Report presenting testing regarding the Bell X-2 supersonic research airplane, which is equipped with a skid main landing gear and nose wheel, to determine the low-speed handling qualities and landing characteristics. Results regarding the landing approach pattern, time histories, and final resting position of the airplane at landing are provided.

"Comparisons have been made of the shock phenomena and drag-rise increments for representative wing and central-body combinations with those for bodies of revolution having the same axial developments of cross-sectional areas normal to the airstream. On the basis of these comparisons, it is concluded that near the speed of sound the zero-lift drag rise of a low-aspect-ratio thin-wing and body combination is primarily dependent on the axial development of the cross-sectional areas normal to the airstream. It follows that the drag rise for any such configuration is approximately the same as that for any other with the same development of cross-sectional areas" (p. 519).

"A theoretical study is described of the aerodynamic characteristics at small angle of attack of a thin, double-wedge profile in the range of supersonic flight speed in which the bow wave is detached. The analysis is carried out within the framework of the transonic (nonlinear) small-disturbance theory, and the effects of angle of attack are regarded as a small perturbation on the flow previously calculated at zero angle. The mixed flow about the front half of the profile is calculated by relaxation solution of a suitably defined boundary-value problem for transonic small-disturbance equation in the hodograph plane (i.e., the Tricomi equation)" (p. 547).

"Porcelain-enamel ground coats were prepared and applied under conditions that gave various degrees of adherence between enamel and a low-carbon steel (enameling iron). The variations in adherence were produced by (a) varying the amount of cobalt-oxide addition in the frit, (b) varying the type of metallic-oxide addition in the frit, keeping the amount constant at 0.8 weight percent, (c) varying the surface treatment of the metal before application of the enamel, by pickling, sandblasting, and polishing, and (d) varying the time of firing of the enamel containing 0.8 percent of cobalt oxide. Specimens of each enamel were given the standard adherence test of the Porcelain Enamel Institute" (p. 239).

From Introduction: "In the present paper, which supplements reference 1, V-g records obtained from F8F-2 airplanes in 1949 are analyzed statistically to determine the frequency of experiencing large values of normal load factor and airspeed. These results are compared with the results from the F8F-1 airplane."

Report presenting an investigation in the transonic blowdown tunnel from Mach numbers 0.80 to 1.41 to determine the increments in lift and drag due to installation of a triangular-shaped air inlet in the root of a 45 degree sweptback wing and to determine the internal flow characteristics of the inlet. Results regarding pressure measurements of the inlet model, force measurements of basic and inlet models, and effect of boundary-layer bypass scoop and fuselage nose configuration on characteristics of inlet model are presented.

Report presenting an investigation to determine the dynamic stability and control characteristics of a scale flying model of the Consolidated-Vultee XFY-1 vertically rising airplane. It includes the results of flight tests to determine the stability and control characteristics of the model in hovering, take-offs, and landings.

Report presenting free-flight tests made with four fin-stabilized bodies of fineness ratio 8.91 to determine the effect of body cross-sectional shape on body drag at a range of Mach and Reynolds numbers. Results regarding the curve of drag coefficients, drag on the nose and body, and body pressure drag are provided.

Report presenting an investigation in the 7- by 10-foot tunnel to determine the effect of aspect ratio on the aerodynamic characteristics in pitch of wing-fuselage combinations with 45 degrees sweepback at the quarter-chord line and 0.6 taper ratio at high subsonic speeds. Results regarding the lift characteristics, pitching-moment characteristics, drag characteristics, and lift-drag ratios are provided.

Report presenting an investigation to determine the low-speed characteristics of a variable-sweep airplane model with a twisted and cambered wing. The wing was designed to have a uniform load distribution at a Mach number 1.10 and a lift coefficient of 0.25 and 50 degrees sweep. Results regarding lift characteristics, drag characteristics, lift-drag ratio, pitching-moment characteristics, dynamic pressure and downwash at the tail, effect of flaps, and lateral stability characteristics are provided.

Report presenting an investigation in the 4- by 4-foot supersonic pressure tunnel at Mach number 2.01 to determine the effects of sweep angle and thickness ratio on the static lateral stability characteristics of a series of wings with taper ratio 0.2 and aspect ratio 3.5. The results are presented with little analysis.

Report reporting measurements of pressure distributions obtained in a flight test of a fin-stabilized parabolic body of revolution with a sharply convergent afterbody. Pressures were measured at eight longitudinal stations on the body and over a range of Mach numbers. Results regarding basic data, the effect of sting, the variation of pressure coefficient with Mach number, pressure distributions, velocity distribution and discussion of flow phenomena, and drag are presented.

"Full-scale aircraft crashes were made to investigate the mechanism of the start and development of aircraft crash fires. The results are discussed herein. This investigation revealed the characteristics of the ignition sources, the manner in which the combustibles spread, the mechanism of the union of the combustibles and ignition sources, and the pertinent factors governing the development of a crash fire as observed in this program" (p. 547).