"Available information on gust structure, airplane reactions, and pertinent operating statistics has been examined. This report attempts to coordinate this information with reference to the prediction of gust loads on airplanes. The material covered represents research up to October 1947" (p. 807).

Measurements are presented at Mach numbers from about 1.3 to 1.5 of reflection characteristics and the relative upstream influence of shock waves impinging on a flat surface with both laminar and turbulent boundary layers. The difference between impulse and step waves is discussed and their interaction with the boundary layer is compared. General considerations on the experimental production of shock waves from wedges and cones and examples of reflection of shock waves from supersonic shear layers are also presented.

A method of calibrating the static-pressure source of a pitot static airspeed installation on an airplane in level flight, dives, and other maneuvers at high altitude and at transonic and supersonic speeds is described. The method principally involves the use of radar-phototheodolite tracking equipment. The various sources of error in the method are discussed and sample calibrations are included.

From Summary: "An apparatus for varying effective dihedral in flight by means of servo actuation of the ailerons in response to sideslip angle is described. The results of brief flight tests of the apparatus on a conventional fighter airplane are presented and discussed. The results of an investigation employing the apparatus to determine the tolerable (safe for normal fighter operation) range of effective dihedral on the test airplane are presented."

"In a round turbulent jet at room temperature, measurement of the shear correlation coefficient as a function of frequency (through band-pass filters) has given a rather direct verification of Kolmogoroff's local-isotropy hypothesis. One-dimensional power spectra of velocity and temperature fluctuations, measured in unheated and heated jets, respectively, have been contrasted. Under the same conditions, the two corresponding transverse correlation functions have been measured and compared" (p. 1).

"An experimental investigation, using microscopic observation and color motion photomicrographs of the action, was conducted to determine the cause of fretting. Glass and other noncorrosive materials, as well as metals, were used as specimens. A very simple apparatus vibrated convex surfaces in contact with stationary flat surfaces at frequencies of 120 cycles or less than l cycle per second, an amplitude of 0.0001 inch, and load of 0.2 pound" (p. 135).

Ignition studies of flowing gases were made to obtain information applicable to ignition problems in gas-turbine and ram-jet aircraft propulsion systems operating at altitude conditions.Spark energies required for ignition of a flowing propane-air mixture were determined for pressure of 2 to 4 inches mercury absolute, gas velocities of 5.0 to 54.2 feet per second, fuel-air ratios of 0.0607 to 0.1245, and spark durations of 1.5 to 24,400 microseconds. The results showed that at a pressure of 3 inches mercury absolute the minimum energy required for ignition occurred at fuel-air ratios of 0.08 to 0.095. The energy required for ignition increased almost linearly with increasing gas velocity. Shortening the spark duration from approximately 25,000 to 125 microseconds decreased the amount of energy required for ignition. A spark produced by the discharge of a condenser directly into the spark gap and having a duration of 1.5 microseconds required ignition energies larger than most of the long-duration sparks.

A supplementary investigation on the stabilization of the Jettisonable nose section of the X-2 airplane has been conducted in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel. It was found that the nose section could be stabilized by the addition of curved fins which could be folded against the fuselage for normal flight.

"A single-stage modification of the turbine from a Mark 25 torpedo power plant was investigated to determine the performance with two nozzle designs in combination with special rotor blades having a 20 inlet angle. The performance is presented in terms of blade, rotor, and brake efficiency as a function of blade-jet speed ratio for pressure ratios of 8, 15 (design), and 20. The blade efficiency with the nozzle having circular pas- sages (K) was equal to or higher than that with the nozzle having rectangular passages (J) for all pressure ratios and speeds investigated" (p. 1).

"As part of the performance investigation of compressors for the J33 turbojet engine, the A-21 model and the A-23 model with a 17- and a 34-blade impeller were operated with water injection at their respective design equivalent speeds of 11,500 and 11,750 rpm. Inlet conditions of pressure of 14 inches of mercury absolute and of ambient temperature correspond to those of the investigation of these models without water injection. The water-air ratio by weight ranged from 0.05 to 0.06. By the use of water injection, the peak pressure ratio of the A-21 compressor and the A-23 compressor with a 34-blade impeller increased approximately 0.38, whereas that of the A-23 compressor with a 17-blade impeller increased only 0.14" (p. 1).

A vane-type angle-of-attack indicator suitable for measurements at both subsonic and supersonic speeds has been developed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. A brief history is given of the development, and a wind-tunnel calibration of the indicator is presented, together with a discussion of the corrections to be applied to the indicated readings.

