Heritage Open Days - Former Royal Aircraft Establishment 24 foot Wind Tunnel - Farnborough

the wind tunnel buildings are now listed and during Heritage Open Days we are able to visit the 24-foot tunnel in Building Q121

Price: £0.00 (Adults £0.00 / Children £0.00 )

The 24-foot wind tunnel is named for the size of its jet orifice, which is 24 feet in diameter. The mahogany fan - such a feature of this tunnel - is in fact 30 feet in diameter. It was powered by a 2000 horse power DC electric motor and could produce an airspeed of up to 112 mph.The tunnel was a world class aerodynamic testing facility, opened in 1935 and in continuous use until 1996. The building is Grade 1 listed with Historic England.

Please note that access is only to the main hall - the return circuit is not included but if visitors wish to take the full tour including the R52 building, this can be booked as a group visit to take place on a Thursday at a cost of £20 per person (subject to a minimum group charge) which includes a souvenir brochure. Full details will be available on the Heritage Open Days.

Sunday 19 September: Tours will take place at 10.00 hrs, 11.00 hrs, 12.00 hrs, 14.00 hrs and 15.00 hrs.

Contact for the day: Bob Gentry 07785 268172

 

 

The FAST Museum presents a selection from the FAST collection in the setting of a historic listed building. The Museum building dates from 1908 and was built as the headquarters of the Royal Balloon School.

Located on a hill overlooking the runway of TAG's Farnborough airfield where aircraft can be seen in the air as well as historic aircraft on display around the Museum building. The full scale replica of the Cody Flyer - British Army Aeroplane No.1A is housed in the Cody Pavilion situated in the Museum grounds.

The Museum is managed by the Trustees of FAST and the day to day running is in the capable hands of the volunteers of the FAST Association. In the Museum you can see photographs and exhibits from the early years of aviation and important pieces of aviation history, like Sir Frank Whittle's earliest jet engines and research models of Concorde. 

You can watch demonstrations of a working wind tunnel and there are experts on hand to answer your questions.

Hot and cold drinks as well as cakes, biscuits and ice creams are available in the Coffee Lounge.