Laminar-flow airfoils???

[pdawg]

What's up with these Laminar-flow airfoils? They seem to go in and out of style. They were popular in Formula-1 designs back in the 70's (LR-1A, etc.) and then they disappeared. They have recently come back in the last few years in Q-500's and have helped to set new records. Why haven't these airfoils spread to Q-40?

[Red]

Just a guess here but from my limited playing with them they don't seem to do well with high wing loadings. In racing turning is the name of the game. Quickies have a relatively light wing loading compared to Q-40's. They go like stink in a straight line, but load 'em up in a corner with too high a wing loading and it's like throwing out the anchor.

Just my worthless $.02

~Red

[pdawg]

Red,

Interesting theory, I like it! But are the wingloadings on Q-40 that much higher?

[Splatt]

Q-40 minimium weight is 4.0 LB
Q500 is 3.5 Lb.

I'm trying to think what my dago has for area, but it is a smaller wing than Q-500

[Kevin Matney]

Q/500 have 500sq in" and are 3.5 lbs
Q/40 400sq in" 4.0 lbs
F/ 1 450 5.0

So want do you think about wing loads now

[dkane]

PDAWG, some newer designs are using the laminar flow foils. Most old designs have wing molds that already existed when the laminar flow came back in style.

So if you are looking at old designs they probably are not laminar, similar to old Q-500 designs like the Revolution.

Take a look at Miss Candace from H&M or the Polecat from BBR.

Dan