>Perpendicular to the LOCAL LE ?? >Wow! I had no idea. Personally I've always favored squared-off tips. >Should I re-think this?
The local LE shape is significant as long as the local sweep is not excessive, so the velocity component normal to the leading edge is still significant. The square-tip edge has a zero normal velocity component, so its shape is less important. One reason I like rounded tip LEs, and try to get a half-decent LE shape all around the tip is that a glider will sometimes sideslip. A RES ship will definitely sideslip, possibly quite a lot. A swept LE will then see an almost perpendicular flow, and hence its shape will matter in keeping the profile drag low in the slip maneuver. - Mark RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
