Incompressible Aerodynamics [antikvár]

PREFACE This particular volume of the Fhiid Motion Memoirs is concerned mainly with the uniform flow of fluid past certain kinds of body, and with tlie methods by which we may predict tlie physical characteristics of such flow. The scope of the book is limited in two important respects: the flows chosen for study are all more or less closely related to the problems of the flight of aircraft, and phenomena associated with the compressibility of fluid or with the unsteadiness of its flow are, as a general rule, ignored. Even with these restrictions, many categories of flow have had to be excluded. But in aerodjoiamics one can discern certain distinct lines of development and it is on these that the book runs, to branch off only occasionally towards those which seem of special interest. There are few historical perspectives in this account—there is too much to be seen as it is. And by focusing our view sharply only on existing knowledge, we blur that most exciting feature of any science, the leap-frogging of theory and experiment by which our knowledge of the physical world is jerkily advanced. So you are invited to read between the lines and to appreciate the skill by which both theoretician and experimentalist stimulate and react upon each other's efforts. The general plan of the book was, of course, settled some years ago, and the balance which is struck between the competing claims of the various topics reflects the views of aerodynamic theory current at that time; nevertheless, it has been possible to incorporate into the text many results from researches reported during the last few years and even as recently as 1959. To those named on the facing page I owe a great personal debt, for they have done much more than ofier their original contributions. My editorial task could not possibly have been completed without their sustained patience and sympathetic co-operation, and I am deeply grateful to them all for a most rewarding experience. The shortcomings of this book are entirely my responsibility and for them I apologize as much to my collaborators as to the reader. I am very specially indebted to E. J. Watson for his valuable commentary on the typescript at a late stage of its preparation, and to N. Gregory, Secretary of the Aerofoil Theory Panel of the A.R.C.,