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Aviation History
1946
1946 - 1623.PDF
AUGUST 22ND, 1946 FLIGHT 189 Research First Details of the New National Aeronautical Establishment: Stress on Supersonic Tunnels R --3? EASONS for the urgent need of up-to-date equipmentwere given the other day by Sir Ben Lockspeiser, Director-General of Scientific Research (Air) for theMinistry of Supply, when he disclosed details of the large research establishment which is to be built at Thurleigh, nearBedford, and which, as previously announced, will cost approxi- mately £io million. Low-speed, low-power wind tunnels had served us wellenough until the advent of jet propulsion and very high speeds. Now something much more elaborate was required, and sincepower-required increases as speed, it was obvious that research equipment must be on a large scale, and therefore expensive.In the past, it had been possible to use fairly small models and test them at comparatively low speeds. Nowadays wehad to have tunnels in which full-scale speeds could be attained, and moreover it was neces-sary to go to speeds even • greater than flying speeds , in order to discover whathappened at those speeds. Mr. W. G. A. Perring,chief of the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farn-Dorough, explained the different types of windtunnel required for differ- ent forms of research.Tunnels in which data could be compiled for thedesign of long-range low- drag aircraft at ordinaryspeeds; tunnels in which compressibility effectscould be studied; tunnels for sonic and supersonicresearch; and tunnels for testing the spinning char-acteristics of the new types of aircraft that would becoming along. The ultimate proof, how-ever, has to be provided Dy actual full-scale flight,and Sir Ben explained that the intention was ulti-mately to have a runway five miles long, so that apilot, when making first flights on a new type,could touch-down again on the runway if the aircraftshowed any unpleasant characteristics. This runway would be established betweenthe existing airfield at Thurleigh and that at Little Staughton to the east. Another airfield at Twinwood, south of Thurleigh,would be used mostly for landings, and there would be a taxi track between these two. Wind tunnels and similar equipment will be located next tothe Twinwood airfield, and the rest of the testing equipment will adjoin the Thurleigh ground. The country in this neigh-bourhood is considered particularly suitable, having no high hills, and being close enough to Bedford to provide labour andamenities. The proposed layout of the- new National AeronauticalEstablishment is shown in a perspective diagram. The equip- ment which it is planned ultimately to have installed includesthe following; A supersonic wind tunnel, working section 3ft square, usingcertain powerful German machinery, capable of tests at the equivalent of 1,500 m.p.h. at sea level. A tunnel for investigating the tendency of aircraft to spinby the use of free models in a vertical air stream. Air com- pressible to four atmospheres, stream diameter 15ft. Power1,500 h.p. Grouped with this tunnel will be a high-speed flow laboratory with a number of small supersonic tunnels forinvestigating tunnel design, and for special researches. Several wind tunnels to run at moderate speeds and underatmospheric pressure, which will be used iu general investiga- tions of aerodynamic problems on aircraft of all types. Thefirst pair of tunnels designed to have a working section 13ft X 9ft with driving motors of 1,500 h.p. each. Four similartunnels are also planned with working sections i6flxi2ft and having driving motors of 2,500 h.p. Supersonic wind tunnel, 8ft x8ft working section, total powerabout 45,000 h.p. Wind speed equivalent to 1,500 m.p.h. at sea level. Will probably have provision for removing exhaustgases so that running power plants may be tested either alone or installed in aircraft models. One large supersonic wind tunnel (or pessibly two); totalpower about 120,000 h.p.; speed equivalent to 1,500 m.p.h. at sea level. LAyOUT OF THE N.A.E.—I, Central administration and departmental headquarters offices ; 2, compressed air tunnel and dtmospheric tunnel (16ft x 12ft) ; 3, atmospheric and high-speed tunnels (16ft x 12ft) ; 4, atmospheric and high-speed tunnels (16ft x 12 ft) ; 5, spinning tunnel; 6, high-speed air-flow laboratory ; 7, high-speed tunnel (8ft x 8ft) ; 8, large high-speed altitude tunnel ; 9, exhaust- ing and compressing plant; 10, refrigeration and cold-chamber; 11, supersonic tunnel (3ft x 3ft); 12, general purpose laboratory ; 13 two 13ft x 9ft atmospheric tunnels ; 14, compressed air and atmospheric tunnels (16ft x 12ft) ; 15, naval aircraft lab. and offices 16, naval aircraft wind tunnel ; 17 and 18, structures laboratories ; 19, 20, 21, metallurgy main building, laboratory forge and foundry 22, chemistry laboratories and offices ; 23 and 24, central'electric sub-station, heating plant and power station ; 25, medical and welfare 26, workshop organisation offices ; 27, ma'n workshops and stores ; 28, departmental flight H.Q. and laboratories ; 29, flight hangers 30, paved flight apron ; 31 and 32 taxi-track to Thurleigh and Twinwood airfields ; 33 main road from Bedford. n addition to a main airfield, there will be a special longr.unway, initially 3 miles in length with possible extension at a later date to 5 miles, having an overall width of 600 yardsand with a paved strip of adequate width down the centre. A tunnel to investigate the dangerous vibration of aircraftwings and control surfaces, known as "flutter." Compressed-air tunnels with 16ft x 12ft working sections,enabling full-scale flight conditions to be more accurately simulated on model tests, without entailing the use of verylarge-power driving motors. A tunnel specially designed with very low turbulence airflow,for tests on wing sections. Structures laboratory, incorporating a very large test frame ;1,000-ton and 300-ton testing machines; drop-test and other apparatus. Second structures laboratory, mainly for fundamental research. A spinning tower capable of testing airscrews of a size appro-priate to 6,000 h.p. engines. Metallurgical and chemical laboratories.It is estimated that ultimately a staff of about 5,000 wiJi be required, of whom some 1,400 will be highly qualified scientistsand technicians. Close attention is being given to the ameni- ties—there will be playing fields, hostels and cultural facilities.
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