The operation of the Fast Reactor is considered in terms of normal equilibrium conditions and normal shut-down. The proposed loading, control rod adjustment and subsequent "floating" operation are discussed. Safety devices and interlocks are described. Temperature and reactivity changes are examined with respect to various system failures, phase changes, and "flashing" of the reactor. Slow changes due to faulty slug cooling are also considered. The calculations were initially based upon 10 kw operation. Performance tests of the mercury system now indicate that 20-kw operation may be feasible.

From introduction: "The discovery of element number 96, curium, was realized by the preparation and identification of the isotope Cm-242 by G. T. Seaborg, R. A. James and A. Ghiorso by cyclotron bombardment of Pu-239 with helium ions."

From abstract: "A comparison has been made of methods for producing Fe59 of higher specific activity than that obtainable by irradiating natural iron in the Clinton pile. Five processes have been considered, (1) irradiation of natural iron in the Hanford piles, (2) irradiation of enriched F58 in the Clinton and Hanford piles, (3) Szilard-Chalmers enrichment using ferrocyanides in the Clinton pile, (4) collection of recoils in a phase separable from the bulk of the iron, and (5) the Co59 (n,p) Fe59 reaction in the Clinton and Hanford piles."

Report presenting the results of two runs made with liquid diborane and hydrogen peroxide in a small-scale rocket engine. The first run was very erratic and modifications were made to the testing apparatus and procedures for the second run. In the second run, the combustion started immediately and continued smoothly for 12 seconds of operation.

Report presenting an investigation in the free-flight tunnel to determine the low-speed, power-off dynamic stability and control characteristics of a model with a 35 degree sweptback wing. The investigation consisted of force and flight tests of the model and calculations of the lateral oscillatory stability with wing-tip fuel tanks off and on.

Report presenting an investigation of control systems suitable for target-seeking missiles. Testing occurred in the free-flight tunnel of the GB-5 glide bomb equipped with a light-seeker control unit which applied flicker control. Results indicated that good stability could be obtained with the control system, but was somewhat less stable than with a proportional control system.

Measured values of lift, drag, and pitching moment at M(sub o) = 1.53 are presented for seven wings varying in sweep angle from 60 degrees sweepforward to 60 degrees sweepback. All wings had a cambered, double-wedge section 5-percent thick and a common taper ratio of 0.5. The experimental results are compared with the predictions of the linear theory.

Report presenting an investigation to determine the high-speed performance and static longitudinal stability and control characteristics of a model of the Lockheed YP-80A airplane. High-speed aerodynamic characteristics are presented for speeds up to Mach number 0.96. Results regarding the scale effects, longitudinal stability, and longitudinal-control effectiveness are provided.

Aerodynamic and icing investigations of internal water-inertia separation inlets designed to prevent automatically entrance of large quantities of water into a turbojet engine in icing conditions was conducted on a one-half scale model. A simplified analytical approach to the design of internal water-inertia separation inlets is included. Results show that in order to be effective in preventing screen and guide-vane icing for an inlet of this type, a ram-pressure recovery of 75 percent was attained at design inlet-velocity ratio in an icing condition. For nonicing operation, ram-pressure recovery is comparable to direct-ram inlet.

An investigation has been made in the Langley full-scale tunnel of a 47.5 degree sweptback wing-fuselage combination equipped for boundary-layer control by suction. The wing aspect ratio was 3.5, the taper ratio was 0.5 and the airfoil sections normal to the quarter-chord line were NACA 61(sub 1)-A112. Tests included the plain wing and the wing with various combinations of extensible leading-edge and split flaps.

Report presenting an investigation of a series of 16-inch-diameter ramjet engine in free flight in order to determine the performance of ramjet units in flight at supersonic speeds and to study methods for improving the performance. Results regarding the telemeter data recorded by ground stations, static pressures, variation of altitude with time after release, variation of flight velocities, and fuel-air ratio are provided. Partial failure of the measuring equipment prevented a complete evaluation of engine performance.

