A Modern Pilot’s Personal Perspective
This aircraft was not designed for speed (47% power = 564hp, 27 inches/1,900rpm = 195mph; and 80% power = 960hp, 35 inches/2,300rpm = 215 mph). The wing design does give good lift, so plus or minus 2 or 3mph will result in the need for a trim change, both pitch and yaw. I have spent many cross-country hours entertaining myself by trying to trim the Wildcat to fly hands-off. This aircraft has very light elevator forces, however, and the ailerons are heavy and will require two hands to roll at more than 200mph. The rudder is effective throughout the speed range, but the forces are heavy. One thing I must say about the Wildcat is that no fighter, then or now, will turn inside of it. Its overall flight characteristics are straightforward and benign. In flight, it handles much like a 1,350hp AT-6/SNJ.
Prestart Checks
This story is from the August 2019 edition of Flight Journal.
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This story is from the August 2019 edition of Flight Journal.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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Scourge of the Allied Fighters
IT HAD TO BE THE MOST HELPLESS FEELING in the world: you're at 25,000 feet over Europe knowing that your primary function is to drop bombs-or flying escort for the bombers while being a slow-moving target for some of the world's finest shooters. However, you have John Browning's marvelous .50 caliber invention to give some degree of protection. Unfortunately, you're absolutely helpless against flak. Piloting and gunnery skills play no role in a game where sheer chance makes life and death decisions. For that reason, the Krupp 88 mm Flak 18/36/37 AA cannon could be considered WW II's ultimate stealth fighter. You never saw it coming.
ZERO MYTH, MYSTERY, AND FACT
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Fw 190 STURMBÖCKE
The Luftwaffe's \"Battering Rams\" against the USAAF heavy bombers
American BEAUTY
\"Forgotten Fifteenth\" top-scoring Mustang ace John J. Voll
BANSHEE WAIL!
Flying Skulls over Burma
KILLER CORSAIR
Albert Wells, Death Rattlers Ace
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Still Flying After All These Years
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NOORDUYN NORSEMAN
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