The aerodynamics of tracked ram air cushion vehicles-effects of pitch attitude and upper surface flow

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The aerodynamics of tracked ram air cushion vehicles-effects of pitch attitude and upper surface flow

Barrows, T.M. / Curtiss, H.C.jr / Putman, W.F.

Three types of experiments were conducted on geometrically similar models of a Tracked Ram Air Cushion Vehicle (TRACV). The first consisted of wind tunnel tests with the vehicle model positioned within a short segment of stationary guideway. In the second series of tests, the vehicle model was towed through a 300-foot guideway and the equilibrium position was measured as a function of model weight and center-of-gravity location. Techniques for deriving stability information from these data are described. The third type of test used a moving carriage which held the model at a fixed orientation relative to the guideway. The data from these tests indicate some aerodynamic interference between the carriage and the flow over the upper surface of the model. Simplified theories are developed for the flow over the upper surface of the model and for the effect of pitch attitude on the flow under the lower surface. The level of agreement between the theory and the various testing techniques is discussed.(Kursetz)