BILL....
"YA DON'T NEED TO GO TO THE BASEMENT FOR A FIRE-"RETARDED" SUIT!"
Many studies were conducted by our Flutter model design engineers and model shop...on low speed airfoils and one I especially remember was a NASA co-sponsored (about the point in time...shortly after that successful human-pedal powered ultra-light.)
We conducted that test at the UofW. with not only using smoke but also attaching P.drag & neon tuffs to various airfoil locations and after reviewing all those video movies some interesting non-conclusions were found that really left many of us saying "HUHHH????
I had quite a few conversations about my control line stunt model, and their airfoils etc...and how so many of the latest new control stunt model designs (new at that time n' space) was going to fatter and blunter airfoil leading edges with apparent success.
But the wierd test data and input that we kept getting was quite surprising to me, the engineering staff and my other stunt model flyin buds...and left us more confused than enlightened???? HB~> HB~>
That combined with the low wing loadings and the relative SLOW MODEL SPEEDS THAT OUR MODELS FLY...the lift and drag numbers were pretty much the same, regardless how blunt, sharp or flat the leading edges or airfoil thickness. So with in reason...(I AM CERTAINLY NOT AERODYNAMICAL' WIZZZZZKID' like our very finest and most successful stunt model flyers have shown us.
With that in mind...I am sure to join you model-meistro Little, and go find my own FIRE-RETARDO-STUNT SUIT...AND JOIN YOU IN YELLING!!!!
FLAMES.....FLAMES....FLAMES.....FIRE...N....SMOKE!!!! AND SIMPLY JUST TRY TO ALWAYS BUILD AS LIGHT AS POSSIBLE. AND THE REST WILL FOLLOW!!!~ DV^^ DV^^ (PE**) **)