Supersonic Wind Tunnel

Here is a look at the Supersonic Wind Tunnel at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory, it was the largest supersonic wind tunnel in the nation at the time and the only one able to test full-scale engines at supersonic speeds. This design worked well for initial aerodynamic testing, but the local community was literally rattled by the noise and vibrations when researchers began running engines in the test section in January 1950. The NACA’s most modern wind tunnel was referred to as “an 87,000-horsepower bugle aimed at the heart of Cleveland.” NACA Lewis responded to the complaints by adding an acoustic housing at the end of the tunnel to dampen the noise. The structure included resonator chambers and a reinforced concrete muffler structure. Modifications continued over the years. #supersonicwindtunnel #naca #nasa #lewisflightpripulsionlab #aviationsafari #aviationpreservation #boneyardsafari #aviationadventures