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Scaled-Up Airfoils???

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Aerowerx

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2011
Messages
6,091
Location
Marion, Ohio
I have learned the hard way about Reynolds numbers and scaling airfoils. Fortunately it was a virtual crash and burn:).

What I had done was create my full-size XFLR5 model using the PRANDTL-D airfoils, which I think are Horten-like in design. This did not work at all when dynamically scaled to 1/8th or even 1/5th scale.

But then I changed to a Hepperle MH46, because it had the same 12% thickness and was made for lower Reynolds numbers (besides low pitch moment). After a it of tweaking, all the models worked fine.

Since the MH46 was designed for the lower Reynolds numbers, my question is: Are there any problems with scaling an airfoil up in size to use at higher Reynolds numbers?
 
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