Michael Garland: Richard T. Whitcomb

Artist: Michael Garland
1952 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1998
Image Size: 14 by 12 inches
Overall Size: 17 by 15 inches
Medium: Oil on Cold Press Illustration Board

After graduating from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1943, Richard Whitcomb embarked on a 37-year career with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. During this time he developed three important aerodynamic design concepts -- the area rule, the supercritical wing and winglets. Area rule provides an airplane with a distinctive "Coke-bottle" shaped fuselage. By having the fuselage curve in at the base of the wings, the aerodynamics and airflow are dramatically improved -- resulting in reduced drag at transonic and supersonic speeds. In 1954, Whitcomb was awarded the Collier Trophy for this design breakthrough. In 1965, he developed the supercritical wing. By producing airfoils with less drag, this wing design permits increased speed and maneuverability at high subsonic speeds. In the 1970s, Whitcomb introduced winglets -- small, near-vertical wing-like surfaces on the tips of an airplane's wings. The design innovation resulted in significant fuel economy by effectively increasing aspect ratio without increasing wing span.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Richard T. Whitcomb Commemorative Cover postmarked March 14, 1998.

Artwork Copyright © 1998 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB16247

US$ Price: $950.00

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