Why do almost all aircraft have a gap between the intake and the fuselage it is something to do with boundary layer but how does this work wouldnt it just create the same boundary layer in the intake or are the boundary layers different in the intake to the fuselage im confused? the p51 and most modern jets are good examples.
In: Physics
The fuselage has a layer of air flowing over it, that boundary layer. If you stick an intake right at the fuselage you will get that boundary layer air entering the intake along with the ambient air which will be going a different speed. This can cause issues, especially because it’s not constant. It will change based on angle of attack, and your engine inlet airflow will change, which is not good. It’s better to give the engine its own independent, and therefore more predictable, airflow.
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