Report discusses measurements of the relaxation time of steam and nitrogen due to their importance as turbine-working fluids. Additional calculations regarding different nozzle lengths are included.

Report presenting stability testing of two dynamic models in tank no. 1 in order to investigate the effects of adding a small projection, or hook, on the planing bottom of the forebody near the step of a seaplane. Tests with two different projections had a rather large effect on all of the trim limits and the landing stability.

Bulletin presenting a discussion of information as to the influence on spins and spin recovery of the wing loading and load distribution of present-day pursuit airplanes. The high wing loadings results in high rates of descent and large control forces for recovery.

"An investigation was made of the methods of supporting single-thickness specimens of aluminum-alloy sheet material in a fixture for determination of compressive stress-strain curves. The specimens were supported in the fixture by rollers, offset-grooved plates, opposite-grooved plates, flat brass plates, or flat wooden plates. The investigation also showed that the compression fixture, the specimen support, and the single-thickness specimens must be accurately made in order to obtain accurate stress-strain curves consistently" (p. 1).

Report discusses the results of an investigation to compare the discharge characteristics of an alcohol feed ring and a standard alcohol discharge nozzle when utilized to supply anti-icing alcohol to the propeller-blade feed shoes on a Curtiss-Wright C-46 cargo airplane. The equipment used, testing practices, and results of the alcohol flow distribution are described.

Tests show that at inlet-air temperatures of 250 deg F and 100 deg F the knock-limited performance of the base fuel of blends, leaded with 4 ml TEL per gallon and containing 20 percent spiropentane, was reduced at fuel/air ratios below 0.085. The 20 percent methylenecyclobutane reduced the knock-limited power of the base fuel at fuel/air ratios below 0.112. Di-tert-butyl ether, methyl-tert-butyl ether, and triptane increased the knock-limited power of the base fuel at all fuel/air ratios and at both temperatures.

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 discussing the results of testing conducted to determine the knock-limited performance of fuel blends containing 80 percent of S-2 reference fuel and 20 percent of several exploratory fuels. Butyl acetate, sec-butyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, methylcyclohexanol, isobutylcarbinol, sec-butylcarbinol, triethyl borate, and dimethylfuran were examined.

"A model of a flying boat was tested to determine the landing characteristics when the depth of the step was reduced to zero by means of a retractable planing flap on the forebody" (p. 4). The results of stability and resistance testing are presented.

Report discusses tests conducted using a model of a four-engine long-range flying boat with a 30 degree V-step and two different transverse steps of comparable positions and depths. The limits of stability, landing speed, and landing characteristics of the different models are presented.

"In order to determine the lead susceptibility of several fuels, leaded and unleaded fuels from the same stock were blended and tested in a full-scale air-cooled aircraft-engine cylinder. The fuels were S-4 reference fuel, virgin-base stock, aviation alkylate, neohexane, and blends of 25-percent benzene with 75-percent virgin-base stock and 25-percent toluene with 75-percent virgin-base stock" (p. 1).

"Tests were made of riveted double-angle columns to determine the total rivet strength that is required to make these built-up columns develop the strength predicted by the standard column formulas. Results of the tests led to the conclusion that the required rivet strength may be calculated by the beam method of design" (p. 1).

Report discusses the results of tensile and compressive tests of two types of plastic-bonded glass cloth and their potential use in aircraft construction. The ultimate tensile stress and compressive yield stresses for the different materials are provided.

Report discusses the maximum lift coefficients for conventional and tailless airplanes in the gliding and landing conditions. Three areas are used to calculate the coefficients: wing area alone, wing area plus horizontal-tail area, and wing area plus horizontal- and vertical-tail areas.

Report discusses the results of testing to determine the maximum rates of control stick (elevator) motion and corresponding maximum stick forces that could be exerted based on experiments with several pilots. The main topics explored were the comparison of the maximum rates of push and pull, maximum rates of push and pull when a mental restriction was placed on the pilot, and maximum rates at which the pilot though he would apply the elevator control forces versus the actual application of forces. Information about experimental procedures and the rig the testing occurred on is included.

Bulletin discusses a method to estimate aromatic hydrocarbons in hydrocarbon mixtures, which is important for determining the percentage of aromatics in fuel blends. The method was tested with nine base stocks at several levels of aromatics concentration and the maximum level of error was found to be about 0.5 percent. The speed and simplicity of the testing is emphasized.

Report describes the installation of six-cylinder blocks from two in-line aircraft engines on CUE crankcases, which permits the separate operation of any cylinder as part of a single-cylinder test engine. Using multicylinder-engine blocks for single-cylinder tests is advantageous because there is greater availability of standard engine parts and there is less temperature gradient. Modifications of the crankcase, camshaft-drive mechanism, and operation of the cylinder are described.

Report describes a balanced-diaphragm device for measuring dynamometer torque of single-cylinder or multicylinder engines that was developed for laboratory use. Design variables are described, included desired torque-measuring device characteristics, diaphragm design, pilot valve, the torque-indicating instrument, the capacity range, ability of reversed operation, and double-acting operation. The accuracy is described as satisfactory and effects of other variables are negligible.

Report describes the standard procedure that NACA used for evaluating the aileron characteristics of airplanes. The variables measured in the testing are rolling velocity, aileron positions, aileron stick forces or tangential wheel force, indicated airspeed, altitude, free-air temperature, and rudder position. The step-by-step flight procedure is described and information regarding evaluation of the control data and general suggestions is included.

Report discusses five tests related to seaplane skipping and attempts to prevent it by changing the depths of step to avoid large suction force on the afterbody generated by the flow behind a shallow step. Flying boats of various sizes and weights were tested during landing and several degrees of trim were tested for boats that had a particularly shallow step. Design suggestions for future flying boats are also included.

Report discusses some unusual velocity-acceleration records on transport airplanes, which the report defines as "records of accelerations experienced in flight that resulted from causes other than atmospheric gusts" (from Summary). The analysis of the records, which is required for determining proper classification, is described, and the sorting of the records into gust- or maneuver-related is described. The report also discusses the importance of receiving this data from flight operators in addition to the routine information they provide.

Report discusses a method of replica creation and testing of the surface-finish variation of aircraft engine parts subject to wear. In this report, a positive replica is created, the surface is treated, the replica is tested to make sure the fidelity is high enough, and a series of ring-sticking tests are conducted on the replicas. A summary of the results of the testing is also included.

Report describes an electrical-relay circuit that uses cylinder thermocouples for indicating preignition or misfiring in an aircraft engine. The potential dangers of preignition and the importance of an easy-to-use, practical preignition indicator are provided. The operating principles of the indicator and a description of its functioning, calibration, and installation procedures are also included.

Report discusses the results of compressive testing of 24S-T aluminum-alloy sheet-stiffener panels with five ratios of stiffener thickness to sheet thickness. For each ratio, rivets of five different diameters were used to attach the stiffeners to the sheets. The compressive strengths were found to increase with an increase in the diameter of the rivets until the ratio of rivet diameter to over-all thickness reached a certain point.