A basic theoretical and experimental investigation is made of the shimmy behavior of a swiveling landing gear, the experimental tests being conducted with a small wheel mounted over a continuous belt. Effects of wheel loading, rolling velocity, rearward position of the wheel with respect to the swivel axis, tire elasticity, and torsional flexibility of the fuselage are investigated both experimentally and theoretically. A major theoretical conclusion is that the motion of a landing gear moving in a straight line without fuselage elasticity is stable for a sufficiently large rearward position of the wheel behind the swivel axis, and this conclusion is well verified quantitatively by the experimental data.

For determination of the elastic constants of airplane tires which are required for the numerical calculations of the shimmy properties of nose and tail wheels, deformation measurements were carried out on four different tires. For this purpose, the tires were loaded in each case with a normal load and then with a lateral force, a tangential force, and a moment. Moreover, the weight and the mass moment of inertia about a vertical axis were determined for the various tires.

"Drop hammer tests with different shock strut models and shock strut oils were performed at temperatures ranging to -40 C. The various shock strut models do not differ essentially regarding their springing and damping properties at low temperatures; however, the influence of the different shock strut oils on the springing properties at low temperatures varies greatly" (p. 1).

An extensive investigation of the changes of the local and mean heat-transfer coefficients along the pipe length, and some results.

"Model tests on the "running belt" and tests with a full-scale tail wheel were made on a rotating drum as well as on a runway in order to investigate the causes of the undesirable shimmy phenomena frequently occurring on airplane tail wheels, and the means of avoiding them. The small model (scale 1:10) permitted simulation of the mass, moments of inertia, and fuselage stiffness of the airplane and determination of their influence on the shimmy, whereas by means of the larger model with pneumatic tires (scale 1:2) more accurate investigations were made on the tail wheel itself. The results of drum and road tests show good agreement with one another and with model values" (p. 1).

"The case of the horizontal cylinder is of particular importance in the study of heat transfer by free convection for the following reasons: In the first place, next to the rectangular plate it represents the simplest two-dimensional case; and second, a very wide range of measurements is possible, from the finest electrically heated glow lamp wires to pipes heated by liquids or gases flowing through them" (p. 1).

Memorandum presenting an investigation of the equations that relate heat transfer, diffusion, and evaporation. The report shows that more accurate equations must be substituted for those used in previous investigations of the relation between the quantity of matter exchanged by diffusion and the quantity of heat transferred by conduction.

The equations of the individual processes of self nucleation are utilized through an electrical analogy to obtain the nucleation frequency. This process is shown to be shorter and less subject to error than that of previous investigators since the appearance of indeterminant integration constants is completely avoided. With the nucleation frequencies of crystals and spheres the Ostwald law of stages is reviewed and modified.

This paper, which is presented in three parts, is an analytical study of the behavior of landing gear shock struts, with various types of assumptions for the shock-strut characteristics. The effects of tire springing are neglected. The first part compares the behavior of struts with linear and quadratic damping. The second part considers struts with nonlinear spring characteristics and linear or quadratic damping. The third part treats the oleo-pneumatic strut with air-compression springing without damping and with damping proportional to velocity.

A discussion is given of the application of Fourier series techniques to the problems of linearized supersonic flow. The formulation presented is an extension of the doublet type of "fundamental solution" to higher order types of singularity. The equations developed have application to wing theory but are primarily of importance in wing-body interaction problems. A specific example of a wing-body interference problem is discussed in light of the presented methods.

A rigorous analysis presented of the excitation of sound by point sources moving in uniform translatory motion at subsonic or supersonic velocities through a two- or three-dimensional medium at rest. The construction of surfaces of constant phase is based upon Huyghens' principle in such a manner that the propagation in the medium at rest of the elementary waves emanating from the sound source is independent of the momentary state of motion of the sound source. Hence, characteristic traits of the sound propagation may be understood even on the basis of simple geometric constructions.

Report presenting a compilation of papers on shimmy and rolling behavior of landing gears.

"In connection with an earlier report on the lifting vortex sheet which forms the basis of the following investigations this will show how the methods developed there are also suitable for dealing with the air forces for a wing with a circulation variable with time. The theory of a propulsive wing flapping up and down periodically in the manner of a bird's wing is developed. This study shows how the lift and its moment result as a function of the flapping motion, what thrust is attainable, and how high is the degree of efficiency of this flapping propulsion unit if the air friction is disregarded" (p. 1).