I would like to find the video clip of a human in a wind tunnel (I
THINK IT'S A WIND TUNNNEL).  This is a relatively famous clip of a
human with eye covers inside a wind tunnel and his face is severely
contorted due to the high velocity winds.  I think it's either air
force or NASA testing, and I also think it's from the 50's.

Idealy, I would like the video clip

Otherwise, I'd like pictures of the experiment

bottom of the barrel, I would like more information regarding the
individual or the event that is taking place

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 16 Apr 2004 11:32 PDT

MAN...this is an unexpectedly tough one, especially for such a famous
piece of film.

I've gotten half-way there with it.  Have a look at the link here:

http://www.footage.net/cgi-bin/FN/director.cgi?calling=docview&table=wpa&pkey=59693&query=$(wind+tunnel)

As you can see, the WPA company seems to have the footage, but their
description provides so little information that I can't, in good
faith, post it as an answer.  However, perhaps this will lead you, or
another researcher, to the actual images.

Good luck.

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Clarification of Question by stuf-ga on 16 Apr 2004 14:16 PDT

Well, I went to the website posted.  WPA film library is based out of
Chicago.  I cannot download the clip--ONLY order it for $50(!) on VHS,
it's a 5 minute clip.
      I refuse to believe this is the only place on the internet,
where this clip is available.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 16 Apr 2004 17:57 PDT

stuf-ga,

I agree wholeheartedly...those pictures/videos have GOT to be
available somewhere else.  The question is....Where?

I'm still looking...

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by stuf-ga on 17 Apr 2004 09:43 PDT

I suppose this exposes the inherent limitations of the Google search
engine.  Although the best available, Google is far from ideal.  An
image, an idea fires within the neurons of your brain.  You search the
internet desperately trying to put thoughts into words in an effort to
make this ocean of information resonate at the same frequency of your
mind.  Woefully inadequate?  The transition is often as clear as mud.

However, pafalafa, you--or whichever of your fellow researchers
chooses to embark--will have your moment of ZEN!

GODSPEED MAN.

Stuf --

You're not referring to Steve Stiegman's famous photo, used by a
speaker company in its advertising?
http://www.egalleryone.com/images/kate2/stiegman%20-%20blown%20away.jpg

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

No, I've seen that one before too.  The clip I'm talking about is an
actual experiment (military, maybe).  The subject is sitting and his
eye's are covered and his face is being heavily contorted by the high
winds

Isn't that the movie of the guy in a High G aparatus ??

That's what people have suggested, it might be.  But the wind speed is
INCREDIBLE, I've seen G-Force machines-- they don't seem to spin
incredibly fast.

I think I have seen the film that stuf refers to and I seem to
remember it quite well.  I have searched high and low but couldn't
find it.  The snap shot I have of it in my mind is that of a B&W semi
profile of a man facing left, with flying goggles on (the old fashined
round type, not the teardrop type) with his cheeks flapping about all
over the place.  I think the camera then pulls back and you see the
man leaning heavily forward in order to stay standing up.  I think
that's the one anyway.

Good luck

THX113

I've found a QuickTime clip of CNN's David Mattingly in a wind tunnel at 90mph:

http://edition.cnn.com/quicktime/1999/09/14/floyd/240x180.html

I've seen other, similar wind tunnel broadcasts from meteorologists
during hurricane season. This is the only one I've found online.

I received a piece of junk mail only a few days ago that had the
pictures on it.  There were about 8 photos in order of increasing wind
speed.  They were black and white, showed only the head and shoulders
of the man, and were taken from directly in front of him, not from the
side. His eyes were covered by cloth eye guards.  They looked a little
like goggles, but of course they weren't transparent.  At the highest
speeds, the man couldn't keep his mouth closed and the shape of his
eyes, which were squeezed shut, showed through the cloth protectors. 
Unfortunately I think I have discarded the piece of mail.

Have you seen Jackie Chan's movie called "Operation Condor"? He has
been sent to track down stolen Nazi gold buried beneath the Sahara.
There was a scene when he fights with someone while huge turbines make
incredible winds. First they struggle to stand, then the wind changes
it direction and tries to suck them in.

P.S. I'm not sure if it's "Operation Condor" or "The Armour of God"

I'm quite sure that the video that you are referring to is actually
not a wind tunnel clip but rather high-speed video footage of Col.
(Dr.) John Paul Stapp's famous "Sonic Wind I" rocket sled experiment. 
In order to gauge the limits of the human body's ability to withstand
G-forces, Col. Stapp subjected himself to an acceleration from 0 to
632 mph in approx 5 seconds (after which he was stopped in a mere 1.4
seconds!) on December 10, 1954 at Halloman Air Force Base in New
Mexico.  He experienced a force of no less than 40Gs! The data
recorded during his trials were key to the development of safer
aviation/automobile equipment such as helmets and seatbelts.

Surprisingly, Dr. Stapp was well aware of the dangers of his
research--including the possibility that he could have permanently
lost his eyesight--and in order to prepare for such consequences, it
is said that he navigated around his house blindfolded for several
days before the famous ride to become accustomed to his home
environment by the sense of touch alone! He personally performed 27 of
the 73 manned trials, but luckily he suffered no permanent retinal
detachment/hemorrhages and only several broken bones.


...Sorry, I enjoy history, so I probably went into too much detail,
but all of the above information should be readily available, and
several keywords should help you find any additional resources you're
looking for.

I may be mistaken, but I believe the special on the Discovery Channel
playing today (and times past) called "Human Cannonballs" (1:00pm?)
has a segment about G-forces in which there is footage of Col/Dr
Stapp's rocket sled runs.  Check it out; if I'm wrong, it's still an
interesting watch for those that have time.  That may be your chance
to record the video... otherwise, it's certainly available on the
internet somewhere.

Let me know if this helps or if I just rambled on about nothing :)  Cheers,
MateoValor-ga

Dear mateovalor,

     Firstly, thanks for responding to my question.  Indeed Col. John
Stapp is a notable pioneer in safety standards for transportation
(although you have to wonder if accelerating from 0-650 mph in 5
seconds on a rocket engine with a seat belt--and then back to 0 in 1.5
seconds was really necessary!!! haha).
    I looked into it, however it doesn't seem Col. Stapp is the figure
I am looking for.  Although you did mention that Stapp participated in
27 of the 79 high velocity tests leaving room for other possible
candidates.
    I read your response at 2:00PM on Sunday--JUST ENOUGH TIME TO MISS
THE HUMAN CANNONBALL DOCUMENTARY ON THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL, WHICH MIGHT
HAVE HAD THE VIDEO CLIP I WAS LOOKING FOR.  However, I did not have a
VCR with which to record from, but i still would've liked to catch it
:(
      I did find out that MURHPY'S LAW arose from Stapp's experiments.
 Apparently someone connected Stapp's chest sensors the wrong way-- 
During the test, the machines measured 0 G's while stapp ended up
breaking some ribs.  Stapp was later heard saying:

"If there are two or more ways to do something, and one
of those ways can result in a catastrophe, then someone will
do it."  

Anyway,  I really would like the video clip of the test subject I
outlined.  this is for a project I'm doing at school, and timing is an
issue.

Thank You!

from what i remember,  it wasnt a windtunnel,  but a centrifuge.  (the
military thing that spins around at hypersonic speeds to show the
effect of g-forces on the body)