A question about use of flap.
My (incomplete) reading of the vast report suggests flap on the Hunter could be deployed to 38' up to 300Kts, above that speed it progressively stows aerodynamically but can cause slippage of trim clutches suffiicient to give control problems (I'm paraphrasing here).
Why then would AH have flown the bent loop with flap deployed? Do we know when flap was deployed? His entry speed gate was 350Kts, apparently well above the limiting speed quoted. Or am I misunderstanding something?
The test pilot who researched the bent loop also referred to flaps stating various 'notches' selected so this is presumably normal but no mention (that I found) made of the speed limitation. Is flap avaiable incrementally between 'notches' or is ir notch one or two only?
If you decided to fly the manoeuvre slower in order to make it more compact knowing the display area was limited in size might you extemporise by using flap and a lower speed?
Thoughts?