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Old 09-07-2020, 08:56 PM
olDave olDave is offline
Craftsman
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 174
Default Rktman, I have a more basic qstn----

Is there some reason that you are fixated on this particular planform? I mean, do you just like the looks, or did someone steer you onto this as being the "best" way to go? Not trying to be ugly here, just wondering why.

The fabled elliptical wing planform is a somewhat clumsy way to approximate an elliptical spanwise lift distribution to strive for minimum induced drag on a real aircraft. The same spanwise distribution can be achieved with a constant-chord wing planform by varying the airfoil section along the span, or can be quite closely approximated by using a trapezoidal planform with taper ratios of 0.10 to 0.30. Several ways to get there--

And all that theoretical aerodynamic stuff goes right out the window when you are working with model rocketry stuff at very very low Reynolds numbers. A flat plank (no airfoil at all) with a simple planform shape works just as well. Think in terms of insect wings.
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