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Wind-tunnel tests of 10-foot-diameter autogiro rotors: Report presents the results of a series of 10-foot-diameter autogiro rotor models tested in the NACA 20-foot wind tunnel. Four of the models differed only in the airfoil sections of the blades, the sections used being the NACA 0012, 0018, 4412, and 4418. Three additional models employing the NACA 0012 section were tested, in which a varying portion of the blade near the hub was replaced by a streamline tube with a chord of about one-fourth the blade chord.
Some Effects of Argon and Helium Upon Explosions of Carbon Monoxide and Oxygen: Report presents the results of an investigation conducted to study the effects of the inert gases, argon and helium, upon flame speed and expansion ratio in exploding mixtures of carbon monoxide, oxygen and water. For the particular gas mixtures investigated the results show that: (1) With the possible exception of helium in small amounts the addition of inert gas always produces decreased flame speed and expansion ratio; (2) like volumes of argon and helium have very different effects upon flame speed but practically the same effect upon expansion ratio; and (3) the difference in the effect of these two gases upon speed is independent of the ratio of carbon monoxide to oxygen. A discussion of some possible modes by which inert gases may produce the observed effects is included.
Wind-Tunnel Investigation of Ordinary and Split Flaps on Airfoils of Different Profile: Report presents the results of wind tunnel tests of the Clark Y, the NACA 23012 and the NACA 23021 airfoils equipped with full-span ordinary flaps and with full-span simple split flaps. The principal object of the tests was to determine the characteristics of the airfoils with ordinary flaps and in addition, to determine the relative merits of the various airfoils when equipped with either ordinary flaps or with simple split flaps. The Clark Y airfoil was tested with 3 widths of ordinary flap, 10, 20, and 30 percent of the airfoil chord.
Air flow around finned cylinders: Report presents the results of a study made to determine the air-flow characteristics around finned cylinders. Air-flow distribution is given for a smooth cylinder, for a finned cylinder having several fin spacings and fin widths, and for a cylinder with several types of baffle with various entrance and exit shapes. The results of these tests show: that flow characteristics around a cylinder are not so critical to changes in fin width as they are to fin spacing; that the entrance of the baffle has a marked influence on its efficiency; that properly designed baffles increase the air flow over the rear of the cylinder; and that these tests check those of heat-transfer tests in the choice of the best baffle.
Further Studies of Flame Movement and Pressure Development in an Engine Cylinder: This report describes an investigation using a stroboscopic apparatus for observing flame movement through a large number of small windows distributed over the head of a spark-ignition engine in following flame spread with combustion chambers of different shapes at two engine speed and for a variety of spark-plug locations including single and twin ignition. The principal factors influencing flame movement in the engine are discussed, and the lack of reliable information regarding their separate effects upon the structure of the flame and its speed of propagation are emphasized.
Preliminary tests in the NACA free-spinning wind tunnel: Typical models and the testing technique used in the NACA free-spinning wind tunnel are described in detail. The results of tests on two models afford a comparison between the spinning characteristics of scale models in the tunnel and of the airplanes that they represent.
Turbulence factors of NACA wind tunnels as determined by sphere tests: Report presents the results of drag and pressure tests of spheres having diameters of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 inches in eight NACA wind tunnels, in the air ahead of the carriage in the NACA tank, and beneath an autogiro in flight .
The Forces and Moments Acting on Parts of the XN2Y-1 Airplane During Spins: "The magnitudes of the yawing moments produced by various parts of an airplane during spins have previously been found to be of major importance in determining the nature of the spin. Discrepancies in resultant yawing moments determined from model and full-scale tests, however, have indicated the probable importance of scale effect on the model. In order to obtain data for a more detailed comparison between full-scale and model results, flight tests were made to determine the yawing moments contributed by various parts of an airplane in spins. The inertia moment was determined by the usual measurement of the spinning motion, and the aerodynamic yawing moments on the fuselage, fin, and rudder were determined by pressure-distribution measurements over these parts of the airplane" (p. 305).
