Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-19
Tests of Airplane Models at Navy Yard
Represent Phase of Federal Economy
BY GEORGE IT. DACY.

"HE United States Navy tests
airplane models in it's huge
wind tunnel at the Washing
i ton NAVY Yard and solves
their scientific secrets at an
actual cost of about $500 apiece, while
if similarly detailed results were to
be obtained from the full-f1ight tests
of full-scale airplanes the expenses
would total at least $4,000.
Here IS a striking illustration Of
current Government economy in the
realm OF technical research. Every
time .an airplane Is tested in minia-
ture at the Navy Yard the Govern
ment can register saving OF Sag 800.
Washington residents in general
are not familiar with the astonishing
aeronautical research which is car
ried on daily-and has been in prog
ress continuously for the last ID
years-at the local Navy Yard. Few
persons except Government repre-
sentatives, interested in one way or
another in aviational studies. know
that one of the largest. finest and
oldest wind tunnels in the world is
only - miles from the Capitol.
Epochal results which have revo-
lutionized and standardized certain
types of airplane construction nave
been contaminated here.
Listed in Uncle Sans official
whats What" register as the Aero
dynamical Laboratory OF the Bureau
Of Construction and Repair OF the
United States Navy, these Federal
research Offices should appear awe
inspiring. But once you gam en-
trance to the airplanetesting ground,
and get a chance to look around
bit. YOU forget about the imposing
title in the genuine interest which
the scientific equipment and testing
machinery engender.
Airplanes Of every type and va
riety are made In the form OF NINA
ture models. which are then SUBJECTED
TO the vagaries of upper-air conditions
in wind tunnels. Large fans, OPP,
Grated by electricity. are harnfs9fo
to develop wind velocity SGtn rs the
airulane would encounter III actual
nioht conditions. The majority OF
the aircraft models are tested at
standard wind speed OF Az miles an
hour. However. II the scientists wish
to try the airplanes out under more
violent conditions, they can regulate
the air currents so that wind speeds
as great as 100 miles an hour can
be developed.
There are two Of these wind tunnels
AT the Washington Navy lard. Inc
smaller is 4 fee: wide, t"et high ana
40 feet long. The larger is feet wide,
3 feet high. being in the form or an
endless duct 900 feet in circuit.
In either tunnel the airpiane nlodel
is mounted in tie direCt course or the
stream of air sucked past the moaet
Inv the fan. In the larger tunnel, the
discharge from the fan is carried ha%H
again 10 the begiT2'ing oi thS 'e:t
chamber section. Thus q CloSeG GU
cult is formed with small openings ia
The tunnel near the model to eQuait@e
the pressure with the outside aimos-
nhere The fan in he smaller tNh-
mel discharges AIR directly i"'" IN"
large room, which aCroHih"a' 6es li.e
tunnel. This air c!rcuiates through
the room ard eventually returns TO
the wind tunnel. Both these VINO
tunnels ere AZ wooden construction
The hoods 81 he airp!ane 20 pc
tested j. suspended ct the center OF
The wind tunnels stra GETAWAY sec
non. Most Wind tunnels rs" TWO or
cur-hladed airp!are proNcHeEs 20
develop wind velocity. IGe large
test duct at the navy yard IS diff
ferent, as Il employs wonderful
cen,rifugal fan for this purpose. 1t
IS equipped with 100 hlades--an cleo
tricai wizard Of wind generation
which can produce strong enough
Zephyrs to blow . ioothp!ck through
teie phone rolc--if that We're pos
sihIe. This great far is driven by
500 horsepower Rotor.
The i.f,!ng and resisting forces
which &C. IN re stationary airpiA1"
model when j; i exposed "a the
swiftly moving currents "f air are
nroport,cral 10 those which Would be
met in actual flying. In each e%-
pertinent tie airpian" m"C J Nl':H
test is linked to an efIlcie.+ weigh
ing machine--it is an invention .,
the Aerodynamical Laboratory
which keeps tab on a certain sextet
of responses which the flying craft
gives TO these simulated service con-
ditions.
There are four Government agencies
which now are engaged in aeronau-
1ical research. The Bureau OF Stand
ards undertakes miscellaneous inves-
LEGATIONS for commercial concerns in
ali parts of the country. The National
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics,
which maintains laboratory at Lang
lev Field, specialtzes in very adva need
research problems. McCook Field. at
Dayton, Ohio. the proving ground of
the Army Air Service, devotes its in
vestigations chiefly 10 full fight tests,
while the Navy Department at the
Washington nayx yard gestrlcts Its