Evening star., 1939-05-03
n. A. {. A. Scientists
Go 10 Work in New
Wind Tunnels
lotest Development
In Study Of AirpIones
In Service at Langley
BY JOSEPH s. EDGERTON,
Star STAFF Correspondent,

BY JOSEPH S. EDGERTON,
Star Staff Correspondent.
LANGLEY FIELD, Hampton, Va,
May 3.-Working under pressure
conditions similar to those expert
enced by sand hogs" who drive
tunnels under rivers and by deep
sea divers, research scientists of the
National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics today went to work in
two newly dedicated wind tunnels
here to meet the challenge of new
German pursuit airplane reported
to have made a speed of 468 miles
per hour and other foreign develop
ments.
The two tunnels, only ones of their
kind In the world, were dedicated
late yesterday by more than 400
aeronautical leaders from all parts
of the Nation. Many Of these lead
ers were on their way home today
pledged to support an increased pro-
gram of aeronautical research in in
dustrial and college laboratories to
further the accelerated Federal re-
search program, and to support
Nationwide campaign for additional
governmental aviation research.
Lindbergh to Don Uniform.
Among these leaders was Col
Charles A. Lindbergh, who is expect
ed to don the uniform of colonel
of the Army Air oorps today or to-
morrow and to take off from Wash
tngton in an Army P-36 pursuit air.
plane to continue his studies of the
Nations research facilities. Under
Army regulations, officers Of the Alr
Corps and the Organized Reserve
on active duty are required to be III
uniform on cross-country missions.
Col Lindbergh, who has not worn
an Army uniform since before his
flight to Paris II years ago, ordered
q new uniform soon after reporting
to Maj. Gen. Henry H. Arnold, CHIEF
of the Air Corps, for active duty
Delivery OF the uniform was expect
ed today and the colonel, who re-
turned to Washington this morning
on the Norfolk & Washington
steamer, was expected to resume his
aerial inspection trip at once.
The last time Col. Lindbergh wore
an Army uniform, 1t is understood,
was while he was on duty with the
aviation squadron of the Missouri
National Guard at st. Louis during
his days as an airmail pilot. He was
promoted from captain to colonel in
the Missouri Guard following his
Paris flight and was transferred
in this grade to the Army Air Corps
Reserve.
Favorable Impression.
Col. Lindbergh made a favorable
impression during the 14th annual
inspection Of the N. A. G. A. labora-
tories here yesterday. Genial, affa-
BILE. laughing and joking, he was far
from the dour, taciturn figure he has
been pictured during recent years.
He mingled with the crowd attend
ing the inspection, among them
aviation writer's of newspapers and
magazines, without restraint and
took an active part in the social as
well as the business activities of
the group.
He declined, however, to say any
thing for publication. He told news
writer's that he has not authorized
any statement for publication for
seven years, although he said he has
been pretty freely quoted" never
theless. Even had Col. Lindbergh
wished to break his silence during
the trip, however, he could not have
done so, in accordance with an
1of h &c
duty any statement concerning his
activities must be made through reg
ular War Department channels.
Tunnel Latest Development.
The new 19-foot pressure wind
tunnel, dedicated yesterday and put
into intensive research service to-
day, is the N. A. C. AS latest step
in the development of improved
methods for study Of problems in
the design of large high-speed air
craft, is regarded as vital addition
to national basic research facilities
now very heavily outweighed by tre-
mendous research expansion pro-
grams abroad.
The test chamber is housed in
portion Of the tunnel so feet in
diameter, and the engineers working
there are subjected to pressures
ranging from a maximum of 212
atmospheres, or 40 pounds per
square inch, to a partial vacuum.
The Jet containing the model is 10
feet in diameter, and through this
Jet air, under compression, can be
forced at speeds in excess of $50
miles per hour.
The tunnel is equipped with spe-
cial airlocks and decomposition
chamber, and the working section
is equipped with air-cooling appa-
ratus to dissipate the great amount
of heat generated during operation
of the tunnel and with dehumidi-
fiers to make working conditions
possible. The complete tunnel is
271 feet long and 1913 feet wide. Air
is moved by a propeller 341k feet
In diameter, driven by an 5000
horsepower electric motor. The tun-
mel has required two years to COM
plete.
It will be used not only for re-
search on methods of improving
large alrplaneS, DuC 1Or lnVeSIlgaIlng
propellers operating at high tip
speeds and to investigate the flutter
and vibration of wings, propellers
and tail surfaces on high-speed air
planes. Such futter or vibration,
unless found and corrected, may
lead to structural failures in flight.
The second tunnel dedicated yes
terday is devoted to studies of air
plane models in full, free fight.
Speakers at the dedication cere-
monies were DR.. Edward P. Warner,
former Assistant Secretary of the
Navy for Aeronautics and member
of the N. A. c. A., who was con-
f1rmed by the Senate Monday as a
member of the Civil Aeronautics
Authority, and Col. John H. Jouett,
president of the Aeronautical
Chamber of Commerce.