Development of a hypervelocity wind tunnel

Wind tunnels are far older than powered flight. Including the aeroplane of the Wright Brothers, the introduction of new types of aircraft has almost invariably been preceded by extensive model investigation in wind tunnels. These investigations can be classified into two broad areas. One is development testing, in which models are tested and modified with the purpose of producing a specific aircraft configuration. The other covers the research and general experimentation which is necessary for the determination of the new rules governing entry into a new régime of flight. Thus, wind tunnels may conveniently be referred to either as “development” or as “research” wind tunnels, according to the type of work which is done in them.