The theory of characteristics will be presented generally for quasilinear differential equations of the second order in two variables. This is necessary because of the manifold requirements to be demanded from the theory of characteristics.

This paper includes the following topics: 1) Characteristic differential equations; 2) Treatment of practical examples; 3) First example: Diffuser; and 4) Second Example: Nozzle.

Contents include the following: Characteristic differential equations - initial and boundary conditions. Integration of the second characteristic differential equations. Direct application of Meyer's characteristic hodograph table for construction of two-dimensional potential flows. Prandtl-Busemann method. Development of the pressure variation for small deflection angles. Numerical table: relation between deflection, pressure, velocity, mach number and mach angle for isentropic changes of state according to Prandtl-Meyer for air (k = 1.405). References.

In an attempt to follow the time rate of change of the processes in turbulent flows by quantitative measurements the measurement of the pressure is often beset with insuperable difficulties for the reason that the speeds and hence the pressures to be measured are often very small. On the other hand, the measurement of very small pressures requires, at least, considerable time, so that the follow-up of periodically varying processes is as goad as impossible. In order to obviate these difficulties a method, suggested by Prof. Prandtl, has been developed by which the pressure distribution is simply determined from the photographic flow picture.

From preface: "This issue of the Manual of Fire-Loss Prevention, the first edition of which was published in 1934, includes revisions and additions made in part to cover improvements in the past 10 years in methods of preventing and controlling fires. Such methods remain dependent largely on the elimination of preventable fires and abatement of loss from those that originate, by the use of appropriate designs and materials in building construction and the installation of applicable fire alarm and extinguishing equipment, to the extent justified by the hazard" (p. ii).

Report presenting an investigation using a 4600 pound-thrust turbojet engine as part of a program to determine the comparative performance of fuels conforming to specifications AN-F-58 and AN-F-32. Results regarding the altitude performance, altitude low-speed blow-out limits, idling limits of fuel-metering control, altitude windmilling starts, carbon-deposition rates, and iron oxide contamination are provided.

Memorandum presenting a preliminary investigation to determine the effects of alpha-particle bombardment on the creep rate of aluminum wire at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The alpha radiation from an 85-millicurie polonium source appeared to decrease slightly the creep rate of the aluminum.

Report presenting a flight investigation to determine the comparative performance of AN-F-58 and AN-F-32 fuels in a 4000-pound-thrust turbojet engine. The fuels were equivalent over the range of conditions investigated. Results regarding corrected net thrust, corrected jet-fuel consumption, variation of corrected tail-pipe temperature, combustor blow-out speeds, and visual observations of the jet exhaust are provided.

"A method is described by which the total temperature of the gases at the combustion-chamber outlet of a ram-jet engine may be determined from the loss in total pressure measured across the combustion chamber. A working chart is presented by means of which the ratio of the total temperature of the gases at the combustion-chamber outlet to the total temperature of the gases at the combustion-chamber inlet may be determined from the measured loss of total pressure across the combustion chamber and the known values of air flow, total pressure, and total temperature at the combustion-chamber inlet. Values of total-temperature ratio across the combustion chamber of a 20-inch ram jet were obtained in the Cleveland altitude wind tunnel over a range of pressure altitudes from 6000 to 15,000 feet" (p. 1).

Report discussing testing on a series of tapered swept wings under conditions simulating rolling flight. The lift, longitudinal-force, and pitching-moment characteristics for three swept wings are provided. The results indicated that a decrease in taper ratio on a swept wing caused a small decrease in damping in roll at low and moderate lift coefficients.

"It is shown that for velocities slightly in excess of sonic, the position of detached shock wave located in front of a given body at zero angle of attack may be estimated theoretically to a reasonable degree of accuracy. In case of bodies of revolution the result was simple, but for two-dimensional bodies, pressure coefficient varies with Mach number, and slight difficulty appears. Theory developed compares favorably with available experimental data" (p. 1).

