MoLAS 2005: annual review

Pyestock, Hampshire

Clients: Astral Developments Ltd

During 2004 and 2005, MoLAS undertook a major programme of building recording and research at the former National Gas Turbine Research Establishment (NGTE) at Pyestock in Hampshire, adjacent to Farnborough airfield. Gas turbines are otherwise known as jet engines and NGTE Pyestock was the foremost jet engine test facility in Europe from the 1950s to the late 1980s - at times it was the leader in jet engine research and testing in the world. The engines for military planes and passenger jets, including Concorde, were tested in one of 4 test cells ? each designed to replicate flight conditions, speed, temperature, pressure and relative moisture.

The engine research facility was largely decommissioned by the late 1990s, partly as a result of the relative maturity of jet engine technology and also the increasing use of computer modelling in tests. The site is now owned by Astral Developments Ltd and MoLAS is working with Astral, the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) and Hampshire County Council to ensure that not only an appropriate record has been made, but that archive material from the site is secured for the future.

This site report is extracted from MoLAS 2005: annual review