All,
When I look at this circular discussion ( if you take it all to the nth degree, using your handy backyard Cray, you will only ever wind up with an approximation of the answer) I am reminded of an Australian cartoon character, Ding Duck, in the Swamp series.
A cartoon, which was enlarged and graced the door of the then Dept. of Aviation ( or whatever the airstapo was then called) examination hall in Sydney showed the question: What are the four forces acting on an aircraft in flight.
The happless Ding's answer was: Lift, Weight, Thrust and the Department of Aviation.
Tootle pip !!