The vertical wind tunnel (ADT) of the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute T-105 will celebrate its 80th anniversary next year.

This vertical wind tunnel of the closed type has one return channel and an open working part with a diameter of 4.5 meters. The flow in the tube is created by an axial fan, which is located in the return channel. It is driven by a 450 kW electric motor. The motor was designed and manufactured in 1940. It was originally planned to be installed in submarines.

This vertical installation was created to investigate the free spin of aircraft and the aerodynamic characteristics of helicopter models.

As explained by the head of the ADT sector Pavel Shumeyko, the spin of an airplane is its uncontrolled downward movement along a steep spiral of small radius with simultaneous rotation on all three axes, it occurs due to the exit to large angles of attack. Free-floating aircraft models are tested in such a tube to determine corkscrew characteristics and recovery methods.

Made in Russia // Made in Russia

Author: Ksenia Gustova