Report presenting a flight investigation made of boundary-layer and profile-drag characteristics of smooth wing sections of a P-47D airplane. Measurements were made at three stations on the wing: boundary-layer measurements, pressure-distribution measurements, and wake surveys. The results indicated that a minimum profile-drag coefficient of 0.0062 for the smooth section at 63 percent semispan was obtained.

Report discussing an open box joined to a closed box subjected to torsional loading. A stiff bulkhead and a flexible bulkhead were tested at the discontinuity and the results were compared to a previously published theory. Stress distribution was found to not be sensitive to bulkhead stiffness when the stiffness is large, but the calculations became sensitive to errors in estimating when the stiffness was small.

Report presenting pressure-distribution measurements obtained from the horizontal tail surfaces of the Curtiss P-40K airplane during low-speed pull-ups to abrupt stall in which tail buffeting was experienced. The chordwise load distributions during buffeting are similar to those experienced during angle-of-attack changes. The location of the stall and frequency of stall disturbances are also described.

Report presenting flight tests of an all-movable horizontal tail installed on a Curtiss XP-42 airplane due to its possible advantages as a longitudinal control at high Mach numbers. The elevator control was found to be unsatisfactory with the control arrangements tested.

Lift characteristics and pressure distribution for a NACA 230 wing were investigated for an angle of attack range of from -10 to +24 degrees and Mach range of from 0.2 to 0.7. Maximum lift coefficient increased up to a Mach number of 0.3, decreased rapidly to a Mach number of 0.55, and then decreased moderately. At high speeds, maximum lift coefficient was reached at from 10 to 12 degrees beyond the stalling angle. In high-speed stalls, resultant load underwent a moderate shift outward.

Report presenting wind-tunnel testing in two-dimensional and three-dimensional flow to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of spoilers on tail surfaces for low-speed flight. Test results indicated that spoilers on tail surfaces showed little possibility of replacing conventional control surfaces. Results regarding a flap alone, rear spoiler alone, forward spoiler alone, forward spoiler and flap, and a combination of forward and rear spoilers on upper and lower surfaces in both types of flow are provided.

Report discusses the results of testing on a linked differential flap system upon the effective-dihedral characteristics of an airplane scale model. The negative dihedral changes caused by power can be materially reduced or eliminated by use of a differential flap system. The static directional stability also increased with differential flap action.

Report presenting tests in a seal test chamber to determine the hinge moments contributed by the fabric seal in an internal-balance arrangement employing a thin-plate overhang. The tests were performed with various widths of fabric sealing various widths of flap-nose gap, with a horizontal, a vertical, and a circular type of wing structure forward of the balance, and with various heights of balance chamber. Results regarding seal-profile photographs, desired seal-moment characteristics, experimental seal-moment characteristics, effect of the balance configuration on the seal-moment characteristics, comparison of analytical and experimental seal-moment characteristics, computation of seal-moment characteristics by the approximate method, and application of the data are provided.

Report presenting an analysis of available data on vee-tail surfaces. The analysis indicated that a vee tail designed to provide values of stability and control parameters equal to those provided by a conventional tail would probably provide no reduction in area unless the conventional vertical tail is in a bad canopy wake or unless the vee tail has a higher effective aspect ratio than the conventional vertical and horizontal tails.

Report presenting an iteration method for determining the longitudinal control characteristics of a flexible horizontal tail. The method permits factors such as the actual spanwise variation of elasticity and the aerodynamic induction effects due to three-dimensional flow to be accounted for to any degree of accuracy needed. An analysis is also included of the effects of horizontal-tail flexibility on the tail effectiveness, the hinge-moment characteristics, and the control-force gradients in a dive recovery for two modern fighter airplanes.

Report presenting the results of a theoretical analysis of the hinge-moment characteristics of various sealed-internal-balance arrangements for control surfaces. The results of the investigation indicated that the most nearly linear control-surface hinge-moment characteristics can probably be obtained from a flexible seal over a narrow gap, which is so installed that the motion of the seal is restricted to a region behind the point of attachment of the seal to the wing structure.

Report discussing the use of variable-ratio geared tabs with an experimental elevator to improve stick-force characteristics in turning flight. The stick forces with the tabs were found to be satisfactory for a variety of center-of-gravity ranges. The ability of pilots to use the controls is also described.

Report presenting an investigation of ailerons with a beveled trialing edge and a blunt-nose overhang of 35 percent aileron chord on an NACA 66(215)-26 airfoil in two-dimensional flow. Five configurations were tested with various modifications of the aileron nose and adjacent airfoil contour to determine the effect of modifications on lift and aileron hinge-moment characteristics.

Report discussing testing on an F6F-3 with a spring-tab rudder to determine the directional stability and control characteristics. Using the spring-tab rudder was found to result in lower trim-force change with speed and lower pedal forces in sideslips than the original rudder. Pilots were found to prefer the maneuverability of this configuration.

Report presenting a comparison of two flight-test procedures for the determination of the aileron control capabilities of an airplane. The procedures consist of performing rudder-fixed aileron rolls from straight unbanked flight and from steady turning flight. Results regarding rate of roll comparison and sideslip-angle comparison are provided.

Report discussing tests on three sets of elevators with various combinations of section contour, balancing tabs, bobweights, and control-system mechanical advantage on an SB2C-1C airplane. Effects on maneuvering stability, a comparison of production elevators and recommended arrangement, and internal elevator pressures are described.

"In Mach range of 0.25 - 0.69, boundary-layer measurements were made on upper wing surface at 25% semi-span, pressure-distribution measurements made on upper surface at 63% semi-span, and wake surveys made at 63% semi-span. The minimum profile-drag coefficient of 0.0062 was indicated for smooth section at 63% semi-span. Critical mach number was exceeded by 0.04, but no compressibility shocks appeared. In slipstream, boundary layer transition occurred as far back as 20% chord on upper surface at low lift coefficients" (p. 1).

Report presenting a boundary-layer transition and profile-drag investigation on an experimental low-drag wing installed on a P-47 airplane designated the XP-47F and supplied by the Army Air Forces. Measurements were made at a section outside the propeller slipstream with smooth and with standard camouflage surfaces and on the upper surface of a section in the propeller slipstream with the surface smoothed.

Report presenting testing for two different entrance sections to supercharger systems over a range of turbine-pressure ratios. The results of flow surveys of the nozzle box for each entrance section are also provided.

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 discusses the maximum load, time to reach maximum load, and variation of load with time for prismatic floats in order to improve understanding of hydrodynamic theory for the landing impact of seaplane floats. Comparison of theoretical and experimental results and their applicability to flight impact are provided.

Report presenting data on the thermal performance and static and total pressure drop characteristics of a fluted-type exhaust gas and air heat exchanger. Results regarding heat transfer, pressure drop, and non-isothermal pressure drop are provided.

Report presenting results of tests of the thermal performance and the static pressure drop characteristics of a flat-plate type exhaust gas and air heat exchanger. The ventilating air shroud built into the heat exchanger gives characteristics of cross flow and parallel flow.

Report presenting an analysis of the thermopile radiometer as used in the measurement of irradiation and radiant power interchange is given. The theory of the instrument when used to measure irradiation and net radiant power interchange is developed, and the precautions to be observed when using it for these measurements are presented.