There is a science in the automotive world called âpalmodynamicsâ in which drivers or passengers stick their hand out the window of a moving car and tilt it up or down or to the side to see how much the wind will take over sending it flying in a new direction.
How many of us did the same thing with toy cars, hanging a Matchbox model out the window and making jet engine noises as the car cut through the wind? Bonus points if the car had opening doors, which were kind of like wings if you were a certain age.
Windsible remembers. The folks at Fun Tech Lab have created a working wind tunnel for model cars. A real, working wind tunnel. And yes, that is the Model Car Hall of Fame Accessory of the Year for 2024. Basically, you put a model in the compartment, close the transparent door, and hit the button. A mist of top-secret gases swirls over the model, resulting in some really cool patterns around and behind the car. Thereâs no scientific measuring to be had here, just the mind-blowing effect of watching how a model car can cut through the wind.
Their wind tunnel comes in three sizes, appropriate for 1/64-scale, 1/25-scale, and 1/18-scale model cars. Sorry, did we say âmodel carsâ? You can put just about anything that will fit in there. Action figures, rocks, a bottle of hot sauce⊠if it fits, the wind can swirl around it.
The devices are not cheap, but the overall effect is stunning. Itâs a way to see how slippery your model cars are without fear of dropping them at 65 miles per hour on the pavement. For that, the Windsible Wind tunnel is the Model Car Hall of Fame Accessory of the Year for 2024.
The Model Car Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany, on  January 30, 2025. Thanks to everyone at Spielwarenmesse for having us as a part of their event.
