Landing on Spitfire IXe / Spitfire XIV

[Cardolan]

Hi all,

 

I am trying these aircraft for the first time and compared with the Bf 109 I am finding them a hell to land. Their left wing almost always touches the ground and at the very least I end up damaging the plane.

 

Can some kind soul provide some pointers to help me properly land these machines?

 

Thanks all!

 

 

P.S. - Also, what's up with the forum? I am finding difficult to reach it through my connection...

[69th_Panp]

Land at the correct speed 

Then use brakes and rudder at the same time to slow down.

add 6% engine power after touching down, this will maintain airflow over the rudder allowing it to remain effective while slowing down.

ground looping is and always has been a problem with tail draggers that don't have a locking tailwheel.

[MDzmitry]

There's the way described above, or you could glide to the airfield at ~30% throttle and 80-85% prop RPM, then pull the throttle to be around 10-15% and keep the throttle while applying breaks once you've touched the ground.

 

The main trick in both cases is to have some throttle to keep the airflow on tail controls. That will let you easily compensate for any swerving and taxi straight. Same throttle/break combination goes for taxiing, keep your throttle around 12-15% and tap breaks every so often to keep the speed and direction in check.

 

P.S. - just checked Panp's message fully, he's already covered it. Well, damn, I'm a bit too petty to delete what I've written already

[Cardolan]

Thank you both for the pointers.

[Dagwoodyt]

I've been flying the Spitfire IX in DCS recently. Frankly I think it's a greater challenge than the one in GB. What I am noticing is that being able to control the Spitfire in slow flight is critical. If you have optimum control the aircraft will touch down without any wheel chirp and be easy to bring to a stop. Airspeed at ~80mph and vertical speed indicator within one tick below zero at touchdown seems to be what is needed. I always check to make sure that rudder is trimmed to be centered by momentarily taking feet off rudder bar when lining up for landing. Elevator trim is set so that I need minimal, if any, up elevator during descent to runway. Prop RPM set to max on downwind and throttle modulations to maintain tightest possible vertical speed control.

[1PL-Husar-1Esk]

6 hours ago, Cardolan said:

Can some kind soul provide some pointers to help me properly land these machines

You don't need throttle, just hold your break immediately after touchdown until full stop. Small rudder adjustment for perfect straight roll.

[Kubert]

I would also add that, take wind direction into account. When landing with side wind from the right. You logically compensating it by rudder to the right during descend. But once all wheels are on the ground, try to do the most counter intuitive thing ever and press opposing rudder...to the left. I started doing that and never damaged Spitfire or any aircraft without tail lock again. I am not a physic expert, but it looks like when all three wheels are on the ground, only your tail is pushed to the side because it is the lightest part of the plane... And that's why opposite rudder is needed? To push tail against the wind? 

[AndyJWest]

27 minutes ago, Kubert said:

I would also add that, take wind direction into account. When landing with side wind from the right. You logically compensating it by rudder to the right during descend. But once all wheels are on the ground, try to do the most counter intuitive thing ever and press opposing rudder...to the left. I started doing that and never damaged Spitfire or any aircraft without tail lock again. I am not a physic expert, but it looks like when all three wheels are on the ground, only your tail is pushed to the side because it is the lightest part of the plane... And that's why opposite rudder is needed? To push tail against the wind? 

 

Sideslipping during landing approach needs care, and I'd never recommend doing it on finals in a Spitfire. You should keep the ball centred, and aim upwind. Kick the rudder over as you touch down to align with the runway.