Aerodynamic Characteristics of an A-4B Aircraft with Simulated and Actual Gunfire Damage to One Wing

The aerodynamic characteristics of a damaged McDonnell Douglas A-4B aircraft were studied in the Ames Research Center's 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel. A standard fuselage and three different wings were used. The first wing tested was an undamaged one in which holes had been cut and detachable cover plates installed. Removal of one or more cover plates gave one of fourteen different simulated damage cases. The other two wings tested were damaged by actual gunfire at an Air Force range.