The Focke Wind Tunnel was built by the pioneering Bremen aircraft designer Prof. Henrich Focke and was his last research
laboratory; more details can be found on the drop-down menu at the side. Construction of the wind tunnel began in 1961 and
finished in 1963.
Focke then spent nearly every day in practical experiments in the wind tunnel, with the objective of clarifying some of the many then unanswered aerodynamic questions, and in the pursuit of new knowledge. He was particularly interested in maximising flight safety through aerodynamic advances and better flight stability. Further, the search for aircraft fuels with a high flash point to minimise the risk of fire following a crash or emergency landing. In this context, he sought to minimise aircraft approach and landing speeds. His work continued until 1975 when, on reaching the age of 85, declining health forced him to cut back.
Prof. Focke died in 1979, since when the wind tunnel was virtually abandoned and left to rot. The Focke family did not have the money to maintain or repair the building, and as time went by the roof developed leaks and the rainwater came in.
In 1998 the wind tunnel and building were in a very poor condition. The roof leaked and large puddles formed on the floor after every shower of rain. In addition, many of the skylight glass panes were cracked or had leaky seals.
The roof gutters were broken, resulting in a rapid deterioration of the brickwork, which was therefore in very urgent need of protection. The ingress of moisture also had a serious effect on the wooden structure of the wind tunnel. Many of the hard fibreboards had softened or been attacked by mould, and had to be replaced. Luckily, replacement boards were inexpensive, but cutting and fitting was very time-consuming.
The electrical wiring in the wind tunnel and laboratory was no longer safe or reliable; so the building had to be completely re-wired.
Likewise, other utilities were no longer fit for service: no gas, no mains water supply, or drains. The heating system was in similar poor condition. The gas heater installed by Focke was in a dangerous condition; the coal-fired central heating system had leaky radiators and were unfit for service.
At Christmas 1997 PhD student Kai Steffen was given a book, aeronautical pioneer Henrich Focke's autobiography Mein Lebensweg, ('My Life') published by the Peter Kurze Verlag. In this book, almost as an aside Focke mentioned that towards the end of the Borgward era he had built his own wind tunnel and associated laboratory. In another aside, Focke also mentioned the location of his home, which was not far from where Kai Steffens then lived. He got in touch with the Focke family and was told that the wind tunnel still existed.
After a number of exploratory discussions, Kai Steffens was allowed to inspect the rooms in which the famous aviation pioneer had researched towards the end of his life.
Kai Steffen and his friends quickly concluded: "This laboratory is probably unique and must be conserved for posterity, come what may." Soon after, they made repeat visits with friends and acquaintances; then followed long discussions as to how the Focke Wind Tunnel and laboratory could be rescued from dilapidation. They determined that, although the repair of the wooden wind tunnel would be very time-consuming, the materials would be cheap and were easily available through home improvement stores. The main problem was the poor condition of the roof: the damage to roof, skylight and walls was so bad, that it would be a major cost item, certainly beyond the means of a few university students and junior scientists.
Between 1998 and 2000 two small work groups tackled the reconstruction of the wind tunnel, but progress was hindered by the lack of funds, time needed for university studies, examinations, dissertations, and family responsibilities. It became clear that a small group of students was not very good at attracting donations; it called for a more professional approach. So Kai Steffen decided to have one last try as soon as he had finished is doctorate and had more time.
This 'one last try' included publication of news stories in local newspapers and the aviation press, inviting television news teams to see the wind tunnel, giving presentations and setting up a charitable foundation to repair and sustain the wind tunnel and laboratory. Simultaneously, the foundation wrote to companies, public authorities and other foundations inviting their support. This effort quickly brought success and resulted in donations of about 250,000 Euros for the building repair, in particular from the following organisations:
Repairs began in the late autumn of 2003; work was completed and the research laboratory was opened to the public on 25 February 2005, exactly 26 years after the death of Henrich Focke
Now that the renovation has been concluded, funds are naturally still required to operate the wind tunnel and cover essential regular costs. Further, the Association is keen to recruit more volunteers to assist visitors, students and wind tunnel users.
Now the building and wind tunnel have been renovated, they have the same appearance as they did in the period 1963-1975 when Prof. Focke was researching. The wind tunnel is open to the public on the first Saturday of each month and gives a unique insight into the aerodynamic research undertaken by Prof. Focke, who was without doubt one of the world's leading aviation pioneers.
In 2006 the Association received an enquiry from a manufacturer of wind turbines as to whether it would be possible to undertake regular research using the wind tunnel. This would call for a complete renovation of the aerodynamic installations in order to achieve accurate, properly calibrated results. Part of the costs would be borne by the wind turbine manufacturer, with the rest paid by the Association.
The Association has been successful in finding Bremen business sponsors for the fabrication of a new propeller and the installation of a modern control system to facilitate infinitely variable selection of the wind speed.
In addition, the wind tunnel will be fitted with electronic pressure sensors and Dr. Kai Steffen is developing a micro-controlled three-axis positioning system.
The happy outcome is that Henrich Focke's historic wind tunnel is once again available for use as a modern low-speed aerodynamic research laboratory.
The wind tunnel and laboratory cost several thousand Euros to operate each year, and the Association continues to invite sponsorship. Donations received during public open days are unfortunately insufficient to cover the costs.
Since opening to the public, it has become evident that Focke's wind tunnel laboratory facilities are too confined to allow for an adequate presentation of Bremen's role in the history and development of flight to more than a handful of visitors. To this end, the Association would like to acquire additional facilities, but would need 250,000 Euros for purchase, interior modifications and furnishings.
The additional space would include a room for films and presentations, plus an exhibition of photos, models and historic artefacts relating to the wind tunnel, plus the industrial aerospace history of Bremen.