Report presenting a method for predicting the amplitude and frequency, under certain simplifying conditions, of the hunting oscillations of an automatically controlled aircraft with lag in the control system or in response of the aircraft to the controls. Formulas are given expressing the response to a variation of signal in terms of response to a unit signal.

Summary: The effective change in the velocity of flow past a wing section, caused by the presence of wind-tunnel walls, is known for potential flow. This theory is extended by investigation of the two-dimensional compressible flow past a thin Rankine Oval. It is shown that for a symmetrical section at zero angle of attack the velocity increment due to the tunnel walls in the incompressible case must be multiplied by the factor 1/1-M^2 to take account of compressibility effects. The Mach number, M, corresponds to conditions in the wind-tunnel test section with the model removed (p. 1.).

"An analysis was made to show the relative effectiveness of streamline external fuel tanks, a fuel tank in the form of a wing mounted in a biplane position, and auxiliary wing panels attached at the wing tips to increase the span as temporary means for increasing the range of a fighter-type airplane. Figures and charts for the various devices considered show the results of calculations of range, duration of flight, and take-off distance for both land-base and carrier operation. The results indicated that the wing-tip extensions were the most promising of the devices considered" (p. 1).

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 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 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 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 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.

From Introduction: "The present paper deals with control surfaces having plain-overhang and Frise balances."

Report discusses an analysis and preliminary design of a control linkage that varies automatically with dynamic pressure. The advantages of the device, including greater lateral control than a fixed control linkage without additional aerodynamic balance, are detailed. The effect of variable linkage on lateral-control characteristics is also described.

Report presenting measurements made of the pressures of the tail surfaces of the Republic Aviation Corporation P-47B airplane in the full-scale tunnel. Pressures were measured over the horizontal and vertical tail surfaces for several angles of attack and angles of yaw with numerous control-surface deflections to provide a check on the design loads. Results regarding the normal-force coefficients and predictions of forces on horizontal tail surfaces are provided.

From Introduction: "As a part of the general lateral-control investigation by the NACA, the large amount of two- and three-dimensional data on the rolling effectiveness of ailerons without exposed overhang balance is collected and analyzed in the present paper."

Report presenting a flight investigation made to determine the effectiveness of dive-recovery flaps installed on the XP-51 airplane as a safety device for recovery from contemplated terminal-velocity dives. The flap installation is described and results are presented of measurements obtained during stick-free pull-ups and pull-outs made by deflecting the dive-recovery flaps to two selected values of flap angle .

Report presenting methods for estimating pressure distributions over protuberances such as cockpit canopies, gun turrets, blisters, scoops, and sighting domes. The methods are applied to the estimation of the pressure distributions over spherical segment and faired gun turrets and over the protuberances on the Brewster SB2A-1 airplane. The effects of compressibility, interference, and flow separation are discussed.

Porpoising characteristics were observed on V-body fitted with tail surfaces for different combinations of load, speed, moment of inertia, location of pivot, elevator setting, and tail area. A critical trim was found which was unaltered by elevator setting or tail area. Critical trim was lowered by moving pivot either forward or down or increasing radius or gyration. Increase in mass and moment of inertia increased amplitude of oscillations. Complete results are tabulated and shown graphically.

Report presenting flight tests made with a modified Ryan ST airplane to determine the effect on aileron characteristics of various arrangements of balanced split flaps covering that portion of the wing span occupied by the ailerons. With the flaps fully extended, the aileron effectiveness was reduced by approximately 18 percent of the effectiveness measured with ailerons alone.

"The effects of changes in aileron rigging between 2 deg up and 2 deg down on the stick forces were determined from wind-tunnel data for a finite-span wing model. These effects were investigated for ailerons deflecting equally in both directions and linearly with stick deflection. Data were analyzed for a Frise, a sealed internally balanced, and a beveled-trailing-edge aileron" (p. 1).

Report discussing several types of jet-exit designs, including normal, beveled, and unsymmetrical shapes, and their effect on the stability characteristics of the aircraft. No deviation of the jet center line from its exposed path is likely to be obtained if a jet exist is used that is normal to the flow. Having a tilted or asymmetrical exit was found to adversely affect the stability of the aircraft.

From Summary: "The results of an analytical investigation to determine the qualitative effects of elevator-fabric distortion on the stick-force characteristics of an airplane are presented. These results indicate that serious alteration of intended stick-force characteristics can be produced by elevator-fabric distortion."

Report presenting a procedure for determining the motions of an airplane resulting from the deflection of the lateral or directional controls for the case of non-linear derivatives. A simple computation table is presented to illustrate the application of the procedure.

Report discusses the results of shear testing in which the heads of Du Pont explosive countersunk rivets were allowed to protrude above the skin surface before expansion and the protruding portions were removed after expansion. As the height of the rivet head above the skin increases, the tightness of the rivet was found to increase. The report concludes that it may be desirable to investigating filling an entire shank with an explosive charge in order to permit greater tolerances in the drilled hole diameter and still have consistently tight rivets.

Report presenting formulas for propellers for the rate of change of side-force coefficient with angle of yaw and for the rate of change of pitching-moment coefficient with angle of yaw. Charts of side-force derivatives are given for two propellers of different plan forms.

Report presenting an investigation to determine the effect of the amount of oil flow to the piston on the ring-sticking characteristics of a piston and ring assembly and on the engine oil consumption. Results regarding the blow-by, lubrication, oil consumption, and method of supplying oil are provided.

Report discussing the characteristics of the jet-motor air-intake duct system for a pursuit-type airplane with modifications to the duct system. Details of its effects on the Mach number, high pressure recovery, drag, and simplicity of the system are provided. Problems regarding the flow condition through the ducts and some potential modifications to prevent further issues are also described.