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  #7  
Old September 22nd 03, 10:52 PM
steve gallacci
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Hobo wrote:

If low wing loading is so important to a fighters maneaverability why
don't all fighters have big wings and thus low wing loading? What are
the drawbacks to big wings which make low wing loadings rare?

As many will observe, there is always a compromise between
drag/lift/speed. The best dogfighting wing plan/airfoil makes for a
lousy supersonic or economic cruise arrangement. There are ways to make
larger wings somewhat less draggy (swing wings/thin but very "flapped"
or variable airfoil wings) but even then there is absolute wetting area
drag which will still get you in those cases.