Vibration response of airplane structures: This report presents test results of experiments on the vibration-response characteristics of airplane structures on the ground and in flight. It also gives details regarding the construction and operation of vibration instruments developed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
Tests of 16 related airfoils at high speed: From Summary: "In order to provide information that might lead to the development of better propeller section, 13 related symmetrical airfoils were tested in the NACA high-speed wind tunnel for a study of the effect of thickness form on the aerodynamic characteristics. The thickness-form variables studies were the value of the maximum thickness, the position along the chord at which the maximum thickness occurs, and the value of the leading-edge radius. The tests were conducted through the low angle-of-attack range for speeds extending from 35 percent of that of sound to slightly in excess of the speed at which a compressibility burble, or breakdown of flow, occurs. The corresponding Reynolds number range is 350,000 to 750,000."
The physical effects of detonation in a closed cylindrical chamber: Detonation in the internal-combustion engine is studied as a physical process. It is shown that detonation is accompanied by pressure waves within the cylinder charge. Sound theory is applied to the calculation of resonant pressure-wave frequencies. Apparatus is described for direct measurement of pressure-wave frequencies. Frequencies determined from two engines of different cylinder sizes are shown to agree with the values calculated from sound theory. An outline of the theoretically possible modes of vibration in a right circular cylinder with flat ends is included. An appendix by John P. Elting gives a method of calculating pressure in the sound wave following detonation.
A Flight Investigation of the Lateral Control Characteristics of Short Wide Ailerons and Various Spoilers With Different Amounts of Wing Dihedral: This report presents the results of flight tests made to determine the lateral control characteristics of short wide ailerons and spoilers, as a consequence of the promise shown in wind-tunnel tests by these devices as means of obtaining lateral control, particularly at angles of attack above the stall. Several forms of spoilers, front-hinge, rear-hinge, plain retractable, and saw-tooth retractable were tested alone and in combination with the ailerons. The tests were made with several different amounts of wing dihedral so that the effect of the yawing moments of the different lateral control combinations, which varied from large negative to large positive values, could be evaluated. In conjunction with the tests, observations were made to throw some light on the feasibility of operating the airplane with two controls instead of the present three.
A description and test results of a spark-ignition and a compression-ignition 2-stroke-cycle engine: This report presents performance results of air cooled and water-cooled engines. The results obtained were sufficiently promising to warrant further investigation with fuel injection and spark ignition, with the same arrangement of inlet ports and exhaust valves at the bottom of the cylinder and the exhaust gases discharged through two poppet valves in the cylinder head. The displacement of the engine was 118 cubic inches. Optimum performance was obtained with the inlet air directed into the cylinder at an angle of 20 degrees to the radial.
Computation of the two-dimensional flow in a laminar boundary layer: A comparison is made of the boundary-layer flow computed by the approximate method developed by K. Pohlhausen with the exact solutions which have been published for several special cases. A modification of Pohlhausen's method has been developed which extends the range of application at the expense of some decrease in the accuracy of the approximations.
Improved airplane windshields to provide vision in stormy weather: This report presents the results of wind tunnel tests to determine possible improvements in the design of airplane windshields, particularly with respect to the pilot's vision from the cabin in stormy weather.
Wind-Tunnel Research Comparing Lateral Control Devices, Particularly at High Angles of Attack 12: Upper-Surface Ailerons on Wings With Split Flaps: "This report covers the twelfth of a series of tests conducted to compare different lateral control devices with particular reference to their effectiveness at high angles of attack. The present wind tunnel tests were made with two sizes of upper-surface ailerons on rectangular Clark Y wing models equipped with full span split flaps. The tests showed the effect of the upper-surface ailerons and of the split flaps on the general performance characteristics of the wings, and on the lateral controllability and stability characteristics" (p. 463).
The influence of tip shape on the wing load distribution as determined by flight tests: "Pressure measurements were made in flight on the right upper wing of an M-3 airplane. The effects of tip plan form, washout, and transverse camber were investigated with eight tip forms in unyawed conditions through the range of positive lift coefficients from zero lift to the stall. The conclusion is that the tip plan form does not influence the span distribution of the coefficients of normal force and moment. It is shown inferentially that temperature, humidity, and the aging of the wood and fabric wing structure used on the M-3 airplane have an appreciable influence on the load distribution" (p. 479).
