Variable Density Tunnel, NASA history collection
Description (February 3, 1922) The Variable Density Tunnel arrives by rail from the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. The Tunnel was installed at Langley...Center: LARC .Image # : L-1990-04352
11-Inch High-Speed Tunnel - NASA wind tunnel. Public domain image.
Description: Construction of 5 Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel. The 5 Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel was built to study spinning characteristics of aircraft. It was an open throat tunnel capable of a maximum speed of 80 m... More
Full Scale Tunnel (FST) and Seaplane Tow Channel
Description: Aerial and ground views of the overall construction of Full-Scale Tunnel (FST) and the Seaplane Tow Channel. In November 1929, Smith DeFrance submitted his recommendations for the general design of... More
5-foot Vertical Wind Tunnel - NASA wind tunnel. Public domain image.
Description (July 12, 1932) The researcher is sitting above the exit cone of the 5-foot Vertical Wind Tunnel and is examining the new 6-component spinning balance. This balance was developed between 1930 and 19... More
Amelia Earhart Visits NACA (And Gets Her Coat Caught in a Wind Tunnel!...
Description (November 5, 1928) Group photo on steps of Langley Research Building in 1928. front row, left to right: E.A. Meyers, Elton Miller, Amelia Earhart, Henry Reid, and Lt. Col. Jacob W.S. Wuest. Back row... More
5-Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel. Experimental NASA aircraft photograph.
Description (September 18, 1930) Construction of 5-Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel. The 5-Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel was built to study spinning characteristics of aircraft. It was an open throat tunnel capable of a m... More
Variable Density Wind Tunnel, NASA history collection
Description (February 14, 1928) View of the interior of the exit cone of the Variable-Density Tunnel (VDT) during its brief period of operation as an open throat design. After the fire, the VDT section engineer... More
Model of 5-Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel
Description (January 11, 1930) Model of 5-Foot Vertical Wind Tunnel. Carl Wenzinger and Thomas Harris wrote in NACA TR 387: "The vertical open-throat wind tunnel of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronauti... More
Construction of the 30 x 60 Foot Wind Tunnel at Langley
Full Description: This photograph from 1930 shows the 30 x 60 Foot Tunnel during construction. Smith J. de France, a NACA engineer, was in charge of the design team for the new tunnel. Planning involved the con... More
12- Foot Free-Flight Tunnel. NASA public domain image colelction.
Description: .12-Foot Free-Flight Tunnel under construction: The free-flight wind tunnel is a steel sphere 60 feet in diameter and can be supplied with air compressed up to two or more atmospheres in which the ... More
Installation of the Douglas XSB2D-1 in the Test Section of the 40x80 F...
Test section of the Ames 40 x 80 foot wind tunnel with the overhead doors open. XSB2D-1 airplane being lowered onto the struts by the overhead crane. Mechanics and engineers on orchard ladders aligning the mod... More
12 Foot Free-Flight Wind Tunnel
Description: The 12 Foot Free-Flight Wind Tunnel is a steel sphere 60 feet in diameter and can be supplied with air compressed up to two or more atmospheres in which the operators will work. A decompression cha... More
Stability Tunnel, NASA history collection
Description: (March 10, 1943) Engineers operate the controls of the Stability Tunnel. Plans for a new tunnel to study stability problems began in the late thirties. The Stability Tunnel was authorized in 1939 a... More
Altitude Wind Tunnel Drive Motor Installation
Construction workers install the drive motor for the Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT) in the Exhauster Building at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory. The AWT w... More
Mounting Douglas SB-2D Airplane in 40x80 foot Wind Tunnel at NACA Ames...
XSB2D-1 First test (no number) Aerodynamic test to forecast the take off distance. George Cooper was the A1:H73 pilot. Orchard ladders were used to access the ball socket attachments on the struts. Don Richey
XP-51B airplane in 16ft wind tunnel with test engineer ARC-1943-AAL-37...
XP-51B airplane in 16ft wind tunnel with test engineer Public domain photograph of NASA experimental aircraft, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Date: Nov 9, 1940 Aerial view of Ames Aeronautical Laboratory showing ...
Date: Nov 9, 1940 Aerial view of Ames Aeronautical Laboratory showing Flight Research Lab and Construction of 16ft wind tunnel
Westinghouse 19B Turbojet in the Altitude Wind Tunnel
The Westinghouse 19XB turbojet seen from the side in the Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT) test section at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory. Westinghouse start... More
P-51 airplane model in the NACA Ames Research Center Transonic 16ft wi...
