Flight Tests of Dive-Recovery Flaps on an XP-51 Airplane
Abstract
A flight investigation was 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. This dive-recovery 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. Tests were made for a range of Mach numbers to 0.76 at an altitude of approximately 20,000 feet. The results of the tests showed that the flap effectiveness decreased after a Mach number of 0.65 was reached and indicated that a satisfactory dive recovery could be made by deflecting the dive-recovery flaps 21.5 deg at Mach numbers up to the estimated terminal Mach number of the airplane. Results calculated from data obtained in tests using a 30 deg flap deflection indicated that the design load factor may be exceeded during high-speed dive recoveries at altitudes below 15,000 feet. The tests further showed that no buffeting occurred when the flaps were deflected and that no rolling of the airplane was encountered during tests when the flaps were deflected unequally.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1945
- Accession Number
- ADA801427
Entities
People
- De E. Beeler
- Walter C. Williams
Organizations
- National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics