ORIGINAL: britbrat
ORIGINAL: 8178
If right thrust is so important to correct the spiral airflow impact any ideas why the P-51, the best propeller driven aircraft ever, has zero right thrust?
"The best propeller-driven aircraft ever", is a fairly wild & irrelevant statement.
However --------- with fighters, stability was (& is) a secondary consideration to agility. Right thrust can inhibit maneuverability, or introduce tracking problems at varying power settings. It was generally not part of the package in fighter stability fixes.
Most WWII fighters were a dangerous handfull at high AOA &/or at low speeds with sudden power application. The Luftwaffe lost more Bf 109's in take-off accidents than they did to enemy action.
The Griffon-powered Spitfires were completely unmanageable with sudden full throttle on take-off roll.
The Corsair was another killer with injudicious throttle application during take-off, or a missed approach.
Do you know of any full scale aircraft with right thrust? I have a friend with a Yak 52 and I do not think it has right thrust.