Report discusses the results of testing of thallium as an antiknock agent in an internal-combustion engine. From Introduction: "On a weight basis, the thallium vapors were found to have several times the antiknock value of tetraethyl lead, which was added to the fuel. The amount of thallium vapor necessary to raise the antiknock properties of a gasoline up to exact equivalence with a benzol-gasoline mixture was determined in these engine tests."

Report presenting a theory regarding engine-cooling variables from a previous report, which was used as a basis for the development of a semi-empirical equation to correlate exhaust-valve temperature with engine conditions. Results regarding the determination of constants, influences of operating variables on mean effective gas temperatures, thermal-resistance factor, and accuracy of correlating equation are provided.

Report discusses the results of an investigation to determine the feasibility of using the change in the specific gravity of fuels in aircraft fuel tanks to measure fuel-vaporization loss. Six fuels were tested via fuel-distillation tests and simulated-flight tests. An equation based on the specific gravity of the fuel is also described.

Report presenting tests to verify and extend ultraviolet spectroscopic techniques for applications to the analysis of aviation fuels for their aromatic constituents. Results regarding photographic absorption spectra, spectrophotometric absorption spectra, and spectrophotometric analyses are provided.

Report describes the lubrication characteristics of an aircraft-type piston as visually studied in a V-type engine with a glass cylinder. Information about the movement of the piston, the piston rings, and the oil-control rings and their effect on lubrication is included.

Report presenting an exact solution and a closely concurring approximate energy solution for the buckling of an infinitely long flat plate under combined shear and transverse direct stress with edges elastically restrained against rotation. An appreciable fraction of the critical stress in pure shear may be applied to the plate without any reduction in the transverse compressive stress necessary to produce buckling.

From Summary: "An analysis of the nose-inlet shapes developed in previous investigations to represent the optimum from the standpoint of critical speed has shown that marked similarity exists between the nondimensional profiles of inlets which have widely different proportions and critical speeds. With the nondimensional similarity of such profiles established, the large differences in the critical speeds of these nose inlets must be a function of their proportions. An investigation was undertaken in the Langley 8-foot high-speed tunnel to establish the effects of nose-inlet proportions on critical Mach number and to develop a rational method for the design of high-critical-speed nose inlets to meet desired requirements."

Report presenting an experimental investigation of rectangular exhaust-gas ejector pump to provide data that would serve as a guide to the design of ejector applications for aircraft engines with marginal cooling. With a decrease in the quantity of air pumped and an increase in the length of an ejector, the ejector pressure rise increases to optimum values. Results regarding straight ejectors, diffuser ejectors, curved ejectors, ejector aspect ratio, divided ejectors, multistage ejectors, and nozzle-exit effects are provided.

Report discussing the effects of circular-arc spoilers on the section characteristics of an NACA 66,2-216 airfoil with a 0.25-chord slotted flap. Spoilers were tested on the upper surface of the airfoil, on the lower surface, and on both simultaneously. Only the simultaneous placement of spoilers was found to provide satisfactory results as a lateral control device.

Report presenting flight tests conducted to evaluate the effect of a thermal ice prevention system on the aerodynamic performance of a C-46 cargo airplane. The installation of the thermal ice-prevention system was found to reduce the indicated airspeed by about 6 miles per hour. Results regarding the overall performance change resulting from the installation of the thermal system, reduction of power attributed to heat-exchanger exhaust-gas back pressure, reduction of power attributed to the internal and external drag of the thermal system, and the additional airplane gross weight attributed to the thermal system are provided.

Report presenting an investigation of a thermal ice-prevention system for a Curtiss-Wright C-46 airplane, including the equipment for the wings, empennage, and windshield. The report is the third in a series and focuses on the revisions to the components for thermal ice prevention, the temperature- and pressure-measurement equipment installed in the airplane to determine the performance of the system, and the results of static-load structural tests of a specimen of the wing outer-panel leading edge.

