This report describes test made in the Variable Density Wind Tunnel of the NACA to determine the possibility of controlling the boundary layer on the upper surface of an airfoil by use of the low pressure existing near the leading edge. The low pressure was used to induce flow through slots in the upper surface of the wing. The tests showed that the angle of attack for maximum lift was increased at the expense of a reduction in the maximum lift coefficient and an increase in the drag coefficient.
"Preliminary fatigue tests on two aluminum-alloy wing-beam specimens subjected to reversed axial loading are described. The motion used consists in incorporating one or two reciprocating motors in a resonance system of which the specimen is the spring element. A description is given of the reciprocating motors, and of the method of assembling and adjusting the vibrating system" (p. 1).
From Summary: "Results are given of pressure-distribution measurements made in flight over the right wing cellule and the right half of the horizontal tail surfaces of a dive-bombing biplane. Simultaneous measurements were also taken of the air speed, control-surface positions, control forces, and normal accelerations during various abrupt maneuvers in vertical plane. These maneuvers consisted of push-downs and pull-ups from level flight, dives and dive pull-ups from inverted flight. Besides the pressure measurements, flight tests were made to obtain (1) wing-fabric deflections during dives and (2) variation of the minimum drag coefficient with Reynolds Number."
Report presenting an investigation of the flow of ice-inhibiting fluids over the blade surfaces of a 12.5-foot-daimeter propeller in flight by discharging dyed fluids at various stations along the leading edges of the blades. The effects on the distribution of varying the fluid composition, the blade-surface roughness, and the orifice design were also observed.
Flight tests were made to demonstrate the particularity of employing fixed tabs in conjunction with a suitably designed differential linkage to reduce the force required to operate ailerons. The tests showed the system to be practicable with tabs of the inset type. The relative ineffectiveness of attached tabs for changing the aileron floating angle rendered them unsuitable. Experience gained in the investigation has indicated that the use of the system is limited to maximum deflections of one aileron relative to the other of less than 30 degrees and that the differential linkage should always be designed on the basis of the highest probable floating angle.
The flight path of a small parasol monoplane equipped with a special type of balanced split flap was determined for a series of glides during which the time taken to deflect or retract the flap was varied from 1 to 15 seconds in order to study the effect of the time taken to complete a flap movement on the motion of an airplane between the start of a flap movement and the attainment of steady flight with the new flap setting. For flap movements accompanied by a change of lift characteristics, and consequently of velocity, there is an appreciable delay in obtaining a desired change in glide angle even though the flap is operated instantaneously. Immediate control of the glide path is obtained only when the speed is maintained during the flap movement. When the speed is changed, the deviation from the desired path during the transition increases in proportion to the rapidity with which the flap is moved so that, with a high-lift flap, abrupt retraction at speeds less than the minimum speed with the flap retracted may be dangerous if practiced close to the ground.
"Data are presented to show the extent to which the maximum lift coefficient and consequently the minimum speed of an airplane, determined by flight tests, may vary with test conditions. The data show that cl-max may vary as much as 14 percent, depending on the altitude and wing loading at which the tests were made, the position or motion of the propeller, and the rate at which the angle of attack is changing when the maximum lift coefficient is obtained. The variation of the maximum lift coefficient with these factors, which are under the control of the test engineer, shows the need of standardizing the test procedure. A further variation is shown with wing conditions as affected by weathering and vibration, factors that cannot be completely controlled" (p. 1).
"The results of flight tests of four nose-slot cowling designs with several variations in each design are presented. The tests were made in the process of developing the nose-slot cowling. The results demonstrate that a nose-slot cowling may be successfully applied to an airplane and that it utilizes the increased slipstream velocity of low-speed operation to produce increased cooling pressure across the engine" (p. 1).
"A flight investigation was conducted to determine the lateral-control characteristics of retractable ailerons installed on a highly tapered wing. The effectiveness of the ailerons in producing roll was measured at various air speeds with full-span plain flaps both neutral and deflected 45 degrees. The direction of the yawing moment created by the ailerons was also noted. The lateral control provided by the retractable ailerons used in this investigation was approximately the same as that obtained with the plain ailerons of equal span with which the airplane was previously equipped" (p. 1).
Comparative flight tests were made with a small parasol monoplane in which the aerodynamic characteristics of the airplane were determined with the normal wing and with an auxiliary airfoil installed.