Report presenting a wind tunnel investigation to determine the downwash angles, dynamic pressure loss, and wake width behind wings with sweep angles of 45, 30, and 0 degrees. Results indicated that the spanwise distribution of downwash was affected by sweep in a manner similar to span loading, increased toward the root by sweepforward and toward the tip by sweepback.

Report presenting an investigation to determine the lift, drag, and pitching-moment characteristics of the NACA 0010 and 0010-64 airfoil sections at Mach numbers up to 0.91 and for a range of Reynolds numbers.

From Introduction: "Analyses that provide a basis for comparing the centrifugal-stress distributions inherent in jet-engine turbine blades of several designs currently in use were therefore made and are presented."

Report presenting an experimental investigation to determine the vibration characteristics of loosely mounted turbine blades during service operation of a turbojet engine. High-temperature strain gages were used to measure turbine-blade vibrations. Results regarding oscillograph records, critical speeds and frequencies, vibratory-stress levels, and effect of tightening the blade mount are provided.

Report presenting an investigation in the stability tunnel to determine the effect of airfoil profile on symmetrical sections on the static- and yawing-stability derivatives of three untapered wings of 45 degrees sweepback. All of the wings had an aspect ratio of 2.61. Results regarding the characteristics in straight flow, yawing flow, and drag index are provided.

From Summary: "An investigation of a heated jet was conducted in conjunction with tests of an axial-flow jet-propulsion engine in the Cleveland altitude wind tunnel. Pressure and temperature surveys were made across the jet 10 and 15 feet behind the jet-nozzle outlet of the engine. Surveys were obtained at pressure altitudes of 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, and 40,000 feet with test-section velocities from 30 to 110 feet per second and test-section temperatures from 60 F to -50 F. From measurements taken throughout the operable range of engine speeds, tail-pipe outlet temperatures from 500 F to 1250 F and jet velocities from 400 to 2200 feet per second were obtained."

Report presenting an investigation with a ram-jet combustion chamber to determine the effect of fuel-air ratio and the inlet-air parameters of pressure, temperature, and velocity on combustion limit, combustion efficiency, and flame length.

Memorandum presenting the results of a wind-tunnel investigation of the low-speed characteristics of horizontal tails of aspect ratio 3 with unswept and swept-back plan forms. Two models were tested which had identical areas, aspect ratio, taper ratio, and airfoil section, differing only in the angle of sweepback and elevator area ratios. The major effect of sweepback was to increase the rate of change of hinge-moment coefficient with angle of attack, to reduce the rate of change with elevator deflection, and to reduce the elevator effectiveness.

Contains results of tunnel tests to determine effects of various combinations of split flaps, slats, and nose slats on the stability characteristics of a tapered 37.5 degree sweptback wing of aspect ratio 3 in straight and rolling flow.

Report presenting the effects of fuel properties and change in simulated engine operating conditions on carbon deposition in an annular turbojet combustor. The fuel properties examined included specific gravity, volumetric average boiling temperature, hydrocarbon type, and hydrogen-carbon weight ratio. The fuels included hydrocarbons of the paraffinic, olefinic, and aromatic types as well as fuel mixtures.

Report presenting an investigation of the performance of a single can-type combustor designed for a turbojet engine equipped with an 11-stage axial-flow compressor and a single-stage turbine. The investigation was conducted to determine the altitude operational limits of the engine for two fuels, combustion efficiencies at various simulated conditions of altitude and engine speed, combustor-outlet temperature distribution for several altitudes at constant engine speed, and combustor total-pressure drop.

Report presenting an investigation to determine the possibility of delaying at moderate or large lift coefficients the onset of the abrupt supercritical drag rise of an airfoil section by the use of camber. Results indicated that the addition of camber to the NACA 0010 airfoil leads to significant improvements in the drag characteristics at moderately supercritical speeds .

Report presenting results of an experimental investigation to determine the temperature distribution in an aircraft-engine gas-turbine disk. Calculated stresses based on the measured temperature distributions are presented. Results regarding stresses in the inner region of the disk and stresses in the rim of the disk are provided.