P-51 airplane model in the NACA Ames Research Center Transonic 16ft wind tunnel
Altitude Wind Tunnel Drive Fan being Assembled
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) engineers assembled the Altitude Wind Tunnel’s (AWT) large wooden drive fan inside the hangar at the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory. When it was built at ... More
Drive Fan for the Icing Research Tunnel
View of the drive fan for the Icing Research Tunnel at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory in Cleveland, Ohio. The tunnel was built in the early 1940s to s... More
NACA Ames Research Center 7x10_foot Wind Tunnel test of the Douglas XS...
NACA Ames Research Center 7x10_foot Wind Tunnel test of the Douglas XSB2D-1 model
North American P-51B 'Mustang' fighter in flight over bay area. The P-...
North American P-51B 'Mustang' fighter in flight over bay area. The P-51 with its new laminar-flow wing sections developed by NACA was the first airplane selected for testing of airplane drag in flight and wind... More
BT2D-1 Airplane lowering into the 40x80 foot Wind Tunnel at Ames.
Test #9. Public domain photograph of NASA experimental aircraft, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
B-29 Superfortress Engine in the Altitude Wind Tunnel
The resolution of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress’ engine cooling problems was one of the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory’s (AERL) key contributions to the World War II effort. The B-29 leapfrogged previous b... More
NACA Photographer - North American XP-51B Airplane with outer wing pan...
NACA Photographer - North American XP-51B Airplane with outer wing panels removed and ready for testing in Ames 16 foot wind tunnel.
Construction of Ames 40x80ft Subsonic Full Sscale Wind Tunnel; Approa...
Construction of Ames 40x80ft Subsonic Full Sscale Wind Tunnel; Approach to entrance cone looking north. Navy Blimp seen through opening.
Bell P-39 in the Icing Research Tunnel
A Bell P-39 Airacobra in the NACA Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory’s Icing Research Tunnel for a propeller deicing study. The tunnel, which began operation in June 1944, was built to study the formation of i... More
First Test Program in the NACA’s Altitude Wind Tunnel
The Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT) was the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory’s largest and most important test facility in the 1940s. The AWT employed massive co... More
Bell XP–59A Airacomet in the Altitude Wind Tunnel
The secret test of the Bell YP–59A Airacomet in the spring of 1944 was the first investigation in the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory’s new Altitude Wind T... More
Mounting Douglas XSB2D-1 Airplane In 40x80 Foot Wind Tunnel.
First airplane tested in the ames 40 x 80 foot wind tunnel. Douglas XSB2D-1 (Destroyer) hanging from overhead crane above the test section. Don RIchey
NACA Photographer 7x10ft Wind Tunnel and Lab #2 construction at the Am...
NACA Photographer 7x10ft Wind Tunnel and Lab #2 construction at the Ames Research Center, California
NACA Photographer Construction of the 7x10ft Wind Tunnel and Lab #2 at...
NACA Photographer Construction of the 7x10ft Wind Tunnel and Lab #2 at the Ames Research Center, California
Construction of the 40x80 Foot Wind Tunnel at Ames.
Looking South from inside the diffuser of the 40x80 foot wind tunnel at NACA's Ames Research Center. Construction began in late 1941, the mammoth construction task sorely taxing the resources of the new center... More
NACA Photographer N-216; 7x10ft#2 Wind Tunnel being constructed at the...
NACA Photographer N-216; 7x10ft#2 Wind Tunnel being constructed at the Ames Research Center, California
NACA Photographer - 16ft High Speed Wind Tunnel downstream view throug...
NACA Photographer - 16ft High Speed Wind Tunnel downstream view through cooling tower section
16-Foot High Speed Tunnel. NASA public domain image colelction.
(A-12679) The 16-Foot High-Speed Tunnel in 1942, shortly after it entered service as the third wind tunnel at the young laboratory. The two 7- by 10-foot tunnels and a hangar are on the right.
NACA photographer General view test chamber in the 7x10ft wind tunnel ...
NACA photographer General view test chamber in the 7x10ft wind tunnel at NASA Ames Research center with test engineers
North American P-51B tuft studies done in the NACA Ames Research cente...
North American P-51B tuft studies done in the NACA Ames Research center 16ft Transonic Wind Tunnel Radiator air scoop with oil and prestone cooler exit flaps in flush position.
40x80ft wind tunnel testing of a modification to a Douglas A-26B Invad...
40x80ft wind tunnel testing of a modification to a Douglas A-26B Invader airplane (rockets, bomb and wing)
Full Scale Tunnel Motors Under Construction.
(07/07/1943) Construction view from inside the contraction framing of the 40x80 foot wind tunnel with a blimp flying in the background. Don Richey
A portion of the North American P-51B airplane was tested in the 16-fo...