From Summary: "A preliminary investigation of the stalling processes of four typical airfoil sections was made over the critical range of the Reynolds Number. Motion pictures were taken of the movements of small silk tufts on the airfoil surface as the angle of attack increased through a range of angles including the stall. The boundary-layer flow also at certain angles of attack was indicated by the patterns formed by a suspension of lampblack in oil brushed onto the airfoil surface. These observations were analyzed together with corresponding force-test measurements to derive a picture of the stalling processes of airfoils."
"A resume of the equations and formulas for the forces and moments on an aircraft-engine mount is presented. In addition, available experimental data have been included to permit the computation of these forces and moments. A sample calculation is made and compared with present design conditions for engine mounts" (p. 1).
"The formulas given in this report provide a simplified method for the stress-analysis of fuselage bulkheads that are approximately circular rings of uniform cross section. Complicated load systems acting on a ring can usually be resolved into simplified load systems; and formulas for moment, axial force, and shear for such simplified load systems are given in this report. Illustrative examples showing the use of this method in practical stress-analysis work are also included" (p. 1).
Report presenting an investigation of 24 wing-tail combinations with the weight moved from the center of gravity toward the wing tips so that the distribution of mass along the wings was increased. Results regarding the effects of wings, effects of tail arrangement, effects of control setting, relationships between spin characteristics, and comparison with results for basic loading are provided.
Report presenting a study of eight wings and three tails covering a wide range of aerodynamic characteristics in 24 wing-tail combinations. Observations were made of the steady spin for four control settings and of recoveries for five control manipulations. The effect of wing shape, tail arrangement, control settings, relationships between spin characteristics, and comparison with results for basic loading are provided.
A series of tests was made at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) free-spinning tunnel to determine the effect of systematic changes in wing and tail arrangement upon steady-spinning and recovery characteristics of a conventional low-wing monoplane model for a basic loading condition. Eight wings and three tails, covering a wide range of aerodynamic characteristics, were independently ballasted so as to be interchangeable with no change in mass distribution. For each of the 24 wing-tail combinations, observations were made of steady spins for four control settings and of recoveries for five control manipulators. The results are presented in the form of charts comparing the spin characteristics. The results showed that, with a poor tail arrangement, wing plan form and tip shape had a considerable effect on the spinning characteristics.
"A solution for the equation of torsional vibration of tapered beams has been found in terms of Bessel functions for beams satisfying the following conditions: (a) the cross sections along the span are similar in shape; and (b) the torsional stiffness of a section can be expressed as a power of a linear function of distance along the span. The method of applying the analysis to actual cases has been described. Charts are given from which numerical values can be immediately obtained for most cases of practical importance. The theoretical values of the frequency ratio have been experimentally checked on five beams having different amounts of taper" (p. 1).
"The cost in mean effective pressure of generating air flow in the combustion chambers of single-cylinder compression-ignition engines was determined for the prechamber and the displaced-piston types of combustion chamber. For each type a wide range of air-flow quantities, speeds, and boost pressures was investigated. Supplementary tests were made to determine the effect of lubricating-oil temperature, cooling-water temperature, and compression ratio on the friction mean effective pressure of the single-cylinder test engine" (p. 1).
"An investigation was conducted to obtain fuel-consumption curves for a single-cylinder engine with a Wright 1820-G and Pratt & Whitney 1340-H cylinder at varying speeds, manifold pressures, and air-fuel ratios. The 1340- H cylinder was tested at speeds from 1,200 to 2,400 r.p.m. and at manifold pressures from 21 to 38 inches of mercury absolute. Less than extensive tests were made of the 1820-G cylinder. The results of the tests showed that the minimum brake fuel consumption was obtained when the engines were operating at high torques and at speeds from 60 to 70 percent of the rated speed" (p. 1).
"Drag tests were conducted in the N.A.C.A. full-scale wind tunnel on full-scale models of two Army Air Corps type A-6 landing lamps mounted on an 8 by 48 foot airfoil. Drag measurements were made with the lamps in the leading edge and attached to the lower surface at the 5 and 10 percent chord positions. The drag of the lamps when faired into the airfoil was also measured. The results show that at 100 miles per hour and at the angle of minimum drag of the airfoil the unaired lamps in the leading edge produced an increase in drag of 5.5 pounds and that the unaired lamps on the lower surface at either position increased the airfoil drag 22.5 pounds" (p. 1).
"The drag due to the various parts of a Fairchild (FC-2W2) cabin monoplane was measured at air speeds varying from 50 to 100 m.p.h., in the Twenty-Foot Propeller Research Tunnel of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. It was found that the largest drag was due to the radial air-cooled engine. The measured drag due to the landing gear was also large, being about 4/5 of that due to the engine" (p. 1).
