The Beginning
While a considerable expansion of the UK aircraft industry had begun in the mid to late 1930s, it was the demands of World War II, in the early 1940s, which led to its huge growth in capability and size. As the tide of war began to turn in favour of the Allies, thought was given to the nation’s post-war prosperity and because of its technically advanced state, the aircraft sector was singled out as a primary industry for exploitation. However, it was realised that large and expensive research facilities would be required for such exploitation to succeed and as this would be in pursuance of national objectives, the provision of such facilities would have to come from central government sources. Accordingly it was decided to create an entirely new organisation to provide this necessary research capability. To be called the “National Experimental Establishment”, it was initially proposed that it should be sited at Farnborough and embrace the already-existing Royal Aircraft Establishment.
Construction of RAE Bedford began in 1947, first with new roads, then the first wind tunnels on the “Twinwoods” site and finally the airfield at Thurleigh. Major building work continued to at least 1957.
The 8ft X 8ft Wind Tunnel
Authority to proceed with the construction of the 8x8 Tunnel was given in 1949 and it achieved its first run in 1955. Capable of operation at subsonic speeds and at supersonic speeds from a Mach number of 1.3 to 2.5, the air was driven by a 12-foot diameter, ten-stage axial compressor powered from an 80,000hp [60 Megawatts] electrical source.
The advanced aerodynamic capability and quality of the tunnel was such that it was extensively used over a period of forty-six years and served many overseas customers, both military and civil, as well as meeting the British need. Finally surplus to requirements in 2002, its 10,000 tons of steel have hopefully been usefully recycled.
https://flic.kr/p/RLsqEg
The 8ft x 8ft Tunnel, May 1955
https://flic.kr/p/SqvJqj
The Main Drive Compressor
https://flic.kr/p/SqvJvQ
The 8ft x 8ft wind tunnel in 1982
I have wanted to have a look inside this place for a long time, with several fails along the way. However the control room still eluded me.
Still, gives me a reason for a revisit at some point in time.
While a considerable expansion of the UK aircraft industry had begun in the mid to late 1930s, it was the demands of World War II, in the early 1940s, which led to its huge growth in capability and size. As the tide of war began to turn in favour of the Allies, thought was given to the nation’s post-war prosperity and because of its technically advanced state, the aircraft sector was singled out as a primary industry for exploitation. However, it was realised that large and expensive research facilities would be required for such exploitation to succeed and as this would be in pursuance of national objectives, the provision of such facilities would have to come from central government sources. Accordingly it was decided to create an entirely new organisation to provide this necessary research capability. To be called the “National Experimental Establishment”, it was initially proposed that it should be sited at Farnborough and embrace the already-existing Royal Aircraft Establishment.
Construction of RAE Bedford began in 1947, first with new roads, then the first wind tunnels on the “Twinwoods” site and finally the airfield at Thurleigh. Major building work continued to at least 1957.
The 8ft X 8ft Wind Tunnel
Authority to proceed with the construction of the 8x8 Tunnel was given in 1949 and it achieved its first run in 1955. Capable of operation at subsonic speeds and at supersonic speeds from a Mach number of 1.3 to 2.5, the air was driven by a 12-foot diameter, ten-stage axial compressor powered from an 80,000hp [60 Megawatts] electrical source.
The advanced aerodynamic capability and quality of the tunnel was such that it was extensively used over a period of forty-six years and served many overseas customers, both military and civil, as well as meeting the British need. Finally surplus to requirements in 2002, its 10,000 tons of steel have hopefully been usefully recycled.
https://flic.kr/p/RLsqEgThe 8ft x 8ft Tunnel, May 1955
https://flic.kr/p/SqvJqjThe Main Drive Compressor
https://flic.kr/p/SqvJvQThe 8ft x 8ft wind tunnel in 1982
I have wanted to have a look inside this place for a long time, with several fails along the way. However the control room still eluded me.
Still, gives me a reason for a revisit at some point in time.
On with the photos
https://flic.kr/p/Rrvapz
https://flic.kr/p/RoXi6y
https://flic.kr/p/Su8Q6i
https://flic.kr/p/SrH4nG
https://flic.kr/p/Su8F8i
https://flic.kr/p/S6Dk8W
https://flic.kr/p/RruS3v
https://flic.kr/p/S6Df2y
https://flic.kr/p/S6Dczj
https://flic.kr/p/RoWTKW
https://flic.kr/p/S6D85h
https://flic.kr/p/S6D3i3
https://flic.kr/p/SrFQBy
https://flic.kr/p/RoWApJ
https://flic.kr/p/SrFEcA
https://flic.kr/p/SFt51H
thanks for looking
