George B. McCullough Papers, 1943-1965

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Summary

Creators:
McCullough, George B.
Abstract:
The George B. McCullough Papers contain personal research materials and publications including data charts, equations, article drafts, NACA Technical Notes, and NASA Technical Notes. The collection as a whole documents McCullough's investigations into airfoils, helicopter rotors, and launch vehicles.
Extent:
Number of containers: 2 Volume: .70 cubic feet
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The George B. McCullough collection contains documentation of McCullough's investigations into airfoils, helicopter rotors, and launch vehicles. Included are test data and engineering reference materials, and the associated NACA and NASA technical publications.

Series one consists of McCullough's research into boundary-layer profiles, static orifices, stall mechanics, and airfoil section stalling. Included are wind tunnel test booklets, data charts and graphs, handwritten mathematical equations, technical publication drafts, and other material related to his research.

Series two consists of McCullough's research results in the form of thirteen NACA and NASA Technical Notes. The publications include experiment summaries, test descriptions, results, and data charts. Each publication presents detailed technical studies conducted in several wind tunnels

Biographical / historical:

George B. McCullough came to work at NACA Ames as an aeronautical engineer in the early 1940s, soon after earning a degree from Stanford University. During the course of McCullough's employment, the NACA's theoretical research on wing design was extensive, driving the need for experimental work. McCullough started out conducting investigations on airfoil wing design and theory. Contributing to a number of NACA and NASA Technical Notes, McCullough's work on boundary layer profiles, stalling mechanics, leading edges and interpretation of test data helped advance aircraft wing design.

McCullough's research fell into three main research areas: NACA airfoils, helicopter rotors, and the effects of ground wind loads on launch vehicles. His investigations were mainly conducted in the 7-by-10-foot wind tunnel, 40-by-80-foot wind tunnel, and 12-foot pressure wind tunnel. McCullough authored and co-authored fifteen NACA and NASA technical publications related to this research.

The first research area focused primarily on airfoil sections. McCullough worked on the first set NACA airfoil designs. His investigations into wing sections were conducted in the 7- by-10-foot wind tunnels. Donald E. Gault and McCullough were the first to study new types of stalling mechanics for airfoil sections required for high-speed flight. The studies led to some of the first published technical notes on airfoils with boundary layer control and stall mechanics, which are still referenced by aeronautical engineers today. The breadth of this research can be found in his NACA Technical Notes from 1948 to 1955.

While studying airfoil sections, McCullough also began investigating helicopter rotors and their wing designs in the late 1950s. John McCloud and McCullough performed some of the first helicopter tests in the 40-by-80-foot wind tunnel. Together they calculated and measured stall boundaries based on rotor torque indications. As outlined in their NACA Technical Notes, McCullough investigated the performance advances of delaying receding blade stall by the use of blade sections with increased maximum lift. McCullough published two technical notes related to helicopter rotors.

McCullough's third area of research involved models of various launch vehicles (rockets) for NASA, not long after the organization's transition from NACA. McCullough studied wind loads on rocket models in the 12-foot pressure wind tunnel for the purpose of preventing the rockets from blowing over on the launchpad. Studying wind loads involved calculating the desirable Reynolds Number, developing a model with conduits, and determining the velocity of the base bend. McCullough produced three NASA Technical Notes as a result of this research.

Although this was not a main focus of his research, McCullough supported one additional set of wing designs before his retirement in the late 1960s. A 7-by-10-foot wind tunnel group consisting of Robert Dannenberg, Wallace Davis, and McCullough mocked up wing designs of mounted jet-engine nacelles, intended for large multi-jet engine airplanes. The designs evolved into single- and twin-engine nacelles mounted on the lower surface of the wing. The group provided the base design of the nacelles of the first jet bombers built in this country. Unlike the other three research areas, McCullough did not author any publications related to this work.

Custodial history:

Formerly in the possession of History San Jose, all George B. McCullough materials related to NACA and NASA were transferred to the NASA Ames History Office. Records not related to aeronautics remain with History San Jose.

Acquisition Information

Donated by History San Jose on March 28, 2016 (Accession 2016-004).

Arrangement:

The George B. McCullough collection was received with no apparent order. The records are arranged in two series, each one organized chronologically.

The papers are arranged into two series:

  • I. Research Materials, 1943-1960
  • II. Publications, 1948-1965
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Access and use

Location of this collection:
NASA Ames Research Center Archives
Mail Stop 207-1 (Bldg. N207, Rm. 112C)
Moffett Field, CA 94035-0001, US
Contact:
(650) 604-1032
ARC-DL-archives@mail.nasa.gov
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