This report presents the results of force and pressure-distribution tests on a 2:1 tapered USA 45 airfoil as determined in the full-scale wind tunnel. The airfoil has a constant-chord center section and rounded tips and is tapered in thickness from 18 percent at the root to 9 percent at the tip. Force tests were made throughout a Reynolds Number range of approximately 2,000,000 to 8,000,000 providing data on the scale effect in addition to the conventional characteristics. Pressure-distribution data were obtained from tests at a Reynolds Number of approximately 4,000,000. The aerodynamic characteristics given by the usual dimensionless coefficients are presented graphically.
Pressure-distribution tests were conducted in the full-scale wind tunnel on a 2:1 tapered U.S.A. 45 airfoil equipped with 20 percent chord split trailing-edge flaps of various spans. A special installation was employed in the tests utilizing a half-span airfoil mounted vertically above a reflection plane. The airfoil has a constant chord center section and rounded tips and is tapered in thickness from 18 percent c at the root to 9 percent c at the tip. The aerodynamic characteristics, given by the usual dimension less coefficients, are presented graphically as functions of flap span and angle of attack as well as by semispan load diagrams. The results indicate, in general, that only a relatively small increase in the normal-force coefficient is to be expected by extending the flap span of an airfoil-flap combination, similar to the one tested, beyond 70 percent of the wing span.
"A wing equipped with a Zap flap and Zap ailerons was tested on a Fairchild 22 airplane in the full-scale wind tunnel and in flight to determine the effect of the flaps and ailerons on the performance and the control characteristics of the airplane. The flaps were 0.30 of the wing chord and 0.83 of the wing span. Two sets of ailerons having equal areas but different proportions were tested, one set being 0.56 of the semispan and 0.18 of the chord and the other set being 0.46 of the semispan and 0.22 of the chord. The wind-tunnel tests showed that, when the ailerons and horizontal tail surfaces were removed, the flaps increased the maximum lift coefficient from 1.48 to 2.39" (p. 1).
"Full-scale wind-tunnel and flight tests were made of a Fairchild 22 airplane equipped with a Fowler flap to determine the effect of the flap on the performance and control characteristics of the airplane. In the wind-tunnel tests of the airplane with the horizontal tail surfaces removed, the flap was found to increase the maximum lift coefficient from 1.27 to 2.41. In the flight test, the flap was found to decrease the minimum speed from 58.8 to 44.4 miles per hour" (p. 1).
"Wind-tunnel and flight tests have been made of a Fairchild 22 airplane equipped with a wing having external-airfoil flaps that also perform the function of ailerons. Lift, drag, and pitching-moment coefficients of the airplane with several flap settings, and the rolling- and yawing-moment coefficients with the flaps deflected as ailerons were measured in the full-scale tunnel with the horizontal tail surfaces and propeller removed. The effect of the flaps on the low speed and on the take-off and landing characteristics, the effectiveness of flaps when used as ailerons, and the forces required to operate them as ailerons were determined in flight" (p. 1).
Some preliminary results of full scale wind tunnel testing to determine the best means of reducing the tail buffeting and wing-fuselage interference of a low-wing monoplane are given. Data indicating the effects of an engine cowling, fillets, auxiliary airfoils of short span, reflexes trailing edge, propeller slipstream, and various combinations of these features are included. The best all-round results were obtained by the use of fillets together with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) cowling.
Surveys of the air flow over the upper surface of four different airfoils were made in the full-scale wind tunnel to determine a satisfactory location for a fixed Pitot-static tube on a low-wing monoplane. The selection was based on small interference errors, less than 5 percent, and on a consideration of structural and ground handling problems. The most satisfactory location on the airfoils without flaps that were investigated was 10 percent of the chord aft and 25 percent of the chord above the trailing edge of a section approximately 40 percent of the semispan inboard of the wing tip. No satisfactory location was found near the wing when the flaps were deflected.
This report details the acceleration data collected from racing airplanes during actual races. The data was collected in order to make recommendations regarding the structural safety of racing airplanes and the methods of operating racing airplanes that reduces the probability of subjecting them to extreme air loads. The records do not lead to any conclusions regarding maximum air loads.
From Summary: "Results are presented of the drag tests of six bodies of revolution with systematically varying shapes and with a fineness ratio of 5. The forms were derived from source-sink distributions, and formulas are presented for the calculation of the pressure distribution of the forms. The tests were made in the N.A.C.A. variable-density tunnel over a range of values of Reynolds number from about 1,500,000 to 25,000,000. The results show that the bodies with the sharper noses and tails have the lowest drag coefficients, even when the drag coefficients are based on the two-thirds power of the volume. The data shows the most important single characteristic of the body form to be the tail angle, which must be fine to obtain low drag."
