Is Spitfire relly superior to FW-190?

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Me neither.

[wmaxt]

Originally Posted by FLYBOYJ

Did anyone find info on "Cruise to Combat Configuration?"

I will look for a better description but these are some of the steps:

Switch fuel tanks from drop tanks to main (both fuel systems are seperate).
Drop drop tanks.
Mixture controls
Propellar controls
Throttles
Charge guns (early models) if not already done.

The engine controls must be moved in that order to prevent detonation or overspeeding. This was simplafied in later models. Lockheed had better engine controls that would not only have simplafied things but would have given the P-38 better mixture control and faster cruise speeds. The WPB (War Production Board) didn't allow them to be completed and installed.

It's a lot to do in a hurry and with the various controls placed around the cockpit I'd bet it could be exciting when someone is attacking you!

wmaxt

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by wmaxt

I will look for a better description but these are some of the steps:

Switch fuel tanks from drop tanks to main (both fuel systems are separate).
Drop drop tanks.
Mixture controls
Propellar controls
Throttles
Charge guns (early models) if not already done.

The engine controls must be moved in that order to prevent detonation of overspeeding.

It's a lot to do in a hurry and with the various controls placed around the cockpit I'd bet it could be exciting when someone is attacking you!

Hmmmm....With the exception of the drop tanks and charging guns, that's not much different when flying any other twin engine airplane, granted that someone is shooting at you, but what you describe there is even typical for most single engine WW2 fighter aircraft as well. For the most part, if that took you 5 or 6 seconds, you took your time. Keep in mind that these steps were probably on a checklist that a properly trained pilot could do in his sleep.

As far as detonation or over speeding, I think this is not an issue considering they were running pretty high octane fuel and you could always come back on the mixture. The P-38 has a constant speed prop (Propeller governor equipped), unless you wind the thing up outside the dive speed envelop, I doubt the engine will over speed.

Thanks for the info, anyone got anything else?

[wmaxt]

Originally Posted by FLYBOYJ

Hmmmm....With the exception of the drop tanks and charging guns, that's not much different when flying any other twin engine airplane, granted that someone is shooting at you, but what you describe there is even typical for most single engine WW2 fighter aircraft as well. For the most part, if that took you 5 or 6 seconds, you took your time. Keep in mind that these steps were probably on a checklist that a properly trained pilot could do in his sleep.

As far as detonation or over speeding, I think this is not an issue considering they were running pretty high octane fuel and you could always come back on the mixture. The P-38 has a constant speed prop (Propeller governor equipped), unless you wind the thing up outside the dive speed envelop, I doubt the engine will over speed.

Thanks for the info, anyone got anything else?

The engine control sequence is right out of the flight manual. Mine is an Avaition Publication so I think it is a collaboration of early and late information.

wmaxt

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by wmaxt

The engine control sequence is right out of the flight manual. Mine is an Avaition Publication so I think it is a collaboration of early and late information.

wmaxt

Thanks for the reference!

You know, I think I have the same one, but again I could tell you those tasks don't take that long. I'm still wondering about this combat comfiguration?!? It still reminds me of an X wing fighter openeing up its wings

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Most of the controls should be right around the same spot in the cockpit anyhow. I am not familiar with the cockpit of the P-38 but I would think the mixture and propellar controls would be on the throttle and the drop tank jettison and the gun charger would be on the cyclic or yoke, which ever it has.

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by DerAdlerIstGelandet

Most of the controls should be right around the same spot in the cockpit anyhow. I am not familiar with the cockpit of the P-38 but I would think the mixture and propellar controls would be on the throttle and the drop tank jettison and the gun charger would be on the cyclic or yoke, which ever it has.

You're right my friend, everything is within a hand's reach. Throttle, Mixture and Prop control are all next to each other on the left side of the cockpit, I believe the drop tank control is just forward of that and i believe the fuel tank position control is on the center pedestal (I'm writing this from memory)

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

It just makes sense to me and most modern aircraft today are built like that. You control the aircraft with your right hand and you control the throttle and other important controls with the left hand.

The same is for helicopters, the cyclic is between the pilots leg (as it is in most fixed wing fighter aircraft, with the execption of several newer aircraft with the stick on the right) and the collective with throttle controls on the left of the pilot.

[cheddar cheese]

Here is a shot of the cockpit of a P-38

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

It still amazes me though that they did not use cyclic type controls rahter than yokes like in this picture. I find that an aircraft is more easier to control with a cyclic then with a yoke.

[cheddar cheese]

Although having never flown a plane, I personally would rather have a yoke.

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by DerAdlerIstGelandet

It just makes sense to me and most modern aircraft today are built like that. You control the aircraft with your right hand and you control the throttle and other important controls with the left hand.

The same is for helicopters, the cyclic is between the pilots leg (as it is in most fixed wing fighter aircraft, with the execption of several newer aircraft with the stick on the right) and the collective with throttle controls on the left of the pilot.

You said it - and thats why I had a hard time understanding this combat configuration thing. Sure, you're going to different power settings and configurations during W/E ops but for the most part the process should be the same if your in a nomal climb or decent during non-combat flight, and all this would be on a checklist. The exception here is doing WE you're going to be going through that checklist a lot quicker!

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Same thing here. I was confused.

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by cheddar cheese

Here is a shot of the cockpit of a P-38

Although having never flown a plane, I personally would rather have a yoke.

Thanks CC - you could see most engine controls are on the left hand side within close reach of each other.

I could tell CC, I feel more confortable in a single engine aircraft with a stick. 2 or more engines for the most part I like a yoke.

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by cheddar cheese

Here is a shot of the cockpit of a P-38

I did this from memory (its slow at work right now). I'll check myself later!