Report presenting a full-scale, free-jet investigation to determine the performance of a side-inlet supersonic diffuser designed for a flight Mach number of 2.75. Several internal modifications made to improve diffuser-outlet flow uniformity were also evaluated. Results regarding the general characteristics of the diffuser and effect of diffuser modifications on flow distribution are provided.

Report presenting an investigation using the NACA wing-flow method to determine the longitudinal stability and control characteristics of a semispan airplane model with a wing of conventional plan form and a horizontal tail swept back 45 degrees at transonic speeds. Measurements were made of lift and angle of attack for trim at several stabilizer and elevator settings.

"A complete stage of an axial-flow compressor was designed and built to investigate the possibility of obtaining a high pressure ratio with an acceptable efficiency through the use of the optimum combination of high blade loading and high relative inlet Mach number. Over-all stage performance was investigated over a range of flows at equivalent tip speeds of 418 to 836 feet per second. At design speed (836 ft/sec), a peak total-pressure ration of 1.445 was obtained with an adiabatic efficiency of 0.89. For design angle of attack at the mean radius, a total-pressure ratio of 1.392 was obtained" (p. 1).

Report presenting a wind-tunnel investigation of two NACA 7-series type airfoils, one with 17.7-percent chord thickness and one with 15.4-percent chord thickness, each quipped with a 30-percent-airfoil-chord double slotted flap, a slot-lip aileron, and a trailing-edge Frise aileron with two amounts of overhang balance. Measurements of airfoil lift and drag, Frise aileron hinge moment, and slot-lip aileron hinge moment were obtained through a large range of deflection of flap, Frise aileron, and slot-lip aileron and section angle of attack. Satisfactory lateral control can be obtained by using this combination of airfoils, flaps, and ailerons.

Report presenting an investigation to determine the hydrodynamic characteristics of two aerodynamically refined planing-tail hulls. One hull had an afterbody shaped like a tapered boom and the other had two afterbodies with tapered booms fairing out of engine nacelles. Results regarding take-off stability and trim, landing stability, spray, resistance, directional stability, and static transverse stability are presented.

Report presenting wind-tunnel tests up to a Mach number of 0.85 to determine the effects of wing-tip gun turrets on the aerodynamic characteristics of a typical bomber-wing model. Lift, drag, and pitching-moment data are presented for the wing alone; for the wing with the turrets in the clean condition; and for the wing and the turrets with guns and sighting equipment. The turrets had negligible effect on the lift and pitching-moment characteristics of the wing.

Report presenting an experimental investigation to determine the combustion properties of aluminum as a fuel for use in high-speed aircraft. The aluminum fuel was injected both in powder and wire form into 2-inch-diameter ramjet-type combustors. Results regarding operational problems, thrust, and combustion efficiency are provided.

Report presenting testing conducted to determine the force and pressure-recovery characteristics of a model utilizing a single-shock spike-type inlet with a perforated cowl. The use of the cowl resulted in the attainment of a high pressure recovery at zero angle of attack, but it was accompanied by a relatively large increase in external drag as compared with nonperforated inlets of the same proportions. Results regarding the characteristics at zero angle of attack, effects of changes in angle of attack and Mach number, and performance of perforations are provided.

Report presenting testing of a supersonic mixed-flow compressor of large weight-flow capacity with a stator with swept and tilted blades was tested over a range of air tip speeds. As rotor speed increased, stage efficiency decreased continuously. Results regarding the overall compressor performance, flow fluctuations, and static-pressure distribution are provided.

From Introduction: "In comparison with the shaft-driven rotor, the jet rotor is shown in references 1 and 2 to provide direct reductions in helicopter empty weight and to increase the pay-load capacity by (1) eliminating the gear-reduction train between the rotor shaft and the power plant, (2) eliminating the antitorque tail rotor, and (3) using a power plant of low specific weight."

Report presenting a transonic compressor rotor with double-circular-arc blade sections, which was designed and tested to investigate the aerodynamic effects of using a short blade chord and a high aspect ratio and to obtain more blade-element data. Results regarding overall performance, rotor-inlet conditions, rotor-outlet conditions, and rotating-stall characteristics and blade vibrations are provided.

Report presenting an interferometric study of the flow over a two-dimensional isentropic compression surface at a Mach number of 3.0. The flow field was essentially that of a strong-branch-shock configuration resulting from a surface flow turning that corresponded to an empirical limiting value of free-stream normal-shock pressure rise.

An investigation of the performance of the mixed-oxides-of-nitrogen-ammonia propellant combination over a range of conditions with several injectors. Results regarding specific impulse, characteristic velocity, and thrust coefficient as functions of oxidant-fuel weight ratio are provided.

From Summary: "A study has been made of the performance of the induction and the exhaust systems on the XR60 power-plant installation as part of an investigation conducted in the Cleveland altitude wind tunnel. Altitude flight conditions from 5000 to 30,000 feet were simulated for a range of engine powers from 750 to 3000 brake horsepower."