"A summary and analysis have been made of the results of various investigations to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of a supersonic aircraft configuration. The configuration has a wing with 40 degree sweepback at the quarter-chord line, aspect ratio 4, taper ratio 0.5, and 10-percent-thick circular-arc sections normal to the quarter-chord line. Experimental data were available for a Mach number range from 0.16 to 2.32. Results obtained from wing-flow, rocket-model, transonic-bump, and tunnel tests are presented and, where possible, are supplemented by empirical and theoretical calculations" (p. 1).

A preliminary investigation was conducted to determine the combustion characteristics of a fuel composed of 50 percent pentaborane and 50 percent JP-4 (MIL-F-5624A) by weight in a turbojet combustor. A combustor designed to fit the housing of a J33-A-23 turbojet engine was selected for convenience. The fuel was evaluated at two engine conditions simulating altitudes of 40,000 and 57,000 feet, an engine speed of 85 percent of rated rpm, and a flight Mach number of 0.6. The pentaborane blend was initially evaluated in combustors developed for pure pentaborane and diborane reported in NACA RM E53B18 and RM E52L15. The performance of the blend was unsatisfactory in these combustors. A new combustor was then developed which provided combustor efficiencies measured from 91 to 101 percent as compared with efficiencies of 92 to 94 percent previously obtained for pentaborane at comparable conditions. Additional refinements of design details are needed to obtain lower oxide deposits and a more uniform outlet temperature profile; however, the combustor is believed to incorporate some of the design principles required to obtain satisfactory over-all performance with the fuel blend investigated.

Report presenting an investigation on a supersonic scoop inlet derived from a conical spike nose inlet at Mach numbers of 1.3, 1.6, and 1.9. The pressure recoveries of both inlets were similar. Results regarding the pressure drag, amounts of boundary-layer suction, and comparison of the inlets under several conditions are provided.

"A metallographic microscope was developed with provision for heating a specimen to 1800 F in protective atmospheres, that is, vacuum or gas. A special objective was constructed of reflecting elements with an unusually long working distance (7/16 in.) and a high numerical aperture (0.5). Changes in specimen microstructure were observed and recorded on 35-millimeter motion-picture film. The resulting pictures were projected as motion pictures and individual frames were cut and enlargements made for close observation" (p. 1).

Report presenting an investigation using the NACA wing-flow method at transonic speeds to determine the contributions of wing, tail, and fuselage to the aerodynamic characteristics of a semispan airplane model with a long slender fuselage and straight wing and tail of low aspect ratio with faired symmetrical double-wedge airfoil sections 4.6 percent of the chord in thickness. Results regarding the drag, pitching moment, downwash, and lift are provided.

"During the acceptance tests of the Bell X-5 airplane, measurements of the static stability and control characteristics and horizontal-tail loads were obtained by the NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station. The results of the stability and control measurements are presented in this paper. A change in sweep angle between 20 deg and 59 deg had a minor effect on the longitudinal trim, with a maximum change of about 2.5 deg in elevator deflection being required at a Mach number near 0.85; however, sweeping the wings produced a total stick-force change of about 40 pounds" (p. 1).

A set of propeller operating efficiency charts, based on a coefficient from which the propeller rotational speed has been eliminated, is presented. These charts were prepared with data obtained from tests of full-size metal propellers in the NACA propeller-research tunnel. Working charts for nine propeller-body combinations are presented, including results from tests of dual-rotating propellers. These charts are to be used in the calculation of the range and the endurance of airplanes equipped with constant-speed propellers in which, for given flight conditions, it is desired to determine the propeller revolution speed that gives the maximum ratio of the propulsive efficiency to the specific fuel consumption. The coefficient on which the charts are based may be written in the form of a thrust coefficient or a thrust-power coefficient. A method of using the charts is outlined and sample computations for a typical airplane are included.

"The high-speed photographic investigation of the mechanics of spark-ignition engine knock recorded in three previous reports has been extended with use of the NACA high-speed camera and combustion apparatus with a piezoelectric pressure pickup in the combustion chamber. The motion pictures of knocking combustion were taken at the rate of 40,000 frames per second. Existence of the preknock vibrations in the engine cylinder suggested in Technical Report no.727 has been definitely proved and the vibrations have been analyzed both in the high-speed motion pictures and the pressure traces" (p. 223).

Report presenting information regarding transient oscillations observed in response to elevator pulses of the Douglas D-558-I airplane at a range of Mach numbers and altitudes. An application of the Fourier transform was used to obtain the frequency-response characteristics. The effects of lift coefficient on the frequency response are also included.

Report presenting an investigation in the transonic blowdown tunnel at a range of Mach numbers to determine the increments in lift, drag, and pitching moments due to the installation of a semielliptical-shaped air inlet in the root of a 45 degree sweptback wing and to study the internal flow characteristics of the inlet. Results regarding the internal pressure measurements, effect of inlet installation on external aerodynamic characteristics, effect of boundary-layer removal on internal pressure recovery, and inlet performance are provided.

