A method employed heretofore by the authors to obtain approximate solutions of the transonic flow equation for plane and axisymmetric flow is extended to give reasonable results for wings of finite span, consistent with the known properties of transonic flows. In this method the partial differential equation appropriate to the study of transonic flow is replaced by a nonlinear ordinary differential equation which can be solved by numerical methods. Asymptotic forms of this differential equation are given for very high and very low aspect ratios and analytic results are obtained for certain special cases. Numerical results, calculated by use of electronic computing machines, are given in the form of pressure distribution and pressure drag for two profile shapes, wedge and circular arc, for wings of rectangular plan form. The range of aspect ratios covered extends effectively from zero to infinity and agreement with the asymptotic results is shown at both limits.

The first Symposium Transsonicum took pl.ace in Aachen thirteen years ago during a period of decreasing governmental. and industrial. support for transonic flow research. Since then, there has been a strong revival. in interest in transonic flow research so that the number of partici pants at the second symposium remained about the same as at the first even in spite of tight financial. means and Limited governmental. support. During both meetings the number of participants reached the upper Limit of the number desirabl.e for such a symposium. Participants came from aU over the worl.d and there was a weU bal.anced distribution of participants from aU countries interested in transonic flow research. The discussions - mostLy conducted in EngLish - were stimul.ating and there was a great deal. of interest in the l.ectures as was shown by the good attendance even during the l.ast session on Saturday morning.