Projects Front engine dragster aluminum chute tail

The airfoil shape I used is the Clark Y. It has a thickness of 11.7 percent and a good lift-to-drag ratio at the speeds my dragster should run. (It was used on the Waco biplanes and the Spirit of St. Louis.)

 

The ribs have a wall thickness of .070". They are attached to formers which measure 1.5" O.D and .75" O.D. respectively. The wall thickness of these are .030".



The overall dimensions are 24" x 14.5" (or 2.4 square feet).
My friends who fly said that this was way too overbuilt and would never get off the ground. "That's the whole point", I replied

 

Don Long front wing kit

 

That explains a lot. Thanks for posting. Were these also the pattern for the side wings that got so popular in 1971?

 

Temporary wood fixture kept the framework elevated allowing me to use Clecos on both sides while wrapping the wing skin.

 

Yes they were, Bore the inner spar at the "X" and towards the back where it comes together for tube supports and corresponding bolt holes on the outer spar. slide assy into frame mounts and pin.

The shape had enough cross section that no other internal spar or frame work was needed for the front. The rear cannards were just mudflaps to kick the air over the headers and tires and really did create that much downforce, but since the stall was so high , it needed the support tubing.
Funny story---- Don once hid lead inside a front wing to fool everyone that he could build a car that didnt need any front ballast and that the wing would suffice.

 

Just my opinion here and not telling you what to do because what you did is great.

personaly to me the wing is a little wide and detracts my eye from the rest of the aluminum work. A wing is a bold statement and its overshadowing the nose and the front end detail. Second is the side plates (again to me) I think the shape should conture the shape of the foil. Everthing about you car screams 60's full body era dragster but with a latemodel wing. enjoy your toy

 

I value your opinion and I agree with you on both counts. The wing is larger than average and the spill plates are most definitely not period correct.
Anyone else want to weigh in?

 

Non period correct.