Hello!
Finnish Air Forces compared different dive bombers in the 1930s to choose the best to be their main light bomber (Fokker C.X was chosen). One of the aeroplanes was Hawker P.V.4. Test flights were made and an evaluation was made.
Only one prototype was made and I would like to hear more what British pilots thought about this aeroplane. I could later translate the evaluation to English if interested.
Martti
By: Martti Kujansuu - 4th April 2008 at 13:15
Sorry for the delay!
Major Jusu test flew the plane on 13th November 1935 at Martlesham Heath. He found the plane easy to taxi but it was hard to see straight front because of the engine.
At take off the plane starts to first roll left and as the speed increases to right. Climbing and level flight are easy due of the adjustable elevator. The planes stays still easily steerable at dive in speeds over 500 km/h.
Jusu claims that landing speed is about 85 km/h, that is below the stalling speed according to the factory! (check the table below, 55 m.p.h = 88 km/h)
If the Finns would have ordered the plane the first 18 planes would have cost 4,650 £ per plane (1.055.000 Finnish marks). 5000 £ for the licence and 300 £ for the first ten planes, 250 £ for the next ten and 200 £ for the next…
Empty Weight with Pegasus X, propeller etc.: 1531 kg
Equipment: 129 kg
Operating fluids, pilot, observer etc.: 1362 kg
Total: 3022 kg
Performance with Pegasus X, operating weight of 2848 kg, wooden propeller and bombs & guns installed:
Speed:
Sea level: 267 km/h
2000 m: 294 km/h
3050 m: 290 km/h
4580 m: 283 km/h
Stalling speed: 105 km/h
Never exceed speed at dive: 563 km/h.
Climb rate:
Time to
1530 m: 3,2 min
3050 m: 7,2 min
4580 m: 12,9 min
Practical ceiling: 7300 m
Theoretical ceiling: 7650 m
Landing distance with brakes: 160 m
Starting distance: 200 m
Range with normal rpm at altitude of 2000 meters and with 680 liters of petrol: 820 km
Source: Finnish National Archive Service (“Kansallisarkisto”). “Op.3/YE: Kirjeistöä 1935-1937”. File T-2864/8.
By: Martti Kujansuu - 25th January 2007 at 18:47
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January 11, 2007 at 2:35 pm