Technical question….
I collect diecast aircraft models (as do some of you guys I suspect) and recently bought the Corgi Do-17z and Do-215. Both have the starboard tailfin canted out to counteract the torque (though there is some debate about which fin it should be, when it was deleted and other matters of huge import)…
This lead to a conversation on the subject with my Dad and he vaguely recalls reading that the Skua, Mustang and Hurricane along with may biplanes all had very slightly canted tailfins for the same reason – can anyone confirm or expand on this?
He also read that the MC-202 had one wing very slightly shorter for the same reason and that one (un)intended ?? consequence of this was increased maneuverability… bad news for Hurricanes!
And finally, he also believes that the Hornet was the first twin to have propellers that turned in opposing arcs to negate torque – can anyone confirm?
Thanks
Seb
By: pagen01 - 7th April 2010 at 17:47
Most tail fins of prop aircraft are slightly cantered for torque effect, but surprised to hear about it on jets, especially more so on a twin jet like the Jag.
I didn’t think there was an obvious torque effect with jet engines?
By: Bograt - 7th April 2010 at 16:00
The P-40 does as well; can’t remember exactly by how much as I am not by the manuals at the moment but we were asked the question recently by an aero modelling group.
By: PeterVerney - 7th April 2010 at 15:43
I would confirm that the Mossie DID not have handed props.
One of the funniest incidents with a Mossie that I witnessed occurred at Leeming when we were on the OCU. There had been a succession of accidents which upset the CO, so, one morning he leapt into the T3, reputedly saying “I’ll show these boys how to fly”.
My pilot and I had just landed and were walking back from our aircraft when we were alerted to the T3 taxying very fast out to the runway, so we stopped to watch.
He turned on to the runway, opened both throttles to full, and I swear did not travel 100 yards. The aircraft swung visciously, the undercarriage collapsed, as was normal for the Mossie, and it came to rest at right angles to the runway, but still on it.
By: JagRigger - 7th April 2010 at 13:28
Even jets……
Standard rigging on a Jaguar’s rudder was 8mm to stbd 🙂
By: Oxcart - 7th April 2010 at 12:53
The Mustang fin was, indeed, not vertical (1 degree offset to one side if memory serves). After all, careless torque costs lives (VERY sorry!)
By: steve_p - 7th April 2010 at 12:47
Westland Whirlwind originally had counter rotating props.
By: jbs - 7th April 2010 at 12:41
The fin on the Fairey Battle is offset, for I would imagine the very same reason.
By: John Aeroclub - 7th April 2010 at 12:03
Both the P38 and Hornet had counter (not contra) rotating propellers. A large number of designs have offset fins such as the Albacore. The entire rear fuselage (including the tailplane) are canted on the Henschel 126.
John
By: Nashio966 - 7th April 2010 at 11:08
think so, i dont think the mossie had handed props but im pretty sure the DH Hornet had handed props, im sure mr collins can confirm 🙂
By: Blue_2 - 7th April 2010 at 11:05
Didn’t the P-38 have handed props too?
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April 7, 2010 at 11:02 am