The Drag of Finite-Length Cylinders Determined From Flight Tests at High Reynolds Numbers for a Mach Number Range From 0.5 to 1.3 Page: 2 of 13
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TECH LIBRARY KAFB, NM
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LL NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AERONAUTICS 00188
TECHNICAL NOTE 2941
THE DRAG OF FINITE-LENGTE CYLINDERS DETERMINED FROM
FLIGHT TESTS AT HIGH REYNOLDS NUMBERS FOR A
MACH NUMBER RANGE FROM 0.5 TO 1.3
By Clement J. Welsh
SUMMARY
Results of a free-flight investigation to determine the drag of
circular, finite-length cylinders are presented for a Mach number range
from about 0.5 to 1.3. Fineness ratios of the cylinders tested were 15,
30, and 60. Results of previous experimental tests of circular cylinders
having infinite fineness ratios are included in this paper for comparison.
For supersonic speeds, the drag of circular cylinders is largely
independent of fineness ratio and Reynolds number. At subsonic Mach
numbers, the drag of finite-length cylinders (fineness ratios of about
60 and below) increases as their fineness ratios increase.
INTRODUCTION
Because of the interest that exists in the drag of circular cylinders
and because of the lack of experimental drag data for cylinders for Mach
numbers in the region of unity, the National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics has made some free-flight tests to determine the drag of
circular cylinders of finite fineness ratios at high Reynolds numbers.
Cylinders having fineness ratios of 15, 30, and 60 were tested in
free flight over a Mach number range from 0.5 to 1.3; the range of corre-
sponding Reynolds number based on cylinder diameter was from 1.25 x 100
to 7.25 x 105. The cylinders were mounted on test bodies in such a manner
as to minimize interference effects. The tests were conducted at the
Pilotless Aircraft Research Station at Wallops Island, Va.
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Welsh, Clement J. The Drag of Finite-Length Cylinders Determined From Flight Tests at High Reynolds Numbers for a Mach Number Range From 0.5 to 1.3, report, June 1953; (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc56717/m1/2/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.