Report presenting an iteration method employed to obtain the flow of a compressible fluid past a curved surface. For small Mach numbers and thin shapes, the results obtained by the iteration process agree with those obtained by the Poggi method.

In open box beams subjected to torsion, secondary stresses arise owing to lateral bending of the spar caps. The present paper outlines a simple method for estimating the magnitude of these stresses and gives the results of tests of an open box beam in the neighborhood of a discontinuity where the cover changed from the top to the bottom of the box.

Aerodynamic characteristics of a tapered NACA 23012 airfoil with single and double perforated split flaps have been determined in the NACA 7- by 10-foot wind tunnel. Dynamic pressure surveys were made behind the airfoil at the approximate location of the tail in order to determine the extent and location of the wake for several of the flap arrangements. In addition, computations have been made of an application of perforated double split flaps for use as fighter brakes. The results indicated that single or double perforated split flaps may be used to obtain satisfactory dive control without undue buffeting effects and that single or double perforated split flaps may also be used as fighter brakes. The perforated split flaps had approximately the same effects on the aerodynamic and wake characteristics of the tapered airfoil as on a comparable rectangular airfoil.

Report presenting an investigation in the NACA 7- by 10-foot wind tunnel of several arrangements of a plug-type, spoiler-slot aileron on an NACA 23012 airfoil with a full-span slotted flap. The results indicated that a plug-type, spoiler-slot aileron probably has negligible drag in the neutral position and will provide satisfactory lateral control for airplanes equipped with full-span slotted flaps.

Report presenting a chart for the values of the coefficient in the formula for the critical shear stress at which buckling may be expected to occur in an infinitely long flat plate with parallel edges. An approximate method for the evaluation of the critical shear stress when the elastic restraints on the two parallel edges are not equal is also presented.

Report presenting extensive force tests covering a wide range of propeller thrust coefficients on a typical twin-engine tractor monoplane model with the horizontal tail surface removed and attached. Measurements were made with flaps retracted and deflected at various angles of attack with different stabilizer and elevator settings. Results regarding the effect of propeller operation on wing-fuselage combination and forces and air flow at tail are provided.

Report presenting testing to determine if the change of several specific variables with extreme change of humidity and test-bench temperature will have an appreciable effect on several parameters used to determine supercharger performance.

Report presenting a method of comparing the performance, weight, and general dimensional characteristics of intercoolers. The performance and dimensional characteristics covered in the comparisons include cooling effectiveness, pressure drops and weight flows of the charge and cooling air, power losses, volume, frontal area, and width.

Report presenting single-cylinder tests were made with several different engines over a period of time, which have shown that a large overlap between the time of inlet valve opening and exhaust valve closing results in a considerable increase in the maximum power obtainable from a supercharged engine and reduces cylinder temperatures.

Report presenting a study of a family of three single-stage deep inducers designed to impart solid-body, or wheel, rotation in the entering air at constant rates along the axial depth of the inducers. The cast inducers tested were 4-inch axial depth with 24 blades, 4-inch depth with 12 blades, and 2-inch depth with 24 blades. Results regarding the cast inducers of the constant-angular-acceleration family, inducer section from the conventional impeller, and estimate of the inducer effect are provided.

Report discusses an investigation into piston and ring friction as compared to total engine friction under natural operating conditions. Several test conditions were explored, including the effect of scuffing and excess cylinder-wall lubrication on friction. A device for measuring ring tensions and an apparatus for transforming pressure-crank angle indicator diagrams into pressure-volume indicator diagrams are also described.

Report presenting an ice detector that can serve as a basis for a rate-of-icing indicator. The instrument consists of a wire screen and a pitot tube mounted behind the screen with both enclosed in a cylindrical shell. Observed data and some possibilities for future development are provided.

Report presenting a correlation of the gross-load coefficient and the forebody length-beam ratio for a limited number of present-day multiengine long-range flying boats for which the spray characteristics are known. Results indicate that the gross-load coefficient for comparable spray characteristics varies as the square of the forebody length-beam ratio.

"A simple interaction curve is presented for evaluating the conditions of combined shear and direct stress under which an infinitely long, flat plate with equal elastic restraints against rotation along the edges will become unstable. The theoretical work that led to the interaction curve is presented in the form of appendixes" (p. 1).

Report discusses a theoretical analysis of the lateral stability characteristics of a glider towed by two parallel towlines, which was correlated with previously reported dynamic flight testing. The glider appears to possess sufficient stability for satisfactory pilotless towed flight. The main factors affecting stability were the dihedral angle of the glider and the length of the towlines.

Report presenting an evaluation of a number of samples of flight acceleration data under a variety of operating conditions to determine the total frequencies and the frequency distribution of atmospheric gusts. The samples include 1748 hours of operation by several airplanes of the domestic airlines of the United States, a Martin M-130 airplane, and a Boeing B-15 airplane. The results indicated that the distribution of gusts within turbulent regions of the earth's atmosphere follows a substantially fixed pattern regardless of the source of the turbine.

Statistical methods were applied to acceleration and airspeed data obtained with the XC-35 airplane during flights in turbulent air within convective clouds in order to determine the characteristics of repeated or closely spaced gusts pertinent to design problems. Results indicated that, in turbulent air within convective cloud, gusts tend to be contiguous and are seldom found isolated in space. Over-all average spacing between repeated gusts was in good agreement with twice the average gust-gradient distance of 10 chords used in present design.

Report presenting a comparison of the results of calculations of the critical flutter speeds of nine uniform rectangular wings without ailerons by two methods: one in which the effect of the wing flutter shape is introduced indirectly by choosing mean values for the wing parameters and one that introduces an additional degree of freedom in the wing-bending flutter mode.

"A collection of data on the elevator deflections used in landings of several airplanes is presented in tabular form. The physical characteristics of these airplanes are also given. The elevator deflections used in landing some airplanes was found to be as much as 14.4 degrees greater than that used to stall under the same flight and loading conditions" (p. 1).

Report presenting the results obtained in compression tests of eight stiffened panels. The radius-thickness ratio of the skin between stiffeners varied from 400 to infinity.

Report presenting compression tests on six 24S-T aluminum alloy curved sheet-stringer panels 12 inches in length and 24 inches in width, reinforced by six Zeo stringers spaced 4 inches between centers. The increase in developed width had no significant effect on the strain for buckling of sheet between stringers, the strain for buckling of sheet between rivets, the load carried per sheet bay, or the stress at failure.

"An investigation has been made in the Langley free-flight tunnel to obtain an experimental verification of the theoretical rudder-free stability characteristics of an airplane model equipped with conventional rudders having negative floating tendencies and negligible friction. The model used in the tests was equipped with a conventional single vertical tail having rudder area 40 percent of the vertical tail area. The model was tested both in free flight and mounted on a strut that allowed freedom only in yaw" (p. 1).

Report presenting testing in the full-scale tunnel of the Grumman XF6F-4 airplane to investigate the factors that affect the directional stability and trim characteristics of a typical fighter-type airplane. Eight representative flight conditions were investigated in detail.

From Summary: "A method has been developed for interpreting v-g records taken during the course of commercial transport operation. This method involves the utilization of fairly simple statistical procedures to obtain "flight envelopes," which predict that, on the average, in a stated number of flight hours, one value of airspeed will exceed the envelope, and one positive and one negative acceleration increment will exceed the envelope with equal probability of being experienced at any airspeed. Comparison with the actual data obtained from various airplanes and from various airlines indicates that these envelopes predict the occurrences of large values of acceleration and airspeed with a high degree of accuracy."