Air International 1979-02
B.Burns - 'Whys' and 'Wherefores' of Wings /Fundamentals of design/ (1)
One of the very different solutions to a similar requirement, for a supersonic interceptor: the Lockheed F-104 with 28 deg sweep, 4 per cent thickness and 0.4 taper ratio.
The brand new F-18 Hornet places design emphasis upon sustained manoeuvrability and low speed performance. Note the 18 per cent leading edge droop, scheduled automatically with incidence, together with the 28 per cent trailing edge flaps.
One of the very different solutions to a similar requirement, for a supersonic interceptor: the Dassault Mirage III, with 60 deg sweep, 5 per cent thickness and 0.1 taper ratio;
One of the very different solutions to a similar requirement, for a supersonic interceptor: the BAC Lightning with 60 deg sweep, 5 percent thickness and 0.15 taper
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, classic fighter of the 'seventies, features low trailing edge sweep to yield good flap effectiveness but has high taper and thin tips provoking early separation onset. Sweepback is 50 deg, thickness from 6 per cent to 3 per cent and taper 0.2.