Spitfire pitot heating can't handle -12'C at speed (but fly slow for a minute, ice "melts", pitot works again), it can handle -3'C

[-0303-]

Not bug report. Maybe this is how it should work.

 

Flew distance (time-accelerate) Batumi - Sochi Adler, 2850 rpm, 7 boost, speed ~280mph (~230 knots). Temp set -12'C (as cold as settable). Pitot heat on. Below 5000 feet.

 

Same trip, -3'C, IAS works all the way. But at -12'C it malfunctions at Sochi arrival. But (as headline says), fly slow ~100 knots (80-100 mph) for 1-2 minutes and IAS works again.

 

So interpretation could be: pitot heating too weak at -12'C, 280 mph but slowing down reduces wind factor and pitot tube ice melts. One can see how needle drops while flying slow.

 

To eliminate time-accelerate weirdness, I kept speed up (~280mph) circling the field for 5 minutes in real time and noted IAS did not fix itself until I slowed down.

~

 

Attached a track. 99.5% sure install is 'kosher'. No mods, only thing is MB-339A & A-4E installed "SAVED GAMES" folder but they're not activated here.

 

spit_cold_pitot.trk

Edited March 6, 2021 by -0303-

[grafspee]

Well known issue, i think someone said that issue will be attended  after new weather system will be introduced.

As far as i know all warbirds are affected.

Edited March 6, 2021 by grafspee