Free-Spinning-Tunnel Tests of a 1/27-Scale Model of the Douglas XF3D-1 Airplane, TED No. NACA DE 312

Free-spinning-tunnel tests have been made on a 1/27-scale model of the Douglas XF3D-1 airplane to confirm a preliminary evaluation made of the airplane spin and recovery characteristics and previously reported. Recovery characteristics were satisfactory for erect and inverted spins when the model was in the clean condition. When the slow-down brakes were open, recoveries were slow. The pedal force necessary to reverse the airplane rudder during a spin will be within the physical capabilities of the pilot. A 10-foot-diameter parachute attached to the tail of the airplane (laid-out-flat diameter, drag coefficient 0.7) or a 4.5-foot-diameter parachute attached to the outboard wing tip will be satisfactory for emergency spin recovery from demonstration spins. If it becomes necessary for the crew to abandon the airplane during a spin, they should leave from the outboard side of the cockpit. The test results indicated spin and recovery characteristics generally similar to those indicated in the preliminary evaluation.