Tear Drop Concept

In previous postings I have used tear drop freely and perhaps carelessly considering that there is a good deal of contention or confusion about tear drops and rain drops as contenders for the ideal streamlined shape consider the following link.The deformation of the rain drop in its gravity driven excursion rather puts it out of the running – it would seem reasonable that it is indeed ideal for the rain drop, one fluid volume finding its way through another. Tear drop seems to be the accepted shape of a tear or drop just before its downward departure (from the face) – essentially elongate, round nosed but quickly tapering to its tail.

Patently a whole family of different tear drop shapes can be, probably has been, generated using a range of liquids with different viscosities, surface tensions and densities. From such pictorial data an integrating algorithm might give some idea what tear drop shape is best with increasing 'rigidity' in the media'. ( we don't want our form to collapse).

What I have done is just a copy of what I see as the general foot- print and lateral lines of fish, birds, and water travelling mammals. From a biological view to a down to earth practical demonstration of it we can look at the following.
Albacore was the first sub in the world to be built with the now familiar "tear drop" -shaped hull. Previous sub types had flat decks and pointed prows to maximize speed and maneuverability on the surface. In contrast, the Albacore was a cylinder with a rounded nose and a tapering tail that allowed it to move more easily while submerged. The new hull shape increased the speed of the ship under the surface dramatically. It was so quick and so maneuverable that when submerged that sailors dubbed its movements "hydrobatics."