LZ-TLT From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 431 posts, RR: 0 Posted (10 years 9 months 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1392 times:
Doing some research on 20's and 30's aircraft I noticed a variety of aircraft with radial engines being fitted with the so-called Townend(or Townsend) engine cowling. Could somebody explain what the reason and the benefits of using such a cowling were?
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29352 posts, RR: 62 Reply 1, posted (10 years 9 months 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1366 times:
Wasn't that the equivlent to the NACA cowling?
Just shooting from the hip here folks.
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FBU 4EVER! From Norway, joined Jan 2001, 998 posts, RR: 7 Reply 2, posted (10 years 9 months 2 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 1312 times:
The Townend Ring was a British design that appeared just after the First World War and was extensively used on British A/c until the early -30's.I'm not sure but I think NACA developed this design into the NACA Cowling which had a somewhat longer chord and better airflow characteristics on the inside to aid cylinder cooling.
FBU 4EVER! From Norway, joined Jan 2001, 998 posts, RR: 7 Reply 5, posted (10 years 9 months 1 week 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 1170 times:
Yes,LZ-TLT,the result was better cooling.By tapering the aft opening,the air that was heated and expanded around the engine had to accellerate through the cowling,thus increasing cooling efficiency.
The P-51 Mustang received a 15 mph speed increase by the radiator cooling air.Sort of jet effect,really.Whether this was the case with Townend/NACA cowlings too,I don't know.
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From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 431 posts, 
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