FX63-137

• FX63-137A-PT (Fig. 12.40)

• FX63-137B-PT (Fig. 12.41)

The high-lift, 13.6% thick Wortmann FX63-137 is often selected in feasibility studies of high altitude, long endurance, unmanned aircraft24. Such aircraft are envisioned for missions where manned platforms are impractical, for example: long-duration reconnaissance, surveillance, search and rescue, meteorology and mapping, relay of radio and television, etc. Because of the strong interest in the FX63-137, it has been widely tested in other facilities. At Princeton the FX63-137 was used to make comparisons with the other tunnels (see Section 2.4).

The FX63-137 was first tested without Monokote covering (version A) and then with covering (B). As it came from the builder, the model was sheeted with heavy grain obeche which was varnished smooth; however, the grain was not completely filled by the varnish. With the Monokote covering the wood grain was effectively filled, but this had little effect on the airfoil performance. It will later be shown (see SD7032) that the differences between smooth and rough surfaces can have measurable effects on performance by influencing transition.

Also see: SD7062, S4233, MB253515, SD7043, SPICA

Digitizer plot: Fig. 10.16

Polar plot: Figs. 12.40, 12.41

Thickness: 13.59% Camber: 5.94%