FAI Aeromodelling Commission (CIAM)

04 Dec 2020

CIAM Flyer (6-2020): György Benedek, the pioneer of airfoils for low Reynolds numbers

Once model aircraft design had progressed beyond single-surface wings covered with oiled silk in the mid-1920s, almost all model wings used airfoils developed for manned aircraft, which operated at much higher Reynolds numbers than any model. Sections like RAF 32, NACA 6409 and Clark Y were typical, often 12 or 14% thick.

The person who did the most then to produce airfoils suited to flight at low Reynolds numbers was the Hungarian György Benedek.