Thursday, May 8, 2008

Making it slippery.




In Maryland there is an old WWII era wind tunnel that we occasionally use if needed. Recently such an occasion occurred and I was sent over there with a clay model. I've always liked this tunnel a little more than the new modern jobs found elsewhere around the states because this one has some history. The place is littered with old scale models of prop driven fighters and bombers. Things companies tried out but ultimately never made it into production. There is also a library with WWI era texts on aerodynamics, engineering, metal working and others cool stuff normal folk would throw into the trash. But the coolest part of all is the tunnel itself. It's considered small by today's standards but it's got loads of character. The screw pushing the air through the tunnel is an ex-B-29 prop. They cut the last 10" of the blades off square. This allows it to fit snug to the floor. It's powered by electric motors that look like giant Lionel train transformers - you know the ones that look like they have breasts on the ends. Very cool way to spend a day and yes people have skated the main prop room - 8'/10' transitions with plenty of vert.

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