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Old 03-11-2020, 07:22 PM   #512 (permalink)
freebeard
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prandtl-D
Quote:
The first two vehicles of the program showed twist of the airfoil in providing an bell shaped lift distribution instead of the elliptical distribution. This feature gave an efficiency boost and reduced strain on the wings.

In March 2016, Bowers published a technical paper entitled, “On Wings of the Minimum Induced Drag: Spanload Implications for Aircraft and Birds,” NASA/TP – 2016-219072. Detailing the aerodynamic properties and mathematics associated with the project, Bowers discusses in depth the science behind altering the spanload distribution on aircraft wings and the data gathered from experiments that demonstrated validation of its critical principles.[3][7]
Thinking about it more, I guess it's resisting spanwise airflow with washout at the tips so they don't offer lift; maintaining the 2D nature of the flow.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Xist
I think the front wing is supposed to move air over the tire.
You'd think a monoplane wing would do that. There must be some countervailing factor. Lots of interference drag.

Did you notice the tuft grids behind the tires?
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