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Body (Fuselage)68 per centChassis, wheels, struts, etc.15 per centTail, rudder, fin, elevator5 per centWing structure, struts, wire, fittings.12 per cent

The aerodynamic drag due to the lift of the wings is not included in the above, the useless or parasitic resistance alone being considered. It will be noted that the body causes by far the greater part of the resistance, and as a result, the body of the speed scout requires the most careful attention in regard to streamline form. Fortunately this is possible with the short stumpy body of the chaser, since a true streamline form approximates the average body dimensions of the scout. In the larger machines, the body resistance is not as great in proportion to the other items since there are more struts and stay wires, the chassis is larger, and the tail surfaces are of greater area. The chassis is the next largest item and is one of the most difficult items to reduce. It has been suggested by several people that the chassis could be stored away in the body while in flight, but this adds additional mechanism and weight, and any automatic mechanism for folding up the chassis members would likely prove unreliable.