"The drag of five models of side floats was measured in the N.A.C.A. 7- by 10-foot wind tunnel. The most promising method of reducing the drag of floats indicated by these tests is lowering the angle at which the floats are rigged. The addition of a step to a float does not always increase the drag in the flying range, floats with steps sometimes having lower drag than similar floats without steps" (p. 1).

The results of a general tank test of a 1/6 full-size model of the hull of the P3M-1 flying boat (N.A.C.A. model 18) are given in non-dimensional form. In addition to the usual curves, the results are presented in a new form that makes it possible to apply them more conveniently than in the forms previously used. The resistance was compared with that of N.A.C.A. models 11-C and 26(Sikorsky S-40) and was found to be generally less than the resistance of either.

Four models of outboard floats (N.A.C.A. models 51-A, 51-B, 51-C, and 51-D) were tested in the N.A.C.A. tank to determine their hydrodynamic characteristics and in the 20-foot wind tunnel to determine their aerodynamic drag. The results of the tests, together with comparisons of them, are presented in the form of charts. From the comparisons, the order of merit of the models is estimated for each factor considered. The best compromise between the various factors seems to be given by model 51-D. This model is the only one in the series with a transverse step.

"In a previous paper (Technical Note No. 605), a theory was developed that required an empirical relation to calculate sound pressures for the higher harmonics. Further investigation indicated that the modified theory agrees with experiment and that the empirical relation was due to an interference phenomenon peculiar to the test arrangement used. Comparison is made between the test results for a two-blade arrangement and the theory" (p. 1).

"Rate-of-discharge curves that show the discharge characteristics of an injection system having a very short fuel passage are presented. The rate of discharge closely follows the rate of displacement of the injection-pump plunger for open nozzles in which the maximum calculated pressures at the orifice do not exceed a certain value, which is dependent on the particular injection pump. With small orifices and high pump speeds, the rate of discharge does not follow the rate of plunger displacement because the higher discharge pressure results in increased leakage with corresponding decrease in discharge rate" (p. 1).

"A study was made of the factors affecting the pressure available for ground cooling in front of a cowling. Most of the results presented were obtained with a set-up that was about one-third full scale. A number of isolated tests on four full-scale airplanes were made to determine the general applicability of the model results. The full-scale tests indicated that the model results may be applied qualitatively to full-scale design and quantitatively as a first approximation of the front pressure available for ground cooling" (p. 1).

"An investigation was made with a specially designed engine to determine the scavenging characteristics of a large number of inlet-port shapes and arrangements and the optimum port arrangement and timing for this particular type of engine. A special cylinder construction permitted wide variations in timing for this particular type of engine. A special cylinder construction permitted wide variations in timing as well as in shape and arrangement of both the inlet and exhaust ports" (p. 1).

"Tests of an 8-blade contra-propeller of 32-inch diameter in combination with a 4-inch, 36-inch diameter adjustable pitch, metal propeller at pitch setting of 15, 25, 35, and 45 degrees at 0.75 R were made. The tests showed a significant increase in effective thrust of the combination over that of the propeller alone for value V/nD somewhat below those for maximum efficiency and without a corresponding increase of power absorbed. From 1/2 percent to 2-1/2 percent in propulsive efficiency was thus gained in this range" (p. 1).

"The stall-warning indicator employs a total-head tube located close to the wing surface in a region wherein local stalling occurs before the main portion of the wing stalls. The artificial production of a localized stalled region is accomplished by means of a sharp leading edge extending a few inches along the span. An abrupt drop in the total pressure relative to a static reference taken at some convenient point occurs at the stall in this region" (p. 1).

Force tests on rubber de-icer models of several different profiles, at approximately one-third full scale, been carried out in the NACA 8-foot high speed wind tunnel. The conventional de-icer installation, deflated, added about 15 percent to the smooth-wing drag and, inflated, added about 100 percent. An improved installation with flash attaching strips added about 10 percent, deflated. The bulging, or ballooning, of de-icers from the wing surface is described and some remedies are discussed.

From Summary: "A preliminary investigation of the stalling processes of four typical airfoil sections was made over the critical range of the Reynolds Number. Motion pictures were taken of the movements of small silk tufts on the airfoil surface as the angle of attack increased through a range of angles including the stall. The boundary-layer flow also at certain angles of attack was indicated by the patterns formed by a suspension of lampblack in oil brushed onto the airfoil surface. These observations were analyzed together with corresponding force-test measurements to derive a picture of the stalling processes of airfoils."

The present tests illustrate how the aerodynamic drag of a flying boat hull may be reduced by following closely the form of a low drag aerodynamic body and the manner in which the extent of the aerodynamic refinement is limited by poorer hydrodynamic performance. This limit is not sharply defined but is first evidenced by an abnormal flow of water over certain parts of the form accompanied by a sharp increase in resistance. In the case of models 74-A and 75, the resistance (sticking) occurs only at certain combinations of speed, load, and trim and can be avoided by proper control of the trim at high water speeds.

