The 5ft wind tunnel was designed by R.M. McKinnon Wood, Head of B.A. Department and built in 1930 as a scale model of the proposed 24ft tunnel. It was first equipped with a 50hp motor which gave a maximum speed of 115 mile/h. In 1933 a 500hp motor was fitted to increase the maximum speed to 210mile/h. This was the fastest wind tunnel in the UK until 1939.

Apart from its use to develop the design of the 24ft tunnel, the 5ft tunnel has been continuously used since 1932 for general aerodynamic research and particularly for flutter tests on flexible models. In 1974, further modifications were planned to convert the tunnel for noise research.

The 5ft wind tunnel was designed by R.M. McKinnon Wood, Head of B.A. Department and built in 1930 as a scale model of the proposed 24ft tunnel. It was first equipped with a 50hp motor which gave a maximum speed of 115 mile/h. In 1933 a 500hp motor was fitted to increase the maximum speed to 210mile/h. This was the fastest wind tunnel in the UK until 1939.

Apart from its use to develop the design of the 24ft tunnel, the 5ft tunnel has been continuously used since 1932 for general aerodynamic research and particularly for flutter tests on flexible models. In 1974, further modifications were planned to convert the tunnel for noise research.