The Southern California Cooperative Wind Tunnel: From the Air Age to Supersonic

By the 1930s, airplanes were no longer novelties but vital components of transportation, commerce, and war. The “Air Age” had begun. 

Originally conceived in 1938, construction on the Southern California Cooperative Wind Tunnel (SCCWT) began in the fall of 1941. Although World War II was almost over when the wind tunnel opened, the aerospace industry had taken hold in Southern California.

On October 14, 1947, Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier (Mach 1) and soon after, supersonic flight was an imminent possibility.

In 1951, the five owner companies authorized alteration of the wind tunnel to increase speed to Mach 1.8 – Supersonic.

The modified SCCWT opened in 1955 with transonic and supersonic testing capabilities.

The wind tunnel modification project in photos. In 33 working days, the old tunnel was torched apart, two major sections scrapped, and two new sections moved into place ready to be welded into a continuous circuit. 

This 1957 brochure gives a general description of the SCCWT along with photos.

The Southern California Cooperative Wind Tunnel Testing Information bulletin (1957) has all the information you need about using the wind tunnel, including a price sheet for  engine testing and local hotels and restaurants.

The wind tunnel stopped operations on June 30, 1960 and was sold at auction.

In May 2004, the building re-opened as ArtCenter's South Campus.