Full Scale 30- by 60-Foot Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Full-Scale Tunnel was a wind tunnel
at NASA
's Langley Research Center
. It is a National Historic Landmark
.
In 1929, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
began construction of the nation's and the world's first full-scale wind tunnel. The design team was led by Smith J. De France. The tunnel was completed in 1931 at a cost of $36,900,000. It was a double-return tunnel capable of moving air at speeds up to 118 miles per hour (190 km/h) through its circuit. It had a 30 ft by 60 ft (9.1 m x 18.3 m) open throat, which is capable of testing aircraft with spans of 40 ft (12.2 m).The wind tunnel is a double-return, atmospheric pressure tunnel with two fans powered by 4,000 hp electric motors.
The tunnel was used to test virtually every high-performance aircraft used by the United States
in World War II
. For much of the war, when it was operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the full-scale tunnel was the only tunnel in the free world large enough to perform these tests.
After the war, many types of aircraft were tested in the tunnel including the Harrier Jump Jet
fighter, the F-16, the American supersonic transport
, the Space Shuttle
and Lunar Landing Test Vehicle
. The wind tunnel was in use through the 2000s, modified to allow new testing procedures, such as free-flight and high angle of attack.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1985. However, despite this designation and the efforts of some aviation historians, demolition of the tunnel began in 2010.
It was documented before its demolition, with the fan blades being salvaged for display. What impact this will have on its NHL designation remains to be seen.
Wind tunnel
A wind tunnel is a research tool used in aerodynamic research to study the effects of air moving past solid objects.-Theory of operation:Wind tunnels were first proposed as a means of studying vehicles in free flight...
at NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's Langley Research Center
Langley Research Center
Langley Research Center is the oldest of NASA's field centers, located in Hampton, Virginia, United States. It directly borders Poquoson, Virginia and Langley Air Force Base...
. It is a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
In 1929, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics was a U.S. federal agency founded on March 3, 1915 to undertake, promote, and institutionalize aeronautical research. On October 1, 1958 the agency was dissolved, and its assets and personnel transferred to the newly created National Aeronautics and...
began construction of the nation's and the world's first full-scale wind tunnel. The design team was led by Smith J. De France. The tunnel was completed in 1931 at a cost of $36,900,000. It was a double-return tunnel capable of moving air at speeds up to 118 miles per hour (190 km/h) through its circuit. It had a 30 ft by 60 ft (9.1 m x 18.3 m) open throat, which is capable of testing aircraft with spans of 40 ft (12.2 m).The wind tunnel is a double-return, atmospheric pressure tunnel with two fans powered by 4,000 hp electric motors.
The tunnel was used to test virtually every high-performance aircraft used by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. For much of the war, when it was operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the full-scale tunnel was the only tunnel in the free world large enough to perform these tests.
After the war, many types of aircraft were tested in the tunnel including the Harrier Jump Jet
Harrier Jump Jet
The Harrier, informally referred to as the Jump Jet, is a family of British-designed military jet aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing operations...
fighter, the F-16, the American supersonic transport
Boeing 2707
The Boeing 2707 was developed as the first American supersonic transport . After winning a competition for a government-funded contract to build an American SST, Boeing began development at its facilities in Seattle, Washington...
, the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
and Lunar Landing Test Vehicle
Moon landing
A moon landing is the arrival of a spacecraft on the surface of the Moon. This includes both manned and unmanned missions. The first human-made object to reach the surface of the Moon was the Soviet Union's Luna 2 mission on 13 September 1959. The United States's Apollo 11 was the first manned...
. The wind tunnel was in use through the 2000s, modified to allow new testing procedures, such as free-flight and high angle of attack.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1985. However, despite this designation and the efforts of some aviation historians, demolition of the tunnel began in 2010.
It was documented before its demolition, with the fan blades being salvaged for display. What impact this will have on its NHL designation remains to be seen.
External links
- Langley Full-Scale Tunnel: The Largest University-Operated Wind Tunnel In The World, at Old Dominion UniversityOld Dominion UniversityOld Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
- Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
- NASA Langley Cultural Resources: Full Scale Tunnel