An investigation of gaseous explosive reactions is discussed in this report. Measurements were taken to calculate the maximum flame temperature attained and making correlations with existing thermal data on this reaction.
A general test was made in the N.A.C.A. tank of a 1/12-size model of the hull of the British Singapore IIC flying boat loaned by the Director of Research, British Air Ministry. The results are given in charts and are compared with the results of tests of a model of an American flying-boat hull, the Sikorsky S-40. The Singapore hull has a greater hump resistance but a much lower high-speed resistance than the S-40.
The results of a general tank test of a 1/6 full-size model of the hull of the P3M-1 flying boat (N.A.C.A. model 18) are given in non-dimensional form. In addition to the usual curves, the results are presented in a new form that makes it possible to apply them more conveniently than in the forms previously used. The resistance was compared with that of N.A.C.A. models 11-C and 26(Sikorsky S-40) and was found to be generally less than the resistance of either.
The results of a general tank test model 11-C, a conventional pointed afterbody type of flying-boat hull, are given in tables and curves. These results are compared with the results of tests on model 11-A, from which model 11-C was derived, and it is found that the resistance of model 11-C is somewhat greater. The effect of changing the plan form of the step on model 11-C is shown from the results of tests made with three swallow-tail and three pointed steps formed by altering the original step of the model. These results show only minor differences from the results obtained with the original model.
"A generalized method of analyzing experimental observations in problems of elastic stability is presented in which the initial readings of load and deflection may be taken at any load less the critical load. The analysis is an extension of a method published by Southwell in 1932, in which it was assumed that the initial readings are taken at zero load" (p. 1).
The gyroscopic instruments commonly used in instrument flying in the United States are the turn indicator, the directional gyro, the gyromagnetic compass, the gyroscopic horizon, and the automatic pilot. These instruments are described. Performance data and the method of testing in the laboratory are given for the turn indicator, the directional gyro, and the gyroscopic horizon. Apparatus for driving the instruments is discussed.
Note presenting the findings of a committee established to consider the general question of hazards to aircraft due to electrical phenomena and make recommendations as to what should be done to insure the least hazard. The two primary hazards focused on were electrostatic attraction to the earth and high-frequency discharges.
This report gives the results of an experimental determination of the temperature distribution in and the heat dissipation from a cylindrical finned surface for various fin-plane/air-stream angles. A steel cylinder 4.5 inches in diameter having slightly tapered fins of 0.30-inch pitch and 0.6 -inch width was equipped with an electrical heating unit furnishing 13 to 248 B.T.U. per hour per square inch of inside wall area. Air at speeds form 30 to 150 miles per hour was directed at seven different angles from 0 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to the fin planes. The tests show the best angle for cooling at all air speeds to be about 45 degrees. With the same temperature for the two conditions and with an air speed of 76 miles per hour, the heat input to the cylinder can be increased 50 percent at 45 degrees fin-plane/air-stream angle over that at 0 degrees.
The heat-transfer coefficients have been determined for five steel cylinders having fins 1.22 inches wide and the spacing between the fins ranging from 0.022 to 0.131 inch. The cylinders were tested with and without baffles in a wind tunnel; they were also tested enclosed in jackets with the cooling air supplied by a blower. A maximum heat transfer was reached at a fin space of about 0.45 inch for the cylinders tested with each of the three methods of cooling investigated. The rise in temperature of the air passing between the fins and the change in flow pattern were found to be important factors limiting the heat transfer that may be obtained by decreasing the fin space. The use of baffles for directing the air around the cylinders with closely spaced fins proved very effective in increasing the over-all heat-transfer coefficient, provided that the spacing was not appreciably less than that for maximum heat transfer.
Three models of V-bottom floats for twin-float seaplanes (N.A.C.A. models 57-A, 57-B, and 57-C) having angles of dead rise of 20 degrees, 25 degrees, and thirty degrees, respectively, were tested in the N.A.C.A. tank and in the N.A.C.A. 7- by 10-foot wind tunnel. Within the range investigated, the effect of angle of dead rise on water resistance was found to be negligible at speeds up to and including the hump speed, and water resistance was found to increase with angle of dead rise at planing speeds. The height of the spray at the hump speed decreased with increase in angle of dead rise and the aerodynamic drag increased with dead rise. Lengthening the forebody of model 57-B decreased the water resistance and the spray at speeds below the hump speed. Spray strips provided an effective means for the control of spray with the straight V sections used in the series but considerably increased the aerodynamic drag. Charts for the determination of the water resistance and the static properties of the model with 25 degrees dead rise and for the aerodynamic drag of all the models are included for use in design.