Relative loading on biplane wings of unequal chords: It is shown that the lift distribution for a biplane with unequal chords may be calculated by the method developed in NACA Technical report no. 458 if corrections are made for the inequality in chord lengths. The method is applied to four cases in which the upper chord was greater than the lower and good agreement is obtained between observed and calculated lift coefficients.
Scale Effect on Clark Y Airfoil Characteristics From NACA Full-Scale Wind-Tunnel Tests: This report presents the results of wind tunnel tests conducted to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of the Clark Y airfoil over a large range of Reynolds numbers. Three airfoils of aspect ratio 6 and with 4, 6, and 8 foot chords were tested at velocities between 25 and 118 miles per hour, and the characteristics were obtained for Reynolds numbers (based on the airfoil chord) in the range between 1,000,000 and 9,000,000 at the low angles of attack, and between 1,000,000 and 6,000,000 at maximum lift. With increasing Reynolds number the airfoil characteristics are affected in the following manner: the drag at zero lift decreases, the maximum lift increases, the slope of the lift curve increases, the angle of zero lift occurs at smaller negative angles, and the pitching moment at zero lift does not change appreciably.
The Effect of Spray Strips on the Take-Off Performance of a Model of a Flying-Boat Hull: "The effect on the take-off performance of a model of the hull of a typical flying boat, Navy PH-1, of fitting spray strips of four different widths, each at three different angles, was determined by model tests in the NACA Tank. Spray strips of widths up to 3 percent of the beam improve the general performance at speeds near the hump and reduce the spray thrown. A downward angle of 30 degrees to 45 degrees in the neighborhood of the step seems most favorable for the reduction of the spray" (p. 523).
Tests of nacelle-propeller combinations in various positions with reference to wings 4: thick wing - various radial-engine cowlings - tandem propellers: This report is the fourth of a series giving the results obtained from wind tunnel tests to determine the interference lift and drag and propulsive efficiency of wing-nacelle-propeller combinations. Previous reports give the results of tests with tractor propellers with various forms of nacelles and engine cowlings. This report gives the results of tests of tandem arrangements of engines and propellers in 11 positions with reference to a thick wing.
Tests of Nacelle-Propeller Combinations in Various Positions with Reference to Wings 5: Clark Y Biplane Cellule - NACA Cowled Nacelle - Tractor Propeller: "This report is the fifth of a series giving the results obtained from wind tunnel tests on the interference drag and propulsive efficiency of nacelle-propeller-wing combinations. This report gives results of tests of an NACA cowled air-cooled engine nacelle with tractor propeller located in 12 positions with reference to a Clark Y biplane cellule" (p. 603).
Tests of nacelle-propeller combinations in various positions with reference to wings 6: wings and nacelles with pusher propeller: This report is the sixth of a series giving wind tunnel tests results on the interference drag and propulsive efficiency of nacelle-propeller-wing combinations. The present report gives the results of tests of a radial-engine nacelle with pusher propeller in 17 positions with reference to a Clark Y wing; tests of the same nacelle and propeller in three positions with reference to a thick wing; and tests of a body and pusher propeller with the thick wing, simulating the case of a propeller driven by an extension shaft from an engine within the wing. Some preliminary tests were made on pusher nacelles alone.
Analysis of 2-Spar Cantilever Wings With Special Reference to Torsion and Load Transference: "This paper deals with the analysis of 2-spar cantilever wings in torsion, taking cognizance of the fact that the spars are not independent, but are interconnected by ribs and other structural members. The principles of interaction are briefly explained, showing that the mutual relief action occurring depends on the "pure torsional stiffness" of the wing cross section. Various practical methods of analysis are outlined" (p. 45).
General equations for the stress analysis of rings: In this report it is shown that the shear, axial force, and moment at one point in a simple ring subjected to any loading condition can be given by three independent equations involving certain integrals that must be evaluated regardless of the method of analysis used. It is also shown how symmetry of the ring alone or of the ring and the loading about 1 or 2 axes makes it possible to simplify the three equations and greatly reduces the number of integrals that must be evaluated. Application of the general equations presented in this report to practical problems in the stress analysis of rings makes it possible to shorten, simplify, and systematize the calculations for both simple and braced rings. Three illustrative problems are included to demonstrate the application of the general equations to a simple ring with different loadings.
