ALBERT

Description: A systematic research program is being carried out in the Langley high-speed 7- by 10-foot tunnel to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of various arrangements of the component parts of research-type airplane models, including some complete model configurations. Data are being obtained on characteristics in pitch, sideslip, and during steady roll at Mach numbers from 0.40 to about 0.95. This paper presents results which show the effect of taper ratio on the aerodynamic characteristics in sideslip of wing-fuselage combinations having wings with a sweep of 45 degrees at the quarter-chord line, an aspect ratio of 4, and a NACA 65A006 airfoil section.

Description: The study of the hydrodynamic properties of planing bottom of flying boats and seaplane floats is at the present time based exclusively on the curves of towing tests conducted in tanks. In order to provide a rational basis for the test procedure in tanks and practical design data, a theoretical study must be made of the flow at the step and relations derived that show not only qualitatively but quantitatively the inter-relations of the various factors involved. The general solution of the problem of the development of hydrodynamic forces during the motion of the seaplane float or flying boat is very difficult for it is necessary to give a three-dimensional solution, which does not always permit reducing the analysis to the form of workable computation formulas. On the other had, the problem is complicated by the fact that the object of the analysis is concerned with two fluid mediums, namely, air and water, which have a surface of density discontinuity between them. The theoretical and experimental investigations on the hydrodynamics of a ship cannot be completely carried over to the design of floats and flying-boat hulls, because of the difference in the shape of the contour lines of the bodies, and, because of the entirely different flow conditions from the hydrodynamic viewpoint.

Description: An investigate ion was made of the disturbed motion of a gas for the harmonic vibrations of a thin slightly cambered wing of finite span moving forward with supersonic velocity. This problem was considered by E. A. Krasilshchikova who applied the method of Fourier series and obtained a solution of the space problem for the condition that the Mach cones drawn through the leading edge of the wing intersect the wing or are tangent to it. In this paper, a different method of solution is given, which is free from the previously mentioned condition. In particular, the vibrations of a triangular wing lying within the Mach cone are considered.

Description: Free-flight tests have been made to determine the zero-lift drag of several configurations of the XAAM-N-2 pilotless aircraft. Base-pressure measurements were also obtained for some of the configurations. The results show that increasing the wing-thickness ratio from 4 to 6 percent increased the wing drag by about 100 percent at M = 1.3 and by about 30 percent at M = 1.8. Increasing the nose fineness ratio from 5.00 to 6.25 reduced the drag coefficient of the wingless models a maximum of about 0.030 (10 percent) at M = 2.0. A corresponding change in nose shape for the winged models decreased the drag coefficient by about 0.05 in the Mach number range from 1.1 to 1.4; at Mach numbers greater than 1.6 no measurable reduction in drag coefficient was obtained. The drag of the present Sparrow fuselage is less than that of a parabolic fuselage which could contain the same equipment.

Description: A limited investigation of a 1/24-scale dynamically similar model of the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics DR-77 design was conducted in Langley tank no. 2 to determine the calm-water take-off and the rough-water landing characteristics of the design with particular regard to the take-off resistance and the landing accelerations. During the take-off tests, resistance, trim, and rise were measured and photographs were taken to study spray. During the landing tests, motion-picture records and normal-acceleration records were obtained. A ratio of gross load to maximum resistance of 3.2 was obtained with a 30 deg. dead-rise hydro-ski installation. The maximum normal accelerations obtained with a 30 deg. dead-rise hydro-ski installation were of the order of 8g to log in waves 8 feet high (full scale). A yawing instability that occurred just prior to hydro-ski emergence was improved by adding an afterbody extension, but adding the extension reduced the ratio of gross load to maximum resistance to 2.9.

Description: Static tests on a segment of a transpiration-cooled turbine rotor blade with a wire-cloth shell were conducted to determine the flow coefficients associated with some representative metering orifices. Average flow coefficients from 0.96 to 0.79 were obtained for orifices of 0.031 to 0.102 inch diameter.

Description: An investigation was conducted with a single combustor from a J47 turbojet engine using weathered aviation gasoline and several spark-plug modifications to determine altitude ignition, acceleration, and steady state operating characteristics. Satisfactory ignition was obtained with two modifications of the original opposite-polarity spark plug up to and including an altitude of 40,003 feet at conditions simulating equilibrium windmilling of the engine at a flight speed of 400 miles per hour. At a simulated altitude of 30,000 feet, satisfactory ignition was obtained over a range of simulated engine speeds. No significant effect of fuel temperature on ignition limits was observed over a range of fuel temperatures from 80 deg to -52 deg F. At an altitude of 30,000 feet, the excess temperature rise available for acceleration at low engine speeds was limited by the ability of the combustor to produce temperature rise, whereas at high engine speeds the maximum allowable turbine-inlet temperature became the restricting factor. Altitude operational limits increased from about 51,500 feet at 55 percent of rated engine speed to about 64,500 feet at 85 percent of rated speed. Combustion efficiencies varied from 59.0 to 92.6 percent over the range investigated and decreased with a decrease in engine speed and with an increase in altitude; higher efficiencies would have been obtained if lower altitudes had been investigated. Comparisons were made of the combustion efficiencies of weathered aviation gasoline and MIL-F-5616 fuel at altitudes of 30,000 and 40,000 feet. Combustion efficiencies obtained with MIL-F-5616 fuel were 8 percent higher at rated engine speed and 14 percent lower at 55 percent of rated speed than those obtained with weathered aviation gasoline.

Description: An investigation has been made at high subsonic speeds of the aerodynamic'characteristics in pitch and sideslip of a l/l4-scale model of the Grumman XF10F airplane with a wing sweepback angle of 42.5. The longitudinal stability characteristics (with the horizontal tail fixed) indicate a pitch-up near the stall; however, this was somewhat alleviated by the addition of fins to the side of the fuselage below the horizontal tail. The original model configuration became directionally unstable for small sideslip angles at Mach numbers above 0.8; however, the instability was eliminated by several different modifications.

Description: An investigation was made to determine the static longitudinal and lateral stability and control characteristics of a l/6-scale model of the revised Republic XF-84H airplane with and without the propeller operating. The model had a 40deg swept wing of aspect ratio 3.45 and was equipped with a thin, three-blade supersonic-type propeller. Modifications incorporated in the revised model included a raised horizontal tail, increased rudder size, wing fences at 65 percent semispan, and a modified wing leading edge outboard of the fences. The test results for flap-retracted and flap-deflected conditions indicated that the revised configuration should be satisfactory for most normal flight conditions provided the angle of attack does not exceed the angle for pitch-up. An abrupt pitch-up tendency of the model was evident for the zero thrust condition above approximately 15' angle of attack. Although the effects of power were destabilizing, power-on longitudinal stability was satisfactory through the angle-of-attack range for which the model was stable with zero thrust. Above the angle of attack for pitch-up, an uncontrollable left roll-off tendency would be expected with power on and slats retracted. Projection of wing slats or use of leading-edge chord-extensions with only the left extension drooped were found beneficial in controlling the roll-off tendency with power on; however the most effective means found was projection of only the left slat.

Description: A wind-tunnel investigation has been conducted to determine the stability and control characteristics of a full-size model of the Hughes MX-904 missile. Aerodynamic characteristics of the complete model through moderate ranges of angles of attack and yaw, with an additional test made through an angle of attack of 180 degrees, are presented. The effects of horizontal tail deflection are also included.