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Flat plate vs. airfoil shaped tail surfaces

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BBerson

BBerson

Light Plane Philosopher
Joined
Dec 16, 2007
Messages
17,559
Location
Port Townsend WA
-Flat plate vs. airfoil shaped tail surfaces-

How much more drag is a typical Cub or ultralight flat plate type tail surface compared to a modern glider with a NACA 0012 or similar cantilever tail surface?

I could not find any drag data for a 1" thick flat plate to compare with NACA 0012.
Also the CUB has additional wire bracing drag.

So overall, about how much less drag does a modern cantilever tail surface airfoil compare with the flat and wire braced surface at climb and glide speeds?
I would guess about half the drag.
 
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