The problem considered is that of a circular plate which is supported along an internal concentric circle and subjected to uniform pressure over the area bounded by the support line; the outer edge of the plate is free. This form of loading and support is used in the testing of glass panels, where the rigidity of the panel is determined from a measurement of the central deflexion. However, the formula in current use does not allow for the stiffening effect of the overhanging outer annulus.

Recently some data from tests done on a cambered plate have been published. The shape of metal plate aerofoil tested matched that taken up by a flexible two-dimensional sail. The most striking result in the rneasurements was the waviness present near the leading edge in the upper surface pressure distribution. To find the theoretical conditions under which such a waviness would occur a parabolic skeleton aerofoil was investigated, as this shape differed little from the actual aerofoil tested.

When Man first dreamt of flying, he most probably envisaged himself soaring through the air with wings on his arms, and his legs trailing behind him like a bird's. This mental picture quite likely influenced a good deal of his early aeronautical thinking and it is a curious fact that even in comparatively recent years a number of the more bizarre aircraft have incorporated a prone pilot position as if the designers, having abandoned orthodox practice, had also reverted to what perhaps seemed a more natural position.

It is shown that by combining the dependence of boundary layer heating on local flow conditions with the lifting characteristics of hypersonic wings a simple relationship between wing loading and surface temperature can be derived. This replaces the common concept of an altitude/Mach number flight corridor through which hypersonic flight appears possible without exceeding an acceptable surface temperature, and indicates that flight beyond Mach 6 will in fact require considerable material or cooling developments.