A portion of the North American P-51B airplane was tested in the 16-foot wind tunnel to devise a means of eliminating a rumble which occurred in the radiator duct system. The actual fuselage and center portion ... More
Aerial View Of The Site From The 40x80 Foot Wind Tunnel At Nasa Ames R...
(03/12/1943) Aerial view of the site from the 40x80 wind tunnel At NASA Ames Research Center. Site includes the 16 foot and 7x10 wind tunnels in the background. Building 200 also under construction. Framing f... More
40x80ft wind tunnel testing of a modification to a A-26B airplane (roc...
40x80ft wind tunnel testing of a modification to a A-26B airplane (rockets, bomb and wing)
Construction of the Ames Full-Scale 40x80ft Wind tunnel. - side view o...
Construction of the Ames Full-Scale 40x80ft Wind tunnel. - side view of entrance cone, blimp in background
Turning Vanes inside the Altitude Wind Tunnel
Men stand in front of turning vanes inside the Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT) at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory. The AWT was the only wind tunnel capable ... More
Wind Tunnel View, NASA history collection
Full Description: View taken facing southeast, showing scaffolding for refrigerant line construction to west end of tunnel, and application of insulation material on throat section - May 5, 1944...UID: SPD-GRIN... More
Early Testing in the Icing Research Tunnel
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) design engineers added the Icing Research Tunnel to the new Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory’s original layout to take advantage of the massive refrigeratio... More
General view of Ames Aeronautical Laboratory taken from Naval airship ...
General view of Ames Aeronautical Laboratory taken from Naval airship hangar. Shows construction of the 12ft Pressure Wind Tunnel with large cranes.
NASA Ames Research Center's 1x3 1/2ft wind tunnel (to illustrate 1946 ...
NASA Ames Research Center's 1x3 1/2ft wind tunnel (to illustrate 1946 budget)
N-221 Ames 40x80ft Subsonic wind tunnel construction; Constant speed -...
N-221 Ames 40x80ft Subsonic wind tunnel construction; Constant speed - motor generator set.
NACA photographer Northrop P-61A Black Widow towing P-51B to release a...
NACA photographer Northrop P-61A Black Widow towing P-51B to release altitude of 28,000 ft over Muroc Dry Lake, California for in flight validating of wind tunnel measurements of drag. After the pilot released ... More
General view of Ames Subsonic 40x80ft wind tunnel from atop of the Mof...
General view of Ames Subsonic 40x80ft wind tunnel from atop of the Moffett Naval Airship Hangar One (with construction of the Ames 12ft Pressure Wind Tunnel in forground) July 17, 1944
NASA Ames Research Center's 1x3 1/2 ft wind tunnel (to illustrate 1946...
NASA Ames Research Center's 1x3 1/2 ft wind tunnel (to illustrate 1946 budget)
Altitude Wind Tunnel Control Room
Researchers at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory monitor a ramjet's performance in the Altitude Wind Tunnel from the control room. The soundproof control... More
Wind Tunnel Complex at the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory
This aerial photograph shows the entire original wind tunnel complex at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory. The large Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT) at the ce... More
Test Section of High Speed Tunnel
Test section of a wind tunnel at Langley as seen through a window from the outside.
Ramjet Testing in the NACA's Altitude Wind Tunnel
A 20-inch diameter ramjet installed in the Altitude Wind Tunnel at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory. The Altitude Wind Tunnel was used in the 1940s to st... More
Nacelles and props in 40x80 foot wind tunnel at Ames.
Publicity Shot of close up of Nacell, Drive Nacel and cooling vent in nose for wind tunnel in NACA Ames 40x80 foot Wind Tunnel. Don Richey
Swept wing with inboard split flaps in Ames 40x80 foot Wind Tunnel.
Front View of -45 deg. Forward swept wing with inboard split flaps deflected 60 deg. In NACA Ames 40x80 foot Wind Tunnel. Don Richey
General Electric TG-100A Turboprop in the Altitude Wind Tunnel
A General Electric TG-100A seen from the rear in the test section of the Altitude Wind Tunnel at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory in Cleveland, Ohio. The... More
Behold, the World's Largest Wind Tunnel!
Description (1947) Looking down the throat of the world's largest tunnel. The scene is NACA's 40 x 80 foot wind tunnel at Ames Aeronautical Laboratory, Moffett Field, California, which when it was built was the... More
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.Modified Bell X-1 mode... More
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Bell X-1 Research Model on Single Support Strut in 7 x 10 Foot Wind Tu...
Modified Bell X-1 model pioneered variable-sweep studies in 1947. Photograph published in Sixty Years of Aeronautical Research 1917-1977 By David A. Anderton. A NASA publication, page 52.
Cut away view of YP-80 model as tested in Ames 1x3 1/2ft. Supersonic W...
