A Flycatcher that persistently flew left-wing-low led test pilot Norman Macmillan to discover excessive movement in the tailplane mounting. Temporary bracing restored normal handling, and a permanent modification was then applied to the type. The Air Ministry required witnessed full-power dives to test the repaired structure, pushing the aircraft close to a terminal velocity beyond the period airspeed indicator's range. Fleet Air Arm pilots subsequently treated diving as a sport and used the type for dramatic converging attacks. Engine exhaust and propeller-tip effects made those dives visually and audibly memorable to spectators.
Chapter · 1:27:42-1:30:52
The Flycatcher turns a fleet fighter into a dive-bombing pioneer
A loose tailplane led to official full-power dive tests that proved the Flycatcher exceptionally strong and opened the way to aggressive fleet dive-bombing practice.