No3 Wind Tunnel

Brief Description

The No.3 low speed tunnel was built in 1946 and was in use until the mid 1990s.
The exceptionally low flow turbulence of this wind tunnel makes it suitable for calibration work and for preliminary development work prior to investment in larger facilities.  Because of its simplicity, safety and low operating costs this tunnel is also ideal for educational use.

Plan view of No3 tunnel - line drawing

The tunnel has an air circuit of octagonal cross-section and a closed working section designed to operate at atmospheric pressure.  The tunnel has an exceptionally high contraction ratio of 32:1 and is built to a very high standard, almost entirely of wood.  It is supported on a steel frame.

The tunnel has seven screens to control turbulence.  The screens are removable and slide in on rails.

The mahogany six-bladed fan is powered by a 200HP DC motor on a pedestal that is separate from the tunnel structure.  The motor is one of the earliest on the site, dating from 1916.  Since the original 500V DC supply is no longer available the suggested solution is to preserve the historic motor for display and fit a new, matched induction motor and electronic drive unit.

Power will be available from the substation in the north east corner of R52

Full Colour Brochure in PDF format (1,220kB)

Working section 4' x 3' x 11' (1.2m x 0.9m x 3.4m)
Design speed Up to 280ft/sec (85m/sec)
Floor balance None
Roof balance Three component with manual readout
Sting support With traverse
Contraction ratio
 32 to 1

Tunnel Equipment

The tunnel is currently equipped with a roof-mounted three-component balance.  The balance has connections for wire suspensions and is balanced by hand.  It could be adapted for automatic balancing and remote data capture.

The floor of the working section is fitted with a sting mount with vertical travel. No other instrumentation remains.

Previous Uses of the No.3 Tunnel

The following list of the tunnel’s past uses gives an indication of its capabilities.

  • Preliminary development work prior to investment in larger facilities
  • Research on boundary layer development and transition
  • High performance glider wing sections
  • Development and calibration of aircraft instrumentation
  • Development of 2D testing techniques
  • Combat aircraft research
  • Vortex development research
  • Anemometer calibration
  • Testing of sharp edge M and W wings
 No 3 tunnel fan - downstream
Showing the contraction into the working area that achieves a ratio of 32 to 1 No 3 tunnel contraction and start of working section


Building Modifications

R52 is Grade II listed so any alterations will require listed building consent.

The building has a large workshop space along the north side.  There will be office space and additional workshop space available close by in units that are part of Slough Estates’ development plans for the Park.

No 3 tunnel ground plan - colour coded by use
Uses square metres
Windtunnel 355
Workshop/storage 105
Facilities: WC’s, kitchens 91
Other  uses
382
total
 923


Enquiries

For further information please contact:       
Stephen Lord, Senior Development Manager       
Slough Estates plc
234 Bath Road
Slough               
Berkshire SL1 4EE           
Tel: 01753 213472
email: Stephen.Lord@sloughestates.co.uk

Full Colour Brochure in PDF format (1,220kB)

[back]

Copyright © Farnborough Air Sciences Trust: Registered Charity 1040199
Version: 1.03 date: 10 June  2005, URL: http://www.airsciences.org.uk