Can’t argue with that, give me a Cat any day over a Spitfire

Catalina – an American Beauty!

cheers

Used C172 as an example because it is well known, so substitute C170 in there so that is a taildragger. Remember these pilots more than likely trained on Tiger Moths so taildraggers were familar. Mustang a taildragger as well.

however you are correct in the with your C of G comments, however I threw in the flat tyre to alter the normal situation.

cheers

All

For those with an engineering bent, think turning moment and arms and forces, the question was of analysed and discussed during WW2 according to Alex Henshaw (second hard account told to me by Mike O’Sullivan of Supermarine Aircraft – designer/builder of the Spitfire replicas).

The answer is that the Spitfire had a much better survival rate with the narrow track. We often hear that the narrow track caused a lot of landing incidents, but the track is similar to a C172/182/210 and noone ever says they have a narrow track.

The Mustang tended to cartwheel because of the wider track. I guess that landing on a hard surface like we tend to do these days the effect mightn’t be so pronounced but with soft landing surfaces it was of significience and the Mustang killed a lot of people because of it.

Thought it would make a good discussion topic

cheers

All

AJ March excluded because he knows the answer, why is the Spitfire better, explain in technical terms and just to add complexity, which has a wider undercarriage track a Cessna C172 or a Spitfire?

cheers

For my displays , im at least in my prime – 30s or just past it :).

http://heritageflightgear.blogspot.com

Im a tall fella for me im a 6’3 225lb bloke.

10years ago i weighed 180lbs tho… so lifestyle and working does catch up with people…

I did find climbing into the Sabre jet with parachute on tad hard few years ago… 🙂 needed to do more stretches…

Doing a P-40 display last year was interesting – the P-40 is so roomy cockpit…

I do agree with some people that an age or physical constraint is maybe suitable for some renactments.

More important the stuff is preserved for future generations i feel.

I met the family of a very famous RAAF pilot at the HARS airshow this year while i was dressed in my 1960s RAAF Sabre gear. I was actually quite a popular item to photograph as most of the public had never seen the flightgear before on display and asked questions.

The family thought someone honouring their father’s role was most humbling and appreciated. Their dad’s name was on Sabre jet for display.

I commend you, looking at old aeroplanes is interesting but I think I have one fly-in/airshow too many with the current format in Australia, we need more re-enactment – flying gear displays to revive my interest. Ex-military vehicles are always a great interest and add a lot of value.

Of particular importance is the value they add in allowing photograhers to get a complete picture the vehicle, plane and the crew back in period attire.

I have enclosed an image from 5 SQN RAAF Operations Log showing the typical vehicles thatthe squadron had at the time they were at Toogoolawah in 1942/3 (now Watts Bridge). Wouldn’t it be great to see some of those vehicle types given pride of place along with the aeroplanes.

cheers

Gooday

Didn’t reasile that original ww2 webbing is valuable, wonder what one of those strap on HF field radios is worth in its original box complete and working. I was thinking of tossing it but couldn’t bring myself to do so. Got a lot of Marconi radio units out of a Canberra as well HF units from the equipment bay.

ummmm – what Proctor/Auster/Tiger bits can I swap them for! Remember aircraft restorer rule number 1 – never give anything away swap for something you need or can swap on. Gets around the awkard question of money.

Daniel, what shows have you done around Brisbane, Australia

cheers

Bager1968

There is a term often used in Australia called “******” and I can tell you that if I dressed up then I would feel like a ******.

Having said that, I would love to see the custom of dressing up to come into fashion in Australian.

Maybe your reverse logic question is the right one to ask.

We do have medival re-enactment groups and they get right into in, but it hasn’t caught on with the ex-military groups in any big way.

cheers