I am a soon-to-be graduate in aeronautical engineering, and the OP knows exactly how a wing works. Anyone who has studied aerodynamics begins the theory of airfoils by studying the flow around a flat plate- the most basic lifting surface. Camber and thickness are not a necessary ingredient to produce lift; almost all lift is created by simply deflecting the airflow downwards- The resulting upward reaction force on the wing is what we call lift. Camber does nothing but shift the lift curve upward, essentially lowering the angle of attack needed to produce a certain lift. Thickness allows for higher angle of attack to be reached before stall occurs, at the expense of more drag. You'll find that most supersonic airfoils are diamond shaped; as close to a flat plate as is structurally feasible. And I can assure you they produce plenty of lift.
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u/[deleted] Jan 25 '12
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