Editing Hawker Typhoon (section)

==Flight characteristics==
[[File:A Hawker Typhoon Mk IB of No. 486 Squadron RAF, 27 October 1943. CH11578.jpg|thumbnail|Hawker Typhoon Mk IB of No. 486 (NZ) Squadron in flight, in 1943]]
Flight Lieutenant Ken Trott flew Typhoons with 197 Squadron and recalled:

{{blockquote|Rather a large aircraft shall we say, for a single-engine fighter. Terrific power. Quite something to control. I liked it from the point of view of speed and being a very stable gun platform. You could come in on a target at 400 mph [{{cvt|400|mph|km/h|disp=out}}] and the thing was as steady as a rock.<ref name= "Darlow p. 49.">Darlow 2005, p. 49.</ref>}}

In early March 1943, at [[RAF Tangmere|Tangmere]], the then new Squadron Leader of 486 (NZ) Squadron, Des Scott, flew a Typhoon for the first time:

{{blockquote|She roared, screamed, groaned and whined, but apart from being rather heavy on the controls at high speeds she came through her tests with flying colours ... Applying a few degrees of flap we swung on down into the airfield approach, levelled out above the runway and softly eased down on to her two wheels, leaving her tail up until she dropped it of her own accord.

We were soon back in her bay by the dispersal hut, where I turned off the petrol supply cock. After a few moments she ran herself out and with a spit, sob and weary sigh, her great three-bladed propeller came to a stop. So that was it: I was drenched in perspiration and tired out...<ref name ="Scott 1983.">Scott 1983, pp. 15–17.</ref>}}

The performance limitations for speed were noted on the pilot's notes, published by the Air Ministry. [[Indicated airspeed]] for diving was set at {{convert|525|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. The Typhoon could, if needed, be flown at {{convert|300|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} with the cockpit "hood" open. Flight with undercarriage and flaps down could be made without incident, at the respective speeds of {{convert|210|and|155|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. Owing to stability problems, when the aircraft was carrying bombs, the speed could not exceed {{cvt|400|mph|km/h}}.<ref>Air Ministry 1945, p. 26 (I A and I B notes).</ref>

Notes for the management of the fuel system stated that indicated airspeeds (IAS) in excess of {{convert|380|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} were not advisable when fitted with auxiliary drop tanks. Tanks were jettisoned at about {{convert|200|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, but in an emergency, a release at {{convert|350|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} was permitted. Tanks were to be ejected in straight and level flight only.<ref>Air Ministry 1945, p. 12 (I A and I B notes).</ref> General flying ability was positive. The maximum climbing rate was {{convert|185|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} up to {{convert|16000|ft|m|abbr=on}} reducing speed by {{convert|3|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} per {{convert|1000|ft|m|abbr=on}} above this mark. In stability terms, the aircraft was stable "directionally" and "laterally" but slightly unstable longitudinally, except at high speed, when it was just stable. [[Aileron]] control was light and effective up to maximum speed, but at very low speed response was sluggish, particularly when carrying ordnance. The elevator control was rather light and should not be used harshly. There was a tendency to "tighten up" in a looping aircraft. If "black out" conditions were accidentally induced in steep turns or aerobatics, the control column was to be pushed forward "firmly".<ref>''Air Ministry'' 1945, p. 18 (I A and I B notes).</ref>

Stalling speeds were quite low. The typical Typhoon trait, as with most aircraft at the time, was to drop a wing sharply with flaps either up or down. The stalling speeds varied. The various loads depended on external fittings. All-up weight plus two {{convert|500|lb|abbr=on}} bombs ({{cvt|12,155|lb|kg|disp=or}} in total) with flaps up could induce a stall at {{cvt|90|–|100|mph|km/h}}. With flaps down, stall was initiated at {{cvt|70|–|75|mph|km/h}}. Normal all-up weight ({{cvt|11,120|lb|kg|disp=or}}) would see stall at {{cvt|80–90|mph|km/h|abbr=values}} and {{cvt|65–70|mph|km/h}} respectively. With all ammunition and nearly all fuel expended ({{cvt|9,600|lb|kg|disp=or}}) stall occurred at {{cvt|75–80|mph|km/h|abbr=values}} and {{cvt|65–70|mph|km/h}}.<ref>''Air Ministry'' 1945, p. 19 (I A and I B notes).</ref>