Warbird Information Exchange

That's an RF-86. Did it actually demonstrate better trans-sonic behavior?

Richard

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I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.

First, it's not just an "RF-86". It's an RF-86F, specifically a "Project Haymaker" RF-86F. The RF-86A and some of the later (non-Haymaker) RF-86F's did not have them as they used different cameras.

Second, yes, the cheek bulges showed somewhat improved performance overall in cruise; not just at trans-sonic speed. The cheeks provided enough drag offset that even with 4 drop tanks, the RF-86F was faster than the normal fighters with 2 tanks and required the pilots to use the speed brakes to keep from running away from their escorts (on the rare occasion they used them) while maintaining good throttle setting (as the J47 is notoriously slow spooling at lower throttle settings).

I believe it's been since determined that the cheeks were actually creating less of a coanda effect as they were creating additional lifting surfaces (a la the F-15's canopy or Conformal Fuel Tank system) that more than offset the drag they created.

Thanks, I was not aware of the effect on performance.

Richard

_________________
I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.