Report presenting an investigation of a thermal ice-prevention system for a C-46 cargo airplane, which involved flight tests in dry-air and natural-icing conditions at two different laboratories. The purpose of the investigation was to determine the effectiveness of the C-46 airplane ice-prevention system and to continue the develop of thermal ice-prevention equipment. Results regarding the wing outer panel, wing tips, wing center panel, horizontal stabilizers, vertical fin, windshields, ice-removal tests, unprotected surfaces, and heat exchangers are provided.

Report discussing the use of two types of geared spring tabs for elevator control: ordinary (or ungeared) spring tabs and geared spring tabs. Their use in airplanes of various sizes and in comparison to conventional control systems is described.

From Summary: "A general representation of fan and turbine arrangements on a single classification chart is presented which is made possible by a particular definition of the stage of an axial-flow fan or turbine. Several unconventional fan and turbine arrangements are indicated and the applications of these arrangements are discussed."

Report presenting flight tests to establish the dry-air-performance characteristics of a thermal ice-prevention system at various operating conditions and altitudes. Results regarding twin-engine tests and single-engine tests of characteristics such as skin temperatures and location of heating are provided.

Report presenting an investigation of an exhaust-air heat exchanger, which has been designed, constructed, and flight-tested for a C-46 cargo airplane. The primary purpose of the investigation was to provide the C-46 airplane with a satisfactory source of heated air and to continue the development of the heat exchanger as a part of thermal ice-prevention equipment. Results indicated that the required thermal output and desired air-temperature rise have been achieved and that the exchanger is suitable for use in the C-46 airplane.

This report presents the results of a flight investigation to determine the effect on the performance of a turbosupercharged engine of an exhaust-gas-to-air heat exchanger installed between the engine-exhaust collector ring and the turbosupercharger. The background, results, and discussion of the investigation are described.

Report presenting a summary of a series of reports regarding heat exchangers, and in particular, the design of exhaust gas and air heat exchangers. The four parts included are a summary of heat transfer equations, single pass heat exchangers, heater performance in flight, and appendicies with additional aerodynamic information.

Report discussing an open box joined to a closed box subjected to torsional loading. A stiff bulkhead and a flexible bulkhead were tested at the discontinuity and the results were compared to a previously published theory. Stress distribution was found to not be sensitive to bulkhead stiffness when the stiffness is large, but the calculations became sensitive to errors in estimating when the stiffness was small.

Report presenting pressure-distribution measurements obtained from the horizontal tail surfaces of the Curtiss P-40K airplane during low-speed pull-ups to abrupt stall in which tail buffeting was experienced. The chordwise load distributions during buffeting are similar to those experienced during angle-of-attack changes. The location of the stall and frequency of stall disturbances are also described.

Report presenting flight tests of an all-movable horizontal tail installed on a Curtiss XP-42 airplane due to its possible advantages as a longitudinal control at high Mach numbers. The elevator control was found to be unsatisfactory with the control arrangements tested.

Lift characteristics and pressure distribution for a NACA 230 wing were investigated for an angle of attack range of from -10 to +24 degrees and Mach range of from 0.2 to 0.7. Maximum lift coefficient increased up to a Mach number of 0.3, decreased rapidly to a Mach number of 0.55, and then decreased moderately. At high speeds, maximum lift coefficient was reached at from 10 to 12 degrees beyond the stalling angle. In high-speed stalls, resultant load underwent a moderate shift outward.

Report presenting wind-tunnel testing in two-dimensional and three-dimensional flow to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of spoilers on tail surfaces for low-speed flight. Test results indicated that spoilers on tail surfaces showed little possibility of replacing conventional control surfaces. Results regarding a flap alone, rear spoiler alone, forward spoiler alone, forward spoiler and flap, and a combination of forward and rear spoilers on upper and lower surfaces in both types of flow are provided.

Report discusses the results of testing on a linked differential flap system upon the effective-dihedral characteristics of an airplane scale model. The negative dihedral changes caused by power can be materially reduced or eliminated by use of a differential flap system. The static directional stability also increased with differential flap action.