Report presenting testing of three models of V-bottom floats for twin-float seaplanes with varying angles of dead rise were tested in a tank and a wind tunnel. Results regarding the effect of angle of dead rise, height and amount of spray at hump speed, aerodynamic drag, effect of cross-sectional shape and load coefficients, and spray strips are provided.
Four models of outboard floats (N.A.C.A. models 51-A, 51-B, 51-C, and 51-D) were tested in the N.A.C.A. tank to determine their hydrodynamic characteristics and in the 20-foot wind tunnel to determine their aerodynamic drag. The results of the tests, together with comparisons of them, are presented in the form of charts. From the comparisons, the order of merit of the models is estimated for each factor considered. The best compromise between the various factors seems to be given by model 51-D. This model is the only one in the series with a transverse step.
Tests were made in the NACA tank and in the NACA 7 by 10 foot wind tunnel on two models of transverse step floats and three models of pointed step floats considered to be suitable for use with single float seaplanes. The object of the program was the reduction of water resistance and spray of single float seaplanes without reducing the angle of dead rise believed to be necessary for the satisfactory absorption of the shock loads. The results indicated that all the models have less resistance and spray than the model of the Mark V float and that the pointed step floats are somewhat superior to the transverse step floats in these respects. Models 41-D, 61-A, and 73 were tested by the general method over a wide range of loads and speeds. The results are presented in the form of curves and charts for use in design calculations.
The present tests illustrate how the aerodynamic drag of a flying boat hull may be reduced by following closely the form of a low drag aerodynamic body and the manner in which the extent of the aerodynamic refinement is limited by poorer hydrodynamic performance. This limit is not sharply defined but is first evidenced by an abnormal flow of water over certain parts of the form accompanied by a sharp increase in resistance. In the case of models 74-A and 75, the resistance (sticking) occurs only at certain combinations of speed, load, and trim and can be avoided by proper control of the trim at high water speeds.
"The hydrodynamic characteristics of a model of the hull of the Short Calcutta (N.A.C.A. Model 47) are presented in non-dimensional form. This model represents one of a series of hulls of successful foreign and domestic flying boats the characteristics of which are being obtained under similar test conditions in the N.A.C.A. tank. The take-off distance and time for a flying boat having the hull of the Calcutta are compared at two values of the gross load with the corresponding distances and times for the same flying boat having hulls of two representative American types, the Sikorsky S-40 and the N.A.C.A. 11-A" (p. 1).
A large number of tests were made on tubes of 1025 and 4130X steel, in various diameters and wall thicknesses, and after diverse heat treatments. The Rockwell B scale was employed, as being the best suited to the ranges of hardness encountered. Only satisfactory chrome molybdenum tubes were found to show a hardness in excess of 90-B after normalizing.
Seamless steel tubing is today the principal material of construction for aircraft. The commercial grade of tubing containing about 0.10 to 0.20% carbon at first used is being superseded by two grades which are approved by the army and navy, and which are also becoming standard for commercial airplanes.
Report presenting an examination of the phenomenon of knocking, which is often accompanied by an apparently simultaneous reaction of the last part of the charge to burn. Several hypotheses regarding the burning of fuel and an exploration of current literature regarding the phenomena are provided.
"A flight investigation was made of the increase in effectiveness of ailerons that can be obtained by preventing flow of air through the wing at the hinges and of the possibility of reducing the aileron operating force by replacing ailerons having normal open hinge gaps with narrower but equally effective ailerons having sealed hinge gaps. Tests were made with a Fairchild 22 airplane with two sizes of plain unbalanced ailerons, one set having a chord equal to 0.18c, and the other chord equal to 0.09c. The results of the investigation show that improvement of the lateral-control effectiveness is obtained by completely preventing the flow of air through the wing at the hinge axis of conventional ailerons" (p. 1).
"The increase in the frictional resistance of a surface caused by the presence of rivet heads was determined by towing four planing surfaces of the same dimensions. One surface was smooth and represented a surface without rivet heads or one with perfectly flush countersunk rivets. The other three surfaces were each fitted with the same number of full-size rivet heads but of a different type arranged in the same pattern on each surface" (p. 1).
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