Because the results of preliminary flight tests had indicated that the P-63A-1 pursuit possessed insufficient directional stability, vertical-tail modifications, including an enlarged vertical tail, were suggested. The enlarged vertical tail involved only a slight increase in total vertical-tail area from 23.75 to 26.58 square feet, but a relatively much larger increase in geometric aspect ratio from 1.24 to 1.73. Tests results showed that the enlarged vertical tail approximately doubled the directional stability.
Flight Investigation of Effect of Various Vertical-Tail Modifications on the Directional Stability and Control Characteristics of the P-63A-1 Airplane (AAF No. 42-68889)
1946
41 pages
Report
No indication
English