Aerodynamics are an essential part of aircraft design. While the chief designers often have known names, what about the men who were responsible for aerodynamics. Were there especially talented aerodynamicists, to take an example out of Formula 1, the legendary Adrian Newey who would improve the craft to being serial winners everywhere he went?
Known aerodynamicists?
- Thread starter spicmart
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SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
Wilbur and Orville Wright come to mind. They built a wind tunnel to test designs.
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At least I've read that Newey was one, wasn't he, or how would he describe himself as?
But it's about WW2 aircraft aerodynamics.
He has a fist class honours degree in aeronautics and astronautics. F1 cars are heavily influenced by aerodynamics but also many other things too.
Aeronautics, not aerodynamics. Hence Toet, not Newey. I have a diploma in aeronautics: I would never consider myself an expert in aerodynamics, though I do know what the Reynolds Number is.
I think they also designed their engines and props.
I agree, Newey is older than me and I remember when aerodynamics started in F1 as we now know it with shakey upside down wings, with the science not just about speed as in low drag but creating down force.
Aerodynamics is a branch of physics. The designers responsible for aerodynamics are engineers, not scientists. In my opinion, the most important contribution was made by scientists, who gave engineers the computational basis (mathematical equations, etc.). So, even the contributions of very talented engineers who dealt with aerodynamic problems like sir Stanley Hooker (2-stage SC for Merlins) cannot be compared to the solution of extremely complex mathematical and physical problems by researchers.
An aircraft isnt designed to satisfy one science, neither is an F1 car. Even planes made for record attempts still have to take off and land with a pilot who has to survive and see where he is going. In F1 the requirement is to be the fastest over a full race distance using two different tyres and with whatever weather is experienced at the time. That isnt the fastest car through a speed trap at the end of a mile long straight.
The designers use ready-made mathematical equations to estimate parameters/optimize geometry. These equations are derived by researchers. The empirical approach cannot be ruled out completely, but designing an airplane without using the mathematical apparatus of theoretical aerodynamics is either impossible or suboptimal.
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Nowadays huge computing power is available, many phenomena can be simulated with CFD software, which uses mathematical apparatus developed by theoretical aerodynamicists.
Upside-down wings started with Michael May's Porsche 550 and then started being developed fully in the Can-Am. As with many things (slicks, telemetry, turbos, composites, monococques etc), F1 lagged some way behind.
If you're looking for motorsport aerodynamicists then I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
But wasn't the subject about WW2 aerodynamicists? Hence my suggestion of Ed Horkey.
I agree with that too, Newey was named in the original post and works in F1 not Can-Am.
The equations are not a constant they are based on what is known about what is available, but material science is evolving too. If you gave all the plans for an F35 to Wilbur and Orville Wright in 1903 they would be impressed but they couldnt build one, and probably couldnt get one built in their lifetimes.
Yet Newey was a bad example: is this thread looking for WW2 aerodynamicists?
ThomasP
Senior Master Sergeant
Geoffrey de Havilland
Even in WW2 the aerodynamicists were part of a team and it needs the team and the business and some luck for a design to be successful. If the British hadnt ordered the Mustang AND the USA developed a need for an escort fighter AND the two stage Merlin AND high octane fuels would anyone associated with the P-51 be known today?
