An experimental investigation on the flutter characteristics of a model flying wing

Abstract

This report describes some preliminary experimental work that has been carried out in an attempt to gain information on the flexural-torsional flutter characteristics of flying wing types of aircraft. Tests were made with two flexible tip-to-tip models : (A) Rectangular plan form; (B) Cranked and tapered plan form. The method of supporting the models in the wind tunnel allowed certain bodily freedoms to be present either singly or simultaneously, and measurements were made of critical speeds and frequencies, and in a few cases the flutter motion was analysed by means of cinematograph records. The experimental results are in no way conclusive and cannot be directly applied to full-scale problems, but they do point to some of the difficulties in the treatment of the flutter of flying wings. Further, the difficulties encountered during the flutter tests themselves lead to suggested modifications in the technique of providing a model in a wind tunnel with the bodily freedoms appropriate to free flight conditions.