I think the usage of the S3 is based on purely pragmatic reasons - Seversky used this airfoil for ages, had lots of experience with it, tools to built it and more of that. Other manufacturers didn't. Same way others used the (similar) 23000 series, had experience with it, tools to manufacture. It wasn't worth the change for Seversky.
Laminar flow wings weren't really a WW2 thing, they were more of a post WW2 thing. How many successful designs with S3 airfoil did Republic do after 45? While I don't know, I don't think it were many, were it?
|