the ground.
You will find the rudder control in every case of spinning or swinging tail will become very stiff, and you may not be able to get it very central but you should aim (without putting on sufficient pressure to break anything) to do this.
With the engine off the thing to avoid is gliding too slowly. At 65 m.p.h. or below, when gliding, the machine suddenly loses speed. This is particularly the case when making a turn to enter the aerodrome as the extra resistance caused by the rudder is sufficient to bring down the pace...
One more point as regards losing speed. Observers must be cautioned that when an aeroplane is gliding down from work over the lines they must not stand up in order to look over the pilot's shoulder for the fun of the thing, as the extra head resistance caused may lead to the aeroplane falling below its critical gliding speed, and so bring about an accident.
From more technical stuff, I gather the following:You will find the rudder control in every case of spinning or swinging tail will become very stiff, and you may not be able to get it very central but you should aim (without putting on sufficient pressure to break anything) to do this.
With the engine off the thing to avoid is gliding too slowly. At 65 m.p.h. or below, when gliding, the machine suddenly loses speed. This is particularly the case when making a turn to enter the aerodrome as the extra resistance caused by the rudder is sufficient to bring down the pace...
One more point as regards losing speed. Observers must be cautioned that when an aeroplane is gliding down from work over the lines they must not stand up in order to look over the pilot's shoulder for the fun of the thing, as the extra head resistance caused may lead to the aeroplane falling below its critical gliding speed, and so bring about an accident.
- The reason for the sudden drop in speed at 65mph was the big air scoop over the engine catching more air as the angle of attack increased.
- There was only an RCH of difference between the max glide speed that still allowed a descent without gaining airspeed, and the speed at which the air scoop would slam on the brakes and stall you. Hence the cautions about even a little extra drag while descending.
- There was no warning of impending stall (mushy controls, shuddering, etc.) because above 65mph the plane was flying OK, and then it slowed to stall speed so fast that there wasn't time for any of the usual warning signs.
- Once stalled, the plane almost always went into a spin due to insufficient vertical tail area. And as noted above, the rudder was practically useless in a spin.
.So, I did some low speed and stall flights in OFF just now. Every realism setting was maxed out except automixture, which wasn't a factor because the RE8's engine quits instead of idling if you throttle it all the way back. In the game, I found that the RE8 exhibits none of the above bad habits. In fact, it's got stall characteristics as gentle as a modern glider's.
There is no sudden drop in airspeed at 65mph. The plane is in fact difficult to stall, requiring full up elevator at about 45mph. When it does finally stall, the nose just gently drops to about -20^, by which point the plane's regained airspeed to about 50mph so is fully under control again. It's thus perfectly safe to descend in a gentle undulation with the motor off by just holding the stick full back. The plane remains perfectly level throughout.
Not only does the airplane not spin while doing this, but it is impossible to force it to spin, even with liberal use of rudder and aileron. Once the nose drops after its little "excuse me" stall, it has sufficient airspeed that it's flying immediately, so just goes into a normal turn. The rudder retains full authority the whole time.
As regards turns, the plane can be made to maintain altitude and airspeed indefinitely in a 90^ bank turn. The large rudder and elevator deflections necessary in such a turn don't seem to slow it down at all.
So I'm kinda jealous of the E.III guys. I wanted to fly a nasty airplane, too, but the RE8 doesn't live up to its bad reputation.
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