X-21's (B-66 Laminar flow) spotted derelict

[sandiego89]

Stumbled across both of the X-21's derelict on the photo range near Edwards AFB while surfing google maps. Would be neat if one (plus the Snoopy B-58) were dragged to the museum ramp. F-100 and F-101 along the same road. Interesting that the laminar flow wing did indeed work, but had to be kept super clean.

34.836762, -117.742816

https://goo.gl/maps/KvuetP595yG2

https://goo.gl/maps/tvuPxmnR7BR2

[Liffy 1M]

If you scroll down a bit in this photo collection you will find close-up images of the X-21s and other aircraft on the Edwards ranges.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottishops/albums/72157681278460410

[El Bunto]

Nice find!

Interesting that the laminar flow wing did indeed work, but had to be kept super clean.


They'd discovered that with the P-51's best-we-can-do-in-1940 laminar wing, to a lesser degree of laminar purity. It had to be kept scrupulously clean to have any effect otherwise it became turbulent earlier on the chord. The wind tunnel laminar flow remained until 60% of chord which was very very good, but in service it was somewhat less. But still well beyond a traditional aerofoil's 20%.

With the X-21 but the problem just seems to have scaled proportionally.