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Old 07-07-2009, 04:17 PM   #59 (permalink)
aerohead
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struts

Quote:
Originally Posted by pvan93 View Post
Try googling NACA and report 291 for a start. The lowest drag came from a Fineness ratio of 2. A NACA search for airforms and struts also brings out some interesting information that might be applicable to cross winds.

A referance somewhere (may have been here) said the nose should have the shape of a 2 to 1 ellipse, while the tail should have a shape of a 3 to 1 ellipse. Anyone know? Just bought a trailer for my boattail. Would like to verify the 3 to 1 ellipse referance before I build anything.
Struts and wings are two-dimensional forms,and not really valid for "bodies"..Sylph uses an "airfoil" as the basis of it's body,however,it's so short(height) it's more a body-of-revolution as the trikes fuselage.It was chosen for the position of it's "thickness",for the mechanicals it was going to enclose( HONDA Gold Wing ).--------- As for a nose,below 250 mph,a prolate hemisphere( 1/4-section) is adequate.------------ The ellipse is good,the airship tail a bit better.
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