ALBERT

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: 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: 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.

Description: A ditching investigation of a model of the Convair-Liner airplane was made to observe the behavior and determine the safest procedure for making an emergency water landing. The ditching model was designed and constructed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Design information on the airplane was furnished by the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation. A three-view drawing of the airplane is shown. The investigation was made in calm water at the Langley tank no. 2 monorail.

Description: An investigation has been made in the Langley gust tunnel with two identical airplane models approximating 1/40-scale models of the B-29, coupled in tandem with a boom so that the individual centers of gravity were equidistant from the single coupling joint at the tail of the lead airplane. Time histories of the boom joint load were obtained as the models were flown through a gust. The results indicate that on a similar configuration involving airplanes the size of B-29 airplanes a load on the boom joint of 10,000 to 14,000 pounds could be induced by encountering a gust of 50 feet per second and having a gradient distance of 17 chords, at a forward speed of 380 feet per second and that the total load is extremely sensitive to the steadiness of flight that can be maintained with or without a gust. It is felt that the results are probably satisfactory to show order of magnitude, but it does not appear possible that a precise determination of the joint load that would be applicable to the full-scale airplanes can be obtained by gust-tunnel tests.

Description: Flight tests have been conducted on rocket-propelled models of an airplane configuration incorporating a sweptback wing with inverse taper to investigate the drag, stability, and control characteristics at transonic and supersonic speeds. The models were tested with a conventional tail arrangement in the Mach number range from 0.55 to 1.2. In addition to the various aerodynamic parameters obtained, the flying qualities were computed for a full-scale airplane with the center-of-gravity location at 18 percent of the mean aerodynamic chord. Also, included in this investigation are drag measurements made on relatively simple fixed-control models tested with both conventional and V-tail arrangements.

Description: An experimental investigation of the variation of aileron rolling effectiveness and total drag with Mach number has been made using 1/6-scale rocket-propelled models of the Bell MX-776. Three models having constant-chordwise-thickness full-span aileron at approximate deflections of 2 deg, 5 deg, and 15 deg have been flown. Positive control effectiveness over the Mach number range between approximately 0.5 and 1.2 was obtained from the models and no indication of reversal of effectiveness was encountered. The ratio of tip helix angle to aileron deflection indicated a decrease in proportional rolling effectiveness with increasing deflections in the Mach number range from approximately 0.7 to 1.0. A drag rise of about 125 percent in the transonic region between Mach numbers of 0.85 and 1.02 followed by a gradual decrease at higher speeds was revealed.

Description: An investigation of a 1/24-scale dynamically similar model of the Boeing B-47 airplane was made to determine the ditching characteristics and proper ditching technique for the airplane. Various conditions of damage, landing attitude, flap setting, and speed were investigated. The behavior of the model was determined from visual observations, motion-picture records, and time-history deceleration records. The results of the investigation are presented in table form, photographs, and curves. The airplane should be ditched at the lowest speed and highest attitude consistent with adequate control; the flaps should be full down. The airplane will probably make a deep but fairly smooth run. The fuselage bottom will be damaged and partially filled with water; consequently, crew members should be assigned ditching stations near an exit in the upper or forward part of the fuselage. The nacelles may be expected to be torn away from the wing. In calm water the maximum decelerations will be about 3g and the landing run will be about 6 fuselage lengths.