From Summary :"A method is described of rapidly estimating the position of the laminar separation point from the given pressure distribution along a body; the method is applicable to a fairly wide variety of cases. The laminar separation point is found by the von Karman-Millikan method for a series of velocity distributions along a flat plate, which consist of a region of uniform velocity followed by a region of uniform decreased velocity. It is shown that such a velocity distribution can frequently replace the actual velocity distribution along a body insofar as the effects on laminar separation are concerned."

"The method of operators is used in the application of nonuniform-lift theory to problems of airplane dynamics. The method is adapted to the determination of the lift under prescribed conditions of motion or to the determination of the motions with prescribed disturbing forces" (p. 1).

An investigation was made to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of tapered and rectangular wings with partial-span plain flaps. Two Clark Y airfoils equipped with center section and with tip-section flaps were tested. The results showed that the aerodynamic characteristics of partial-span plain flaps were, in general, similar to those of split flaps of the same span, but that the lift and the drag were less for the wing with plain flaps than for the wing with split flaps of comparable size. For the rectangular wing with center-section plain flaps, the maximum lift and the lift-drag ratio at maximum lift were greater and the drag at maximum lift was less than for the wing with tip-section plain flaps of the same size. The maximum lift of the tapered wing varied in the same manner as that of the rectangular wing but the drag and the lift-drag-ratio relationship were opposite.

Report presenting an investigation of 24 wing-tail combinations with the weight moved from the center of gravity toward the wing tips so that the distribution of mass along the wings was increased. Results regarding the effects of wings, effects of tail arrangement, effects of control setting, relationships between spin characteristics, and comparison with results for basic loading are provided.

The gyroscopic instruments commonly used in instrument flying in the United States are the turn indicator, the directional gyro, the gyromagnetic compass, the gyroscopic horizon, and the automatic pilot. These instruments are described. Performance data and the method of testing in the laboratory are given for the turn indicator, the directional gyro, and the gyroscopic horizon. Apparatus for driving the instruments is discussed.

"The effect of restraint in pitching introduced by an automatic pilot upon the longitudinal stability of an airplane has been studied. Customary simplifying assumptions have been made in setting down the equations of motion, and the results of computations based on the simplified equations are presented to show the effect of an automatic pilot installed in an airplane of known dimensions and characteristics. The equations developed have been applied by making calculations for a Clark biplane and a Fairchild 22 monoplane" (p. 1).

"Three airfoils, the N-85, the N-86, and the N-87, were tested at the request of the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, to determine the suitability of these sections for use as propeller-blade sections. Further tests of the NACA 0009-64 airfoil were also made to measure the aerodynamic effect of thickening the trailing edge in accordance with current propeller practice. The N-86 and the N-87 airfoils appear to be nearly equivalent aerodynamically and both are superior to the N-85 airfoil" (p. 1).

"Preliminary fatigue tests on two aluminum-alloy wing-beam specimens subjected to reversed axial loading are described. The motion used consists in incorporating one or two reciprocating motors in a resonance system of which the specimen is the spring element. A description is given of the reciprocating motors, and of the method of assembling and adjusting the vibrating system" (p. 1).

An investigation was made to determine the aerodynamic properties of rectangular and tapered NACA 23012 wings with plain ailerons and a full-span split flap, the flap retracting ahead of the ailerons. Measurements were made of lift and drag and of pitching, rolling, yawing, and hinge moments for all conditions of full-span flaps neutral and deflected at different chord locations. The results of the tests showed that a 0.20c(sub w) full span split flap located at approximately the 0.75c(sub w) point gave higher lift coefficients than had previously been obtained with a conventional 0.20c(sub w) partial-span split flap of a length to permit satisfactory control with plain ailerons. Still higher lifts were obtained if the full-span flap, when deflected, was moved back to the aileron axis. Moving the flap back to the aileron, in general, improved the aileron characteristics over those with the flap retracted. The most promising arrangement of full-span split flap and plain aileron combination tested, both for high lift and lateral control, was the rectangular wing with 0.20c(sub w) deflected 60 degrees at the 0.90c(sub w) location with 0.10c(sub w) semispan ailerons.

"A large-chord NACA 23012 airfoil was tested. The airfoil extended completely across the test section, and two-dimensional flow was approximated. The model was fitted with a full-span slotted flap having a chord 25.66 percent of the airfoil chord. The ailerons investigated extended over the entire span and each had a chord 10 percent of the airfoil chord" (p. 1).

"A generalized method of analyzing experimental observations in problems of elastic stability is presented in which the initial readings of load and deflection may be taken at any load less the critical load. The analysis is an extension of a method published by Southwell in 1932, in which it was assumed that the initial readings are taken at zero load" (p. 1).

Tests were made in the NACA tank and in the NACA 7 by 10 foot wind tunnel on two models of transverse step floats and three models of pointed step floats considered to be suitable for use with single float seaplanes. The object of the program was the reduction of water resistance and spray of single float seaplanes without reducing the angle of dead rise believed to be necessary for the satisfactory absorption of the shock loads. The results indicated that all the models have less resistance and spray than the model of the Mark V float and that the pointed step floats are somewhat superior to the transverse step floats in these respects. Models 41-D, 61-A, and 73 were tested by the general method over a wide range of loads and speeds. The results are presented in the form of curves and charts for use in design calculations.