Quote:
Originally posted by PhantomKira:
I lost a wing off a P-38 under almost identical circumstances to those you describe. Straight and level cruise flight, no enemy around. No idea why that happened. Only happened once, though. Since then, I've routinely pulled maximum rate (possible at that speed, that is) turns at 300 MPH that should have had the thing coming apart at the seams, and it went merrily on its way. Hard to tell.
The "cracks" you're hearing are, according to the readme for 4.10, indications of overstress of the airframe, and resultant lower tolerances for the rest of the flight. They don't mean it'll come apart right now, but if you continue to push it hard, it'll eventually break. Example: 8G load Max - "crack" sound - Max G load now reduced to 6G. As I understood it, there is no visual indication.
Can this reduced tolerance happen and you not get a crack? (i.e. no warning)