From Summary: "Modifications A and B of impeller model MFI-1 and A, B, and C of impeller model MFI-2 were investigated experimentally in an attempt to determine what allowance in blade height should be made for boundary layer and viscous losses in an impeller designed for isentropic compressible flow. A gradual increase in blade height was arbitrarily made from inlet to outlet in anticipation of a gradual build-up of boundary layer. Apparently there was a rapid build-up of boundary layer near the inlet in the experimental case rather than a gradual one. Therefore, the proper allowance for boundary layer cannot be described from the data obtained."

Report presenting testing of supersonic compressor blades with rounded leading edges with an 8-percent mean thickness-chord ratio and a solidity of about 2.5 were incorporated in a 16-inch-diameter rotor with and without guide vanes. Results regarding the overall performance, rotor-blade-element performance, and rotor without guide vanes are provided.

It is demonstrated that the temperature profiles of jets expanding into a supersonic stream are considerably smaller than the temperature profiles of jets expanding into quiescent air. The effect on the wake of varying afterbody geometry is shown to be small. The gross spreading characteristics of jets expanding from convergent and convergent-divergent nozzles in the base of a body of revolution with various boattail configurations at a Mach number of 1.91 are presented.

Report presenting a free-fall investigation of airplanes in the transonic range using a configuration with 45 degree sweptback wing and tail surfaces. The lift, drag, and longitudinal static and dynamic stability and control characteristics were obtained at a range of operating lift coefficients and Mach numbers.

Report presenting an investigation to determine the feasibility of utilizing a reduced-chord rotor blading on the two-stage turbine of the J73 turbojet engine in order to reduce the weight. The turbine was operated as a component over a range of speeds and overall pressure ratios at turbine-inlet conditions corresponding to 35 inches of mercury absolute and 700 degrees R. Results regarding the overall performance, performance map, and peak efficiency are provided.

Memorandum presenting an investigation made at Mach numbers of 1.62 and 1.93 to determine the lift effectiveness and average downwash characteristics of several in-line missile configurations with rectangular and triangular tail plan forms. Breakdown tests were made for combinations of a body and four wing plan forms and two tail plan forms. Results regarding lift and drag results, pitching-moment results, and integrated downwash effects are provided.

Report presenting an investigation in a free-jet facility of a ramjet engine with an experimental 48-inch-diameter combustor. Three combustor lengths, three lengths of the shroud which separated the bypass air from the burning stream, and four fuel-distribution systems were investigated over a range of fuel-air ratios and a range of engine air flows. Results regarding the engine performance and ignition data, effect of fuel profile on combustion efficiency, total-pressure ratio, and distribution of static pressure in the main air stream are provided.

Report presenting a Bendix-Friez Aerovane Anenometer oscillated in the streamwise direction at several frequencies for each of several low wind-tunnel airspeeds. Records of the displacement of the anenometer and velocity indicated by the instrument during oscillation are provided. The over-registration of this anenometer was found to be much smaller than predicted by theory.

Report presenting an investigation made to improve compressor performance by bleedoff of detrimental boundary layer through a porous compressor casing. The results were compared to the performance characteristics of the original engine. Bleedoff was found to increase the efficiency of the compression process, but the overall performance of the turbojet suffered.

Report presenting an investigation to determine the low-speed lateral characteristics of a triangular-wing airplane model. The model consisted of an aspect ratio 2 triangular wing in combination with a fuselage of fineness ratio 12.5, a thin, triangular, vertical tail with a constant-chord rudder, and a thin, unswept, all-movable horizontal tail.

Report presenting some preliminary time-history results of maneuvers performed during US Air Force squadron operations with an F-86A jet-fighter airplane. The information covers a speed range from stall to 530 mph-indicated airspeed and pressure altitudes varying from sea level to approximately 25,000 feet.

From Summary: "Data obtained from the NACA air-launched ram-jet program are summarized with emphasis placed upon the transonic propulsive thrust potential of the engines. Data are presented for boosted and non-boosted engine configurations which incorporate a single-oblique-shock or double-oblique-shock diffuser designed for critical inlet operation at flight Mach numbers of 1.8 and 2.4, respectively. The engines are evaluated in terms of flight Mach number, mass-flow ratio, diffuser pressure recovery, combustion-chamber heat release, propulsive thrust, external drag, and specific impulse. From specific impulse considerations, it appears that for some air-launched missile applications the self-accelerating supersonic ram jet may have a lower gross weight than a rocket-boosted ram jet."

Report presenting a low-speed investigation to determine the lateral static and rotary derivatives of a model of a high-speed fighter airplane. The purpose was to compare experimental stability derivatives with derivatives estimated for a wing-fuselage combination, a vertical- and horizontal-tail combination, and a complete model.

From Summary: "An investigation was conducted in the 8-by-6 foot supersonic wind tunnel on the effect of exhaust-gas temperatures on the external and internal characteristics of a convergent-divergent nozzle having an area expansion ratio of 1.83. Data were obtained over a pressure-ratio range from 1 to 20 at free-stream Mach numbers of 1.6 and 2.0 for exhaust temperatures of 860 degrees, 1650 degrees, and 2000 degrees R. Results of this investigation indicated that generally both the internal and external performance characteristics were only slightly affected by a large change in jet temperature. The small differences in performance which did occur were predicted satisfactorily from theoretical considerations."