Cut away view of YP-80 model as tested in Ames 1x3 1/2ft. Supersonic Wind Tunnel. Artist Harry DeVoto, Ames Graphics.
General Electric TG-180 Turbojet in the Altitude Wind Tunnel
A General Electric TG-180 turbojet installed in the Altitude Wind Tunnel at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory. In 1943 the military asked General Electric... More
McDonald XP-85 Airplane in 40x80 foot Wind Tunnel.
Front View of McDonald XP-85 Plan Model. Parasite Airplane designed to be carried in the B-36 bombay (never built) At the time it was the smallest Jet powered airplane. The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin was an Americ... More
NACA Photographer NASA Ames 1X3Ft W.T Blowdown, flexible throat: A sw...
NACA Photographer NASA Ames 1X3Ft W.T Blowdown, flexible throat: A swept wing model readied for a test in June 1948, in the 1 by 3 foot blowdown tunnel with a variable geometry throat mechanism
Construction of the 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel
The 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory was the nation’s largest supersonic facility when it began operation in April... More
F-84F jet airplane in the Ames 40X80 foot wind tunnel.
3/4 front view from below. Don Richey Public domain photograph of NASA experimental aircraft, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Ames Aerial - 40x80ft wind tunnel ARC-1948-A-13516
Ames Aerial - 40x80ft wind tunnel Public domain photograph related to NASA research activity, space exploration, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
16 Foot High Speed Tunnel - NASA wind tunnel. Public domain image.
Description (March 15, 1949) Photograph of the 16 Foot High Speed Tunnel at Langley with Building 1146 in foreground...Image # : L-64729
Compressor Stage in the 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel
A technician at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory examines one of the massive axial-flow compressor stages that created the high-speed air flow through th... More
8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel's Original Design
Aerial view of the 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel in its original configuration at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory. The 8- by 6 was the laboratory’... More
NACA Ames Research Center's 6x6ft Supersonic Wind Tunnel compressor, s...
NACA Ames Research Center's 6x6ft Supersonic Wind Tunnel compressor, showing rotor blades
Python Turboprop Prepared for a Test in the Altitude Wind Tunnel
A 3670-horsepower Armstrong-Siddeley Python turboprop being prepared for tests in the Altitude Wind Tunnel at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory. In 1947 L... More
Spray System Trials in the Icing Research Tunnel
The spray bar system introduces water droplets into the Icing Research Tunnel’s air stream at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory. The icing tunnel was desi... More
NACA Engineers Calibrate the 2- by 2-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel
Engineers calibrate one of three small supersonic wind tunnels that were collectively referred to as the “Stack Tunnels” at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laborat... More
11-Inch Hypersonic Tunnel, NASA history collection
(L-63886): Pictured with the 11-Inch Hypersonic Tunnel is a key person who championed its design and construction, John V. Becker. He helped lead some of America’s most important early research into ultra-high-... More
Delta Wing Test Model in Ames 40x80 Foot Wind Tunnel.
3/4 front view from below of Delta wing Model with Nose Inlet in Ames 40x80 foot wind tunnel.
Ames hi-speed research schematic drawing of the Supersonic Free Flight...
Ames hi-speed research schematic drawing of the Supersonic Free Flight Tunnel (SSFFT)
NACA Technician Cleans a Ramjet in 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel
A technician at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory cleans the pitot tube on a 16-inch diameter ramjet in the 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel. Pitot tub... More
A-15209. High Lift and Stall Control in Ames 40x80 Foot Wind Tunnel.
Investigation of High Lift and Stall Control on 45 deg. 3/4 front view Sweptback Cambered and Twisted Wing, in Ames 40x80 foot Wind Tunnel.
A-15219. Balance House for the 40x80-foot Wind Tunnel Control Room.
40x80 wind tunnel manometers control room at NACA's Ames Research Center. Control panel (called the bench board) showing five of the seven scale heads which measured the forces on the model (ie. Lift, drag, si... More
Measurement of Vibrations from the 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel
Reverend Henry Birkenhauer and E.F. Carome measure ground vibrations on West 220th Street caused by the operation of the 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (N... More
Noise Suppression Addition to the 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel
The 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory was the largest supersonic wind tunnel in the nation at the time and the only... More
Supersonic Free flight Wind tunnel model construction and firing techn...
Supersonic Free flight Wind tunnel model construction and firing techniques; separation of model and finger type sabot
11-Inch Hypersonic Tunnel. NASA public domain image colelction.
(L-70438): Pictured with the 11-Inch Hypersonic Tunnel is a key person who championed its design and construction, Charles H. McLellan. He helped lead some of America’s most important early research into ultra-... More