Wind-tunnel research comparing lateral control devices particularly at high angles of attack 13: auxiliary airfoils used as external ailerons: This is the thirteenth report on a series of systematic tests comparing lateral control devices with particular reference to their effectiveness at high angles of attack. The present wind tunnel tests were made to determine the most feasible locations for lateral control surfaces mounted externally to a rectangular Clark y wing.
The effect of baffles on the temperature distribution and heat-transfer coefficients of finned cylinders: This report presents the results of an investigation to determine the effect of baffles on the temperature distribution and the heat-transfer coefficient of finned cylinders. The tests were conducted in a 30-inch wind tunnel on electrically heated cylinders with fins of 0.25 and 0.31 inch pitch. The results of these tests showed that the use of integral baffles gave a reduction of 31.9 percent in the rear wall temperatures and an increase of 54.2 percent in the heat transfer coefficient as compared with a cylinder without baffles.
Some Factors Affecting Combustion in an Internal-Combustion Engine: "An investigation of the combustion of gasoline, safety, and diesel fuels was made in the NACA combustion apparatus under conditions of temperature that permitted ignition by spark with direct fuel injection, in spite of the compression ratio of 12.7 employed. The influence of such variables as injection advance angle, jacket temperature, engine speed, and spark position was studied. The most pronounced effect was that an increase in the injection advance angle (beyond a certain minimum value) caused a decrease in the extent and rate of combustion. In almost all cases combustion improved with increased temperature" (p. 125).
Experimental investigation of the Robinson-type cup anemometer: This report presents the results of wind tunnel tests on a Robinson-type anemometer. The investigation covered force measurements on individual cups, as well as static and dynamic torque measurements and calibrations on complete cup wheels. In the tests on individual cups 5 cup forms were used and in the measurements on complete cup wheels 4 cup wheels with 3 arm lengths for each cup wheel were tested. All the results are presented in graphical form.
Full-scale wind-tunnel tests of a PCA-2 autogiro rotor: This report presents the results of force tests on and air-flow surveys near PCA-2 autogiro rotor in the NACA full-scale wind tunnel. The force tests were made at three pitch settings and several rotor speeds; the effect of fairing protuberances on the rotor blade was determined. Induced downwash and yaw angles were determined at low tip-speed ratios in a plane 1 1/2 feet above the path of the blade tips. The results show that the maximum l/d of the rotor cannot be appreciably increased by increasing the blade pitch angle above about 4.5 degrees at the blade tip; that the protuberances on the blades cause more than 5 percent of the total rotor drag; and that the rotor center-of-pressure travel is very small.
The Measurement of the Field of View From Airplane Cockpits: "A method has been devised for the angular measurement and graphic portrayal of the view obtained from the pilot's cockpit of an airplane. The assumption upon which the method is based and a description of the instrument, designated a "visiometer", used in the measurement are given. Account is taken of the fact that the pilot has two eyes and two separate sources of vision. The view is represented on charts using an equal-area polar projection, a description and proof of which are given" (p. 167).
Potential Flow About Elongated Bodies of Revolution: "This report presents a method of solving the problem of axial and transverse potential flows around arbitrary elongated bodies of revolution. The solutions of Laplace's equation for the velocity potentials of the axial and transverse flows, the system of coordinates being an elliptic one in a meridian plane, are given. The theory is applied to a body of revolution obtained from a symmetrical Joukowsky profile, a shape resembling an airship hull" (p. 189).
Flight Investigation of Lateral Control Devices for Use With Full-Span Flaps: This report presents the results of flight tests made on five different lateral control devices that appeared adaptable to wings fitted with full span flaps: controllable auxiliary airfoils (airfoils mounted above and forward of the leading edge of the wings), external ailerons (airfoils mounted above the wing and slightly forward of its maximum ordinate), upper-surface ailerons (similar to split trailing-edge flaps except that they constitute the upper surface of the wing), ailerons that retract into the wing when in neutral, and narrow-chord conventional ailerons in combination with a special type of split flap that retracts into the under surface of the wing forward of the ailerons.
The drag of airplane wheels, wheel fairings, and landing gears 2: nonretractable and partly retractable landing gears: This is the second report giving the results obtained in the NACA 20-foot wind tunnel on the drag due to landing gears. The present report gives the results of tests of nonretractable and partly retractable landing gears intended for heavier low-wing monoplanes of the transport and bomber type.
