Static Longitudinal Stability of a Tandem-Coupled Bomber-Fighter Airplane Configuration Proposed by All American Airways, Inc.

At the request of the Air Materiel Command an investigation was made in the Langley free-flight tunnel to determine the static longitudinal stability and control characteristics of models coupled together in a tandem configuration proposed by All American Airways, Inc. Force tests were made using 1/20-scale models of B-29 end F-80 airplanes to determine the effects of coupling the fighter to the tail of the bomber. The results of the investigation showed that for the bomber alone the aerodynamic center was 0.21 mean aerodynamic chord behind the center of gravity (stable) but that for the tandem configuration the aerodynamic center was 0.09 mean aerodynamic chord forward of the center of gravity, of the combination (unstable). The elevator effectiveness of the bomber was reduced approximately 50 percent by addition of the fighter. Some recent flight tests made in the free-flight tunnel with models simulating the proposed configuration indicate that the reduction in stability may be minimized by incorporating a hinged coupling permitting freedom in pitch.