Spitfire Flaps Functionality?

[screamingdemon]

Curious, since Spitfire flaps deploy at 90deg do they function as air brakes or flaps?

 

I do believe there are no intermediate adjustments either i.e either full-up or full-down?

Edited November 24, 2017 by screamingdemon

[Trooper117]

They are either down for landing or they are up at all other times... that's it

[Riderocket]

I think they probably act more like Brakes. Since 90° is too much for lift.

[TheElf]

Just like the Yak right?  LOL!!!

[JtD]

Well, they go down to 85°. But even at 90°, they would provide extra lift, not just drag. There's just not much lift increase beyond ~60°, but still considerable drag increase.

[AndyJWest]

Yup. Strictly for landings - where extra drag is advantageous, if only because it means you are coming in steeper, and have a better view of the airfield in the approach (though of course there are other reasons too). As far as I'm aware, the only Spitfires that ever used flaps for takeoff were the ones which took off from a carrier on the way to Malta - they  used wooden wedges to hold the flaps open a little, and released them after takeoff by opening the flaps fully. Crude, but effective,

[screamingdemon]

To conclude - spitfire was never designed with concept of using flaps to increase lift for slower speed landings - curious concept, no?

[AndyJWest]

As JtD states, you do get more lift (or more to the point, you can get the same lift at a slower speed - in a steady approach, lift needs to equal weight, and any more would result in an upward acceleration, which you don't need). You also get more drag, which is also helpful. The Spitfire isn't in any way unusual - split flaps always work that way, and have been fitted to all sorts of aircraft - I suspect they are the most common type in WW2 aircraft.