Spinning characteristics of wings 1: rectangular Clark Y monoplane wing: "A series of wind tunnel tests of a rectangular Clark Y wing was made with the NACA spinning balance as part of a general program of research on airplane spinning. All six components of the aerodynamic force and moment were measured throughout the range of angles of attack, angles of sideslip, and values omega b/2v likely to be attained by a spinning airplane; the results were reduced to coefficient form. It is concluded that a conventional monoplane with a rectangular Clark y wing can be made to attain spinning equilibrium throughout a wide range of angles of attack but that provision of a yawing moment coefficient of -0.02 (against the spin) by the tail, fuselage, and interferences will insure against attainment of equilibrium in a steady spin" (p. 231).
A comparison of fuel sprays from several types of injection nozzles: This report presents the tests results of a series of tests made of the sprays from 14 fuel injection nozzles of 9 different types, the sprays being injected into air at atmospheric density and at 6 and 14 times atmospheric density. High-speed spark photographs of the sprays from each nozzle at each air density were taken at the rate of 2,000 per second, and from them were obtained the dimensions of the sprays and the rates of spray-tip penetration. The sprays were also injected against plasticine targets placed at different distances from the nozzles, and the impressions made in the plasticine were used as an indication of the distribution of the fuel within the spray. Cross-sectional sketches of the different types of sprays are given showing the relative sizes of the spray cores and envelopes. The characteristics of the sprays are compared and discussed with respect to their application to various types of engines.
An Analysis of Longitudinal Stability in Power-Off Flight With Charts for Use in Design: "This report presents a discussion of longitudinal stability in gliding flight together with a series of charts with which the stability characteristics of any airplane may be readily estimated. The relationships governing stability characteristics are derived from equations of equilibrium referred to moving axes that are tangent and perpendicular to the instantaneous flight path. It is shown that instability of the motion can arise only through an increase of linear and angular momentum in the system during one complete cycle" (p. 289).
The drag of airplane wheels, wheel fairings, and landing gears - 3: The tests reported in this report conclude the investigation of landing-gear drag that has been carried out in the NACA 20-foot wind tunnel. They supplement earlier tests (reported in Technical Report No. 485) made with full-scale dummy wheels, wheel fairings, and landing gears intended for airplanes of 3,000 pounds gross weight and include tests of tail wheels and tail skids.
The influence of wing setting on the wing load and rotor speed of a PCA-2 autogiro as determined in flight: Flight tests were made on PCA-2 autogiro with wing settings of 2.2 degrees, 0.9 degrees, and -0.5 degrees. The wing load and rotor speed were measured in steady glides. The results obtained show that a wide variation in rotor speed as a function of air speed can be obtained by a suitable adjustment of the wing setting; that by decreasing the wing setting the upper safe flying speed, determined by the decrease is rotor speed, is greatly increased; and that the interference of the wing on the rotor thrust and lift coefficients is negligible.
A Turbulence Indicator Utilizing the Diffusion of Heat: This report describes a method of determining the turbulence in wind tunnels. The effect of turbulence upon the diffusion of heat from a small electrically heated wire in an air stream was investigated. The turbulence of the stream was introduced by a series of geometrically similar screens placed one at a time across the upstream section of the tunnel. With the wire set at various distances from the screens, curves of temperature distribution were obtained by traversing the heated wake at a distance of 2 inches behind the wire with a small thermocouple.
Some effects of injection advance angle, engine-jacket temperature, and speed on combustion in a compression-ignition engine: "An optical indicator and a high-speed motion-picture camera capable of operating at the rate of 2,000 frames per second were used to record simultaneously the pressure development and the flame formation in the combustion chamber of the NACA combustion apparatus. Tests were made at engine speeds of 570 and 1,500 r.p.m. The engine-jacket temperature was varied from 100 degrees to 300 degrees F. And the injection advance angle from 13 degrees after top center to 120 degrees before top center. The results show that the course of the combustion is largely controlled by the temperature and pressure of the air in the chamber from the time the fuel is injected until the time at which combustion starts and by the ignition lag" (p. 343).
