On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 03:16:14 UTC, "COLIN LAMB"
wrote:

: If a wing is replaced by a rotating cylinder, with the forward surface
: rotating upward, lift will be produced. The local air velocity is high on
: top and low on the bottom. This upward force is known as magnus effect.

It's a simple illustration of the idea that vorticity/rotation
produces lift. Instead of inducing the rotation by the shape of the
section, you spin the cylinder and drag the air round with it.

: The information above comes from my helicopter handbook. The theory is used
: to explain some helicopter principles, but caused me to wonder more about
: it. Has anyone every produced an airplane using the magnus effect?

There's a shop in Covent Garden which sells magnus effect rotor-kites.
And you might like to look up the Flettner Rotor Ship, "Baden Baden"
(http://college.hmco.com/history/read...sh_009400_bade
nbaden.htm for example).

Ian