Taking a Stab
Been awhile since I updated this blog, I guess times gets away from you when you are on a roll.
A number of projects have been completed and some discoveries made along the way, take Vstabs for example. Whilst working on spin stability issues I noted the the Vstabs had a an increased stabilizing effect if their angle was reversed from 90 dreg to -90deg. Testing seemed to indicate that due to additional sweep angles I have been applying that the angles of a Vstab were becoming important. With past building techniques no sweep angle was applied to the tail surfaces, and that meant the Vstab was the same no matter which angle was used BUT, which was correct.
The TW engine is a smart bugga and it seems to know when a Hstab is left or right of the datum and you need not make one 180 opposed in direction but what about a Vstab set ON the datum, is it presumed -90 or 90 for vertical up? Testing confirmed improved stability at -90degs when sweep was used so a simple proof test was created to determine the ‘correct’ angle. I created a lifting surface so Vstab the airfoil would move the rear of the plane towards the low preassure zone. From this I was able to determine all current Vstabs are installed UPSIDE DOWN. I have started to corerct all TR planes to -90 with the new rebuilds and the spin recovery is much improved.
Today Mossie created one of the 5 or so new shared reflector gun sights we needed for TR. I have stared fitting these to all TR planes and expect we should have these all in for the next release. I am very aware that some of you were disappointed TR didn’t have these fitted so this should prove very popular and get you off my back. 
Dughor has also chipped in with some refinements to the F6Fs and he is working on a fresh new, and ‘correctly sized’ F4F. He has fitted some very cool retract mechanisms that are an animation standout, looking forward to replacing the old F4F with this new beauty.
Mossie has commenced the anm of his new P40 series, he is happy it is going along well but at the same time disappointed no-one seems to want to skin this NEW P40. ‘Serious’ applicants apply within.
That’s about it for now, I continue to update the FMs to new spec and can’t wait to release these upon the TR world.
