Comment on 'Drag coefficient of spheres in continuum and rarefied flows'
A paper by Henderson (1976) provides a method of predicting experimental sphere drag data. This approach uses two equations for the drag coefficient, one for relative Mach number less than one, one for relative Mach number greater than 1.75. For relative Mach numbers between these limits a linear interpolation procedure is followed. In a comment on this paper, it is claimed, on the basis of comparing predictions with experimental results, that a method proposed by Walsh (1975) gives better predictions of the drag coefficient for relative Mach numbers less than 1.75, provided that a modification of the procedure is made for relative Mach numbers less than 0.1. For values over 1.75, both methods are considered equally accurate. In a reply to this comment, it is agreed that the Walsh method is more accurate when Reynolds numbers are within a range between 20 and 200, and Mach numbers are between 0.5 and 1.25. Presumed errors and possible limitations in the Walsh procedure for predicting drag coefficients are discussed.