High-Speed Aerodynamic Characteristics of a 1/7-Scale Model of the Northrop YB-49 Airplane

Tests were conducted to find the effects of compressibility on the longitudinal stability and control of a 1/7-scale semispan model of the Northrop YB-49 airplane. Lift, drag, pitching moment, and elevon hinge moments were measured and are presented in graphical form. The results show that, due to a loss of lift on the outboard portion of the wing, the longitudinal static stability decreased rapidly as the Mach numbers increased above 0.735 the model experienced a climbing moment at positive lift coefficients. Also, a longitudinal-control effectiveness began to decrease at a Mach number of about 0.72