Noise From Two-Blade Propellers: "The two-blade propeller, one of the most powerful sources of sound known, has been studied with the view of obtaining fundamental information concerning the noise emission. In order to eliminate engine noise, the propeller was mounted on an electric motor. A microphone was used to pick up the sound whose characteristics were studied electrically. The distribution of noise throughout the frequency range, as well as the spatial distribution about the propeller, was studied. The results are given in the form of polar diagrams. An appendix of common acoustical terms is included" (p. 359).
Air flow in a separating laminar boundary layer: Report discussing the speed distribution in a laminar boundary layer on the surface of an elliptic cylinder, of major and minor axes 11.78 and 3.98 inches, respectively, has been determined by means of a hot-wire anemometer. The direction of the impinging air stream was parallel to the major axis. Special attention was given to the region of separation and to the exact location of the point of separation. An approximate method, developed by K. Pohlhausen for computing the speed distribution, the thickness of the layer, and the point of separation, is described in detail; and speed-distribution curves calculated by this method are presented for comparison with experiment.
Reduction of hinge moments of airplane control surfaces by tabs: This report presents the results of an investigation conducted in the NACA 7 by 10-foot wind tunnel of control surfaces equipped with tabs for reducing the control forces or trimming the aircraft. Two sizes of ordinary ailerons with several sizes of attached and inset tabs were tested on a Clark y wing. Tabs were also tested in combination with auxiliary balances of the horn and paddle types, and with a frise balance aileron.
A Flight Investigation of the Spinning of the F4B-2 Biplane with Various Loads and Tail Surfaces: "A flight investigation of the spinning of the F4B-2 single-seat fighter airplane was made for the purpose of finding modifications that would eliminate dangerous spin tendencies exhibited by this type of airplane in service. The effects on steady spins and on recoveries of changing the loading, enlarging the fin areas, changing the elevator plan form, and raising the horizontal surfaces, were determined" (p. 413).
Characteristics of the NACA 23012 airfoil from tests in the full-scale and variable-density tunnels: "This report gives the results of tests in the NACA full-scale and variable-density tunnels of a new wing section, the NACA 23012, which is one of the more promising of an extended series of related airfoils recently developed. The tests were made at several values of the Reynolds number between 1,000,000 and 8,000,000. The new airfoil develops a reasonably high maximum lift and a low profile drag, which results in an unusually high value of the speed-range index. In addition, the pitching-moment coefficient is very small" (p. 435).
The Effect of Water Vapor on Flame Velocity in Equivalent Carbon Monoxide and Oxygen Mixtures: This report presents the results of an investigation to study the effect of water vapor upon the spatial speed of flame in equivalent mixtures of carbon monoxide and oxygen at various total pressures from 100 to 780 mm.hg. These results show that, within this pressure range, an increase in flame speed is produced by increasing the mole fraction of water vapor at least as far as saturation at 25 degrees c., and that the rate of this increase is greater the higher the pressure. It is evident that water vapor plays an important part in the explosive oxidation of carbon monoxide; the need for further experimental evidence as to the nature of its action is indicated.
The Soap-Bubble Method of Studying the Combustion of Mixtures of Carbon Monoxide and Oxygen: This investigation is a detailed description of the soap-bubble, or constant-pressure, method as applied to the explosive oxidation of carbon monoxide. A series of values of the speed of flame in space in various mixtures of CO and O2 containing a constant percentage of water vapor was obtained by the constant-volume method. These results served as a guide in the perfection of the soap-bubble method.
Distribution and Regularity of Injection From a Multicylinder Fuel-Injection Pump: This report presents the results of performance test conducted on a six-cylinder commercial fuel-injection pump that was adjusted to give uniform fuel distribution among the cylinders at a throttle setting of 0.00038 pound per injection and a pump speed of 750 revolutions per minute. The throttle setting and pump speed were then varied through the operating range to determine the uniformity of distribution and regularity of injection.
Aerodynamic characteristics of a wing with Fowler flaps including flap loads, downwash, and calculated effect on take-off: From Summary: "This report presents the results of wind tunnel tests of a wing in combination with each of three sizes of Fowler flap. The purpose of the investigation was to determine the aerodynamic characteristics as affected by flap chord and position, the air loads on the flaps, and the effect of flaps on the downwash."

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