Box Damage model

[Paddy]

Nearly every combat sim I have ever seen makes the wings far too strong. The main spar of a wing, even in combat aircraft, never extends to the tip of the wing for several structural and aerodynamic reasons. The outer third of the wing is a good average for the structure beyond the main spar.

The vulnerability of the main spar and the role of the skin and ribs of a wing in relation to the structural integrity of the entire wing is one of the reasons pilots would head for home as soon as they could if they received damage, or more likely bail out even if it was over enemy territory. The outer part of a wing coming off after receiving damage is quite realistic.

Part of the P-47's legendary durability came from Republic placing 5 main spars in the wing rather than the normal 2 or 3, and using multiple reinforced outer spars to the rib supporting the outside end of the aileron.

All reads well informed but In fairness to others I have lept on in the past, citation is needed to back up your statements please.

[Trystan]

All reads well informed but In fairness to others I have lept on in the past, citation is needed to back up your statements please.

You're right, I mis-remembered:

Main members of the wing are the two main spars which support attachment of the wing to the fuselage and three auxiliary spars, one each supporting the aileron and flap and the other supporting the landing gear.

The two mains go to the end of the wing, both supporting the aileron mounting rib. The auxiliaries support the inner aileron hinge, flap, landing gear, and inner ammo bay rib.

http://rwebs.net/avhistory/history/p-47.htm is the quickest reference I can look up right now.

[Jaydog]

Coopes, here is some gun camera footage of a 190 attacking a P-47 at low level (where the 190 will easily out turn the 47). Both pilots appear to be good at their craft, but notice how little the P-47 is in frame in shooting position because of the turn. And at this level and apparent speed (judging from the clouds and visible ground) neither aircraft can pull more than probably 3 G's. It's interesting to note even given the on-paper maneuverability advantage the 190 pilot has to pull right into a stall to get his guns on the 47. I'm including the whole URL here because you can't include a timestamp in a YouTube reference. If you're interested in aerodynamics and numbers, this is a good video on P-47 performance.

https://youtu.be/KahHLtYlveQ?t=4378

Interesting clip....looks like that 190 had a short convergence to me as his first shots appeared to miss behind the P47 unless I was just seeing things