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Richard Whitcomb with Area Rule Wind Tunnel Model, USA, April 20, 1955. Creator: Unknown
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Richard Whitcomb with Area Rule Wind Tunnel Model, USA, April 20, 1955. Creator: Unknown
Richard Whitcomb with Area Rule Wind Tunnel Model, USA, April 20, 1955. Aviation pioneer Richard Whitcomb worked at the Langley Research Center in Virginia throughout his exceptionally prolific life. His first major breakthrough was the development of the " area rule, " which dramatically reduced drag, particularly at high speeds. He won the Collier Trophy on December 18, 1954, in recognition of this breakthrough. He is shown here in the Langley 8-Ft Transonic Wind Tunnel with an Area Ruled Aircraft test model. Whitcomb later went on to develop the supercritical airfoil and winglets
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Media ID 24045149
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1950s Aerodynamics Aeronautical Engineer Aeronautics Aircraft Aviation Engineer Engineering Exploration Fifties Flight Heritage Space Innovation Langley Research Center Model Nasa Scientist Space Space Exploration Space Travel Speed Test Testing Wind Tunnel Air Transport
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a significant moment in aviation history. The image showcases Richard Whitcomb, an esteemed American aeronautical engineer, with an Area Rule Wind Tunnel Model at the Langley Research Center in Virginia on April 20,1955. Richard Whitcomb was renowned for his groundbreaking work in aerodynamics and made remarkable contributions to the field throughout his prolific career. His most notable achievement was the development of the "area rule" a concept that revolutionized aircraft design by significantly reducing drag, especially at high speeds. This breakthrough earned him the prestigious Collier Trophy on December 18,1954. In this photograph, we see Whitcomb standing confidently beside an Area Ruled Aircraft test model inside the Langley 8-Ft Transonic Wind Tunnel. This facility served as a crucial testing ground for advancements in aerospace technology during that era. Whitcomb's ingenuity did not stop there; he later went on to develop both the supercritical airfoil and winglets, further enhancing aircraft performance and fuel efficiency. This image is not only a testament to Richard Whitcomb's immense contribution to aviation but also serves as a reminder of America's pioneering spirit in space exploration and technological innovation during the mid-20th century.
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