From Summary: "Measurements of wing and fuselage pressure distributions were made at low and high subsonic Much numbers on a 0.16-scale model of the projected MX-656 research airplane. The MX-656 is a supersonic design utilizing a low-aspect-ratio wing and tail. Pressure-distribution measurements indicated that, although the critical Mach number of the wing was approximately 0.81 at 0 degree angle of attack, compressibility effects were of little significance below a Mach number of at least 0.90. The principal effect of compressibility was an increase in the pressure gradient over the after 30 percent of the wing chord, causing a tendency for the flow to separate."

"An investigation was made of the first-stage turbine of a Mark 25 torpedo power plant to determine the performance of the unity with two nozzle configurations and a special rotor having 0.45-inch blades instead of the standard length of 0.40 inch. Both nozzles had smaller passages than the nozzles of similar shape that were previously investigated. The performance of the nozzle-blade combinations is evaluated in terms of brake, rotor, and blade efficiency as functions of blade-jet speed ratio for three pressure ratios" (p. 1).

Results of previous model ditching tests of the Lockheed Constellation airplane are reported. Further model tests have been made to determine the probable ditching characteristics and the proper ditching technique for the airplane with the Speedpak attached. This paper presents the results of these tests. Design information was furnished by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. A three-vies drawing of the airplane with the Speedpak attached is shown. The tests were made in calm water at the Langley tank no.2 monorail.

"There has been under development for the high-speed wind tunnel of the LFA an optical measuring arrangement for the qualitative and quantitative investigation of flow. By the use of interference measurements, the determination of density at the surface of the bodies being tested in the air stream and in the vicinity of these bodies can be undertaken. The results obtained so far in the simple preliminary investigations show that it is possible, even at a low Reynolds number, to obtain the density field in the neighborhood of a test body by optical means" (p. 1).

A model of a Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation Skate 7 sea-plane was tested in Langley tank no. 2. Resistance data, spray photographs, and underwater photographs are given in this report without discussion.

Memorandum presenting an exploratory investigation to determine the aerodynamic effects of camber on a 60 degree apex delta-wing model conducted in the 300 mph 7- by 10-foot tunnel. Camber variation was accomplished through the deflection of full-span round and 25 degree beveled leading-edge flaps on a flat-sided triangular plan-form wing.

Report presenting an investigation of the experimental performance of chlorine triflouride and hydrazine measured over a range of propellant mixtures in a 100-pound-thrust rocket engine. Experimental values of specific impulse, volume specific impulse, heat rejection per propellant weight, nozzle thrust coefficient, and characteristic velocity were obtained as functions of percent fuel by weight in the propellant mixture.

Report presenting a flight investigation of rocket-powered models at high-subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds to determine the zero-lift drag of fin-stabilized bodies of revolution differing in maximum diameter. All bodies had 6.04 fineness ratio and cut-off sterns with equal base area. The most favorable location out of the 20-percent, 40-percent, and 60-percent positions were evaluated for different speeds.

Report presenting the results of flight tests showing lateral oscillation in the Bell X-1 and calculations created to determine the effects of changes in several mass and aerodynamic parameters on the lateral oscillations. Calculations indicate that lateral stability should be improved by a more positive inclination of the principal axis of inertia or a reduction of the value of yawing moment of inertia.

Report presenting an approximate method for calculating the interference pressure distribution at zero lift of a symmetrical sweptback wing mounted on a circular cylindrical body with the chord plane of the wing passing through the axis of the body. An example is provided using a circular cylindrical body and an untapered wing with 60 degrees of sweepback.

Report presenting an investigation of a series of flame holders designed with the objective of providing a high combustion efficiency in a ramjet combustor at an inlet air velocity of 200 feet per second, inlet-air pressure of 60 inches of mercury absolute, inlet air temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and near stoichiometric fuel-air ratio. Results regarding the preliminary experiments, two parallel rows of gutters, three rows of gutters, staggered gutters, simultaneous use of three rows and staggered gutters, use of molybdenum, and magnitude of pressure fluctuations are provided.

Report presenting data from 95 subsonic flutter tests conducted in the flutter research tunnel on untapered cantilever wings with sweepback angles of 0, 45, and 60 degrees and carrying a single concentrated weight. The primary purpose of the investigation was to present experimental information to be used to evaluate analytical procedures for determining the flutter speed of weighted sweptback wings. The dynamic pressure, flutter velocity, Mach number, natural and flutter frequencies, and phase-angle relationships of the stresses for the natural and flutter frequencies are presented.

Report presenting wind-tunnel testing to determine the independent effects of Mach and Reynolds numbers on the aerodynamic characteristics of a wing-fuselage combination with a wing with the leading edge swept back 63 degrees and with camber and twist. Results regarding the fuselage alone and the effects of camber and twist are also provided.