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The purpose of this paper is to present the benefits offered by rapid prototyping (RP) models for wind‐tunnel testing as part of fourth‐year aerospace engineering student projects. Ways of overcoming some of the difficulties associated with the 3D printing technology are also discussed.

Polymer‐based RP was used to fabricate two‐aircraft models, which included stiffening metallic inserts. Testing in a subsonic‐wind tunnel was carried out and the results compared to analytic performance predictions.

Low‐cost rapid prototypes of wind‐tunnel models yielded satisfactory aerodynamic performance. The savings in acquisition cost and time allowed incorporating actual testing in the aircraft design process within the framework of a tight academic budget and schedule.

Conducting real‐wind‐tunnel testing contributes significantly to the educational experience of students; however, it had rarely been carried out when metal model fabrication was the only option. In contrast, RP facilitates an enhanced and more realistic learning experience by offering a quick and affordable means of model manufacturing.

Simple methods of reinforcing polymer‐based models were incorporated, thus presenting an inexpensive way to test and evaluate preliminary aircraft designs, in both academia and industry.

This article deals with the contribution of visual presentation to education for national identity, an issue not examined sufficiently by recent theories of nationalism. Studies of nationalism mention education only in general terms, as an instrument of socialisation on the macro level of the national system, and do not consider specific ‘micro’ educational tools. One such tool is the use of visual presentation, notably in textbooks. To demonstrate the use of visual images in promoting nationalism, this study focuses on Zionist geography textbooks at the time of the British Mandate (1918‐1948) in what Israelis refer to as Eretz Israel (pre‐state Israel), exploited by the Jewish Yishuv (Jewish community) to rally pupils to contribute to ‘the state in the making’.