Scanned it quickly. Basically, they played with OR and generated some graphs of the results, which one can figure out very quickly just by playing with OR. Thicker fins hurt apogee, thinner fins help. Fin sweep angle helps apogee. Increasing fin span hurts apogee but increases stability.
I don't think they even mentioned other considerations that are really important, such as mechanical strength and needing to prevent flutter.
If you check the report's "References" you will see one of the authors has an earlier report on fin flutter.
This might come in handy for scratch builders:
Effects of Different Fin Shapes on Apogee and Stability of Model Rockets.
Buckeye --
Yes, the Response Surface Model graphs are an effective method to visualize the interdependence of three variables.
But I am with you ... I skimmed but did not study the Paper but I did not see the punch-line.
And I would like to know: CD -vs- Mach Number and Fin Thickness aside, what fin shape and geometry stably lofted the 8-Kg Payload to the highest altitude ?
-- kjh
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