Winglets

[ZZyXX]

Would they have been useful on allied aircraft during WWII. I can
imagine in the pacific it would have given an extra fuel margin for the
long flights or at least made the long flights shorter

[Don Phillipson]

Would they have been useful on allied aircraft during WWII. I can imagine
in the pacific it would have given an extra fuel margin for the long
flights or at least made the long flights shorter

Wikipedia points out the principle was patented in 1897 and implemented
in the Heinkel Volksjaeger (He 162.) The practical question seems
benefit/cost (exemplified in the differences in design and manufacturing
costs of the wings of Hawker and Supermarine fighters.)

[Jim Wilkins]

Post by ZZyXX
Would they have been useful on allied aircraft during WWII. I can
imagine in the pacific it would have given an extra fuel margin for
the long flights or at least made the long flights shorter

Would winglets be useful on today's fighters?

[john Szalay]

Post by Jim Wilkins

Post by ZZyXX
Would they have been useful on allied aircraft during WWII. I can
imagine in the pacific it would have given an extra fuel margin for
the long flights or at least made the long flights shorter

Would winglets be useful on today's fighters?

Opinion:

Unlikely, and would be an issue with blocking some vision.

fighters are short range aircraft, extending range with aerial
refueling. why give up useable visablity options for a only a slight gain
in range.

my 2¢

[ZZyXX]

Post by john Szalay

Post by Jim Wilkins

Post by ZZyXX
Would they have been useful on allied aircraft during WWII. I can
imagine in the pacific it would have given an extra fuel margin for
the long flights or at least made the long flights shorter

Would winglets be useful on today's fighters?

Unlikely, and would be an issue with blocking some vision.
fighters are short range aircraft, extending range with aerial
refueling. why give up useable visablity options for a only a slight gain
in range.
my 2¢

Question: do winglets have to angle upwards? downward would eliminate,
at least somewhat, visibility problems

[Jim Wilkins]

Post by ZZyXX

Post by john Szalay

Post by Jim Wilkins

Post by ZZyXX
Would they have been useful on allied aircraft during WWII. I can
imagine in the pacific it would have given an extra fuel margin for
the long flights or at least made the long flights shorter

Would winglets be useful on today's fighters?

Unlikely, and would be an issue with blocking some vision.
fighters are short range aircraft, extending range with aerial
refueling. why give up useable visablity options for a only a slight gain
in range.
my 2¢

Question: do winglets have to angle upwards? downward would
eliminate, at least somewhat, visibility problems

Wing fences help do the same things. Some Soviet designs had them.

https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/22030/winglets-vs-sharklets-vs-blended-wingtips
"Reduces maneuverability which is why you don't see a winglet on a
fighter jet"

Also WW2 fighter designers weren't too concerned with reducing wingtip
vortex turbulence that disturbs the closely following aircraft.
-jsw