A Study of Mach One Wind Tunnels

Abstract
The simulation in wind tunnels of flows with a sonic free stream velocity is studied from the theoretical standpoint, and a preliminary experimental phase is also described. The solutions which are valid asymptotically are extended to include higher order terms so that flow patterns at distances of technical interest from bodies with and without lift can be discussed. This is done with a view toward determining the essential characteristics which streamlines near a wind tunnel wall would have to possess if the simulation of Mach One flow were to be obtained, and also toward determining which body shape parameters are needed in order to apply the correct scale factors. The results indicate that the ratio of model to tunnel size where a single parameter is sufficient to give the conditions at the wall is quite large. A set of preliminary wing tunnel tests was made with inclined plane walls in the tests section. This approximation of the correct streamline contour yielded data which appears to be in good agreement with the theoretical results at Mach One.

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