random aero factoid

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Most of the van conversions that rely on Type II sheet metal are too wide in the back. This fiberglass clip has, as I calculate, a perfect extension of the body contour. It could be further optimized—fender skirts ... hitch mounted perforated base plate ... plasma trip strips ....

The guy that runs BGW knows that it gets better gas mileage but he doesn't know how much. aerohead, what would your calibrated eyeball say is the Cd? About 0.30? That would translate to 5% gas mileage.

Replace the stock hatch (which really restricts engine access, needs an electric conversion) with V-shaped side-hinged double doors. And the air intake vents with an intake in a V-shaped ducktail spoiler. Boom, instant full boat tail — [Edit:0.25].

If I had to guess,my gut says she'd have to be over Cd 0.40 because of the separate pontoon fenders.I'm thinking in terms of the Chrysler PT Cruiser which has a more 'blended' body,and Cd 0.40.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I wonder how they compare in crosswind performance, as well as lift.

Frank,that's a good one!
VW had the Rumpler car in their tunnel and might actually have yawed it and got numbers for crosswind,plus lift.
The smoke flow shows a tiny bit of separation above the bow,so she might have a tiny bit of front lift.I'd guess none at the tail.In a crosswind I'd guess that we'd feel her 'roll' with all that height.
If anyone has Hucho's more recent volumes,there might be some data on it.
The Schl'o'rwagen I'm not sure if that car survived WW-II . Obviously,there are the models showing up in the tunnels.
I'd guess that roll issues would be better than the Rumpler car,but she might have rear lift a bit.
PS,man,your Sport Coupe has some really tasty mpg numbers!

[freebeard]

...(horrible English!) the demographic who's purchased...

Who have (who've). Would have been less keystrokes to fix it.

The car is definitely airfoil-shaped in plan-view.And the panoramic tug-boat windshield with generous header radius, makes for nice penetration without separation.

What might it do with a top like this?



I was assuming the Beetle starts at 0.40. I guess I should compare to the Porsche 356.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Who have (who've). Would have been less keystrokes to fix it.



What might it do with a top like this?



I was assuming the Beetle starts at 0.40. I guess I should compare to the Porsche 356.

I started the sentence with 'But',which is what I was chastising myself for.
'who has' became who's,instead of whom have= who've.
I don't know about the little Messerschmitt.The back of the canopy end abruptly.Goro Tamai gave us these to compare

An Air Force roomate's girfriend's older brother had a Messerschmitt with which he plied the streets of Southern California ,but probably never above 35-mph.That would get that canopy design off the hook I suppose.

[freebeard]

I thought it was that pesky Possessive Noun thing.

And I suggested the Messerschitt for the WWII era plexi-bubble construction more than the shape.

A 'nuther one:



Agusta Vetturetta, 1954. The raised hood shows the boat tail shape. FWIW the image seems to have come from HEDONIA: vehicles: land: bubblecars & microcars

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by aerohead

PS,man,your Sport Coupe has some really tasty mpg numbers!

Yeah, I wish that was the result of more than one awesome but not representative of average data point.