Report explaining some different categories of special refractory materials. These categories of materials and their properties are discussed as well as the specific materials that fall into these categories.

Report describing the results of corrosion tests on 68 types of materials. Generally, most materials were tested with an agitator and vapor and some were tested a 3rd way with alternate immersion.

Abstract: "The uranium content of badly contaminated uranium solutions may be determined quickly using visual comparison methods to an accuracy of [...]. This accuracy may be considerably improved by employing the fluorimeter herein described. Interfering ions and their removal using liquid-liquid extractions are considered."

"In an investigation of the J-33-A-21 and the J-33-A-23 compressors with and without water injection, it was discovered that the compressors reacted differently to water injection although they were physically similar. An analysis of the effect of water injection on compressor performance and the consequent effect on matching of the compressor and turbine components in the turbojet engine was made. The analysis of component matching is based on a turbine flow function defined as the product of the equivalent weight flow and the reciprocal of the compressor pressure ratio" (p. 1).

"An analysis of the estimated high-speed flying qualities of the Chance Vought XF7U-1 airplane in the Mach number range from 0.40 to 0.91 has been made, based on tests of an 0.08-scale model of this airplane in the Langley high-speed 7- by 10-foot wind tunnel. The analysis indicates longitudinal control-position instability at transonic speeds, but the accompanying trim changes are not large. Control-position maneuvering stability, however, is present for all speeds. Longitudinal lateral control appear adequate, but the damping of the short-period longitudinal and lateral oscillations at high altitudes is poor and may require artificial damping" (p. 1).

Report presenting testing of half-span models of two wings of different plan form as both all-movable and fixed surfaces in the presence of a half fuselage. All-movable surfaces are being considered for supersonic aircraft as possible angle-of-attack indicators, control surfaces, and all-movable wings. Results regarding the lift characteristics, center of pressure, and drag of the wings are provided.

"This report presents the results of the tests of a power-plant installation to improve the circumferential pressure-recovery distribution at the face of the engine. An underslung "C" cowling was tested with two propellers with full cuffs and with a modification to one set of cuffs. Little improvement was obtained because the base sections of the cuffs were stalled. A set of guide vanes boosted the over-all pressures and helped the pressure recoveries for a few of the cylinders" (p. 1).

Report presenting an investigation to study the influence of high relative inlet Mach number on the performance of a highly loaded blade row. Twenty-nine rotor blades were installed in a compressor rotor and static and total pressure, total temperature, and flow-angle surveys were taken upstream and downstream of the row.

"The ditching characteristics of the Lockheed XR60-1 airplane were determined by tests of a 1/24-scale dynamic model in calm water at the Langley tank no. 2 monorail. Various landing attitudes, flap settings, speeds, and conditions of damager were investigated. The ditching behavior was evaluated from recordings of decelerations, length of runs, and motions of the model" (p. 1).

"An investigation has been conducted in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel on the 1/20-scale model of the Chance Vought XF6U-1 airplane altered to represent the XF6U-1 airplane as it will be spin-tested in flight, and also altered to represent the F6U-1 airplane as it will be produced for service use. Spin tests were made to determine the effects of control settings and movements at the normal loading. The results show that the spins obtained on the revised XF6U-1 airplane will be oscillatory in roll and yaw and that recoveries by rudder reversal will be rapid" (p. 1).

Strain gages were used to measure blade vibrations possibly causing failure in the 10-stage compressor of the 19XB jet-propulsion engine. The seventh and tenth stages were of great concern as a result of failures experienced by the manufacturer. Strain-gage records were obtained from all stages during acceleration, deceleration, and constant speed runs. Curves are presented herein showing the maximum allowable vibratory stress for a given speed, the change of the damping coefficient with the mounting of a strain gage at the base of the blade, the effect of rotor speed, on blade natural frequency, and the effect of the order of first bending-mode vibration on stress. It was found that for all stages the lower the order of vibration the higher the stress but no destructive vibrations were detected.