To Herbert F Kilian
>>how can the Europa wing claim a decent laminar flow with a wing built on (more
or less) precise styrofoam cores.<<
Modern laminar flow sections are less critical than the old ones, the sailplanes
don't suffer quite so much in rain as they used to. Also the laminar flow is
more dependant on waviness than a really accurate profile.
Ivan expected to have to alter the wing design so opted for the flexibility of
a
Rutan construction.
In fact the section was designed for the mission by an experienced big jet
aerodynamicist. It does seem to work.
Graham
|