Risky Buildings

Farnborough Wind Tunnels

Hall Road, Farnborough, Hampshire
Grade 1 listed

The Royal Defence Agency at Farnborough was responsible for two innovative and wind tunnels, built to test aero engines and aircraft: the 24’ Wind Tunnel and the Transonic Wind Tunnel.

24’ Wind Tunnel
Royal Aircraft Engineers 1934-35
Grade I, not in conservation area
The 24’ Wind Tunnel was built to test models, engines and whole aircraft. Many important engines were tested here and it is the largest wind tunnel in the UK.
The wind tunnel itself is housed within a larger building comprising a five-storey tower surrounded by lower, two-storey blocks and basement in a U-shaped configuration. It is constructed of massed concrete and houses a cone with a propeller-like fan and return corridor fitted with deflector fins. The upper floors house structure and machinery for the suspension of models. The basement has a balance and instruments for storing and measuring engines.

Transonic Wind Tunnel
Royal Aircraft Engineers 1939-42 and 1954-56
Grade I, not in conservation area
The Transonic Wind Tunnel was built for high speed testing and modified in 1954-56 to become a transonic tunnel. It is constructed of reinforced concrete, with a steel cylinder within and an 11’ x 5’ test section. The test area within the core flask was rebuilt with slotted sides, the fan power was increased and an extension constructed to house an axial blower and a further transonic tunnel. As a cooled cylinder flask constructed for high speed testing this tunnel is now a unique survivor in the UK. Many important aircraft were tested here including the first jet-propelled aircraft to be flown in the UK, the Gloster E.28/39.

R52
This building is grade II listed and houses the 4’ x 3’ wind tunnel. It is the most easily adaptable of the buildings.

R52 & Q65
These buildings previously formed the legs and upper part of a portable air ship shed constructed in 1916 and are also grade II listed. The current plan by the building owners is to free up valuable development land by reconstructing the portable airship shed as it would have been but as a frame, without walls or roof.

Summary
Both the 24’ and Transonic wind tunnels were listed in December 1996 and upgraded to grade I in 2003.

The 24’ Wind Tunnel is currently designated for reuse, although a wide number of potential occupiers are currently under consideration, from car manufacturers to film studios. The Farnborough Air Sciences Trust hope to establish an air museum, and the Trust was trying to secure a retired Concorde for display within the 24’ wind tunnel building. The unique position of the site in the nation’s aviation heritage suggests an air museum of some kind as the most appropriate reuse.

The Transonic Wind Tunnel is currently planned to be a display building, seen as a piece of sculpture within the heritage quarter, lit at night and with no specific function.

Slough Estates now own the entire site and have advanced plans for redevelopment as a business park, designed by Norman Foster. Both wind tunnels form part of the ‘Heritage Quarter’ of the site and Slough Estates have worked closely with English Heritage in developing proposals.

The ‘Heritage Quarter’ development has been on hold and under review and all the buildings must be considered at risk until the final proposals have been agreed. There are currently signs that the development is coming back to life and viable proposals for the reuse of the buildings are sorely needed.

Tim Pitman
Luke Tozer

Current Status
January 2006
Julian Harrap Architects are carrying out a repair scheme that deals with the problems of ageing concrete. While the shells of the wind tunnels are being thus treated, FAST, The Farnborough Air Sciences Trust, is hopeful that the testing facilities can be adapted and used again for their original purpose. There are also a number of organisations interested in occupying parts of the site, including the Royal Aeronautical Society which is looking to move its library to Farnborough.
The adjacent new built business park has been partly let and slowly the area is coming back to life.

Further reading
'Enough Has Been Bulldozed Save Farnborough, The Cradle of British Aviation', published by SAVE, 70 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6EJ

Contacts
FAST: www.airsciences.org.uk
John Selby Farnborough Air Sciences Trust, T 01489 572795
William Jewson Development manager, Slough Estates, T 01753 213491, william.jewson@sloughestates.co.uk
Adam Wilkinson Save, T 020 7523 3500
David Brock, English Heritage
Research: English Heritage