FAC & FAST Museum - Wind Tunnel Tour
Monday 1st September 2025
Tour Details:
- 📅 Date: Monday 1st September at either 10am or 2pm (to be decided)
- 🕒 Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours
- 💷 Cost: £45.00 per person (a portion of this will be donated to the FAST Museum)
- 📍 Location: Historic Wind Tunnels, Farnborough
What you will see
The historic Wind Tunnels at Farnborough are some of the few remaining buildings from the world famous Royal Aircraft Establishment. Saved from demolition by FAST and given listed status, these magnificent buildings were at the forefront of aerodynamic research and development from the early 1930s until 1994.
The buildings are not open to the general public and tours are operated exclusively by volunteers from the Trust with the kind permission of the Farnborough Business Park Owners and Management Team.
The Wind Tunnels Tour provides a close look at two of the remaining tunnels and will give visitors an opportunity to learn about the varied history, the impressive construction, the critical research work undertaken before, during and after WWII up to and including the supersonic jet age.
Tour Itinerary
The Tour follows this broad itinerary:
1. An initial gathering at the site in building R52, followed by an introduction to FAST and the volunteer team, ‘do’s, don’ts’ and full safety briefing.
2. An introductory talk about the history and operation of wind tunnels, followed by a short RAE archive film and an exhibition of wind tunnel models.
3. A close look at the ‘4 x 3’ low turbulence’ wind tunnel built entirely from wood in 1946.
4. A short walk to building Q121, the magnificent ’24 Foot’ Wind Tunnel’ opened in 1935 and in operation until 1994.
5. Tour of the preparation area, balance platform working section and ‘return circuit’ of the tunnel, including a close up look at the laminated mahogany fan.
6. A short walk across the site to the remains of the ‘Sea Plane Tank’.
7. Final gathering in building R52, subject matter Q&A, hand out of a high quality souvenir booklet and closing slide show.
Places are very limited so book your place now!!!!
Email rachel.abethell@fac.org.uk or complete the form on this page.
Event Registration Form
EVENT BOOKING
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