GRADUATE AEROSPACE LABORATORIES
California Institute of Technology
Division of Engineering and Applied Science
1200 E. California Boulevard, MS 105-50, Pasadena, CA 91125
Lucas AWT
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Historical
AWT construction
Ten-Foot Tunnel

Historical Perspective
Ten-Foot Wind Tunnel

The Ten-Foot Tunnel was the foundation for GALCIT's prominence in aeronautics.  Constructed in 1926, it was in operation until 1996, when it was demolished to make room for new offices and facilities.  The Lucas AWT occupies the basement and sub-basement levels of the former Ten-Foot Tunnel.  Following are selected articles, reports and photos about and from the old tunnel.

Historical Outline of the 10-Foot Tunnel
Gerald Landry

Historic GALCIT 10 Foot Wind Tunnel to Close Its Doors After 68 Years of Service
Gerald Landry, 3 March 1997

Reports

Report 858, Motorcycle Fairing Test, 1968

Photos

Click on images to enlarge.

Construction

Digging underway!

Contraction cone

Mechanicals

Original open nozzle

Closed test section

View up ramp
     

Four-bladed fan

Elevation diagram

Three-bladed fan
     

Balance closeup

Balance room, above
test section

Rigging diagram
   

1940 balance rig

Wire balance rigging

People

Badges
     

Clark B. Millikan

Theodore von Karman
   

Bill Bettes

1930 wind tunnel staff

Tests

Akron airship

Northrop Alpha

Boeing B-17
     

Douglas DC-3

1963 Chevy  Corvette

Delta-wing body
     

Learjet

Honda motorcycle

Salt-flats speed car
 

Building models