'Donald Campbell- The Final Record Attempt' by Neil Sheppard

[Renegadenemo]

I wonder if the difference lies in the stabilising fin - if I scale my drawing to be 7' 6" from bottom of planing shoe to top of fin, then 8.04ft (8' 1/2") neatly lines up as the measurement from top of vertical fin to bottom of stabilising fin.

Now that would make a lot of sense. Shall I go measure it in the morning?

[DamienB]

You know you want to

[Mike Bull]

Well, we just need to know how far the stabilising fin (and/or rudder?) sticks down below the bottom of the planing shoe, and that could very well be the missing inches; it certainly looks to be the case here-

01.jpg

Even at the most rudimentary of glances, the bottom of the stabilising fin to the top of the bodywork and the height of the tail fin appear to be the same- and as the tail fin is about four feet, that makes it all about 8 feet. Sorted!

It doesn't help the calculations of position carried out with the wrong figure that have gone into print, but at least we might be able to bottom where '8 feet' ever came from in the first place.

[Renegadenemo]

You know you want to

'Yes, Dear... of course I'll take Sunday off.'
'Spend it with the family - wouldn't have it any other way.'
'Bluebird. Nooo!'

OK guys, I'll dash down there and apply the ruler in the morning but don't tell the missus. Let's see if we can bottom this one.

[captain sparkle]

You know you want to

'Yes, Dear... of course I'll take Sunday off.'
'Spend it with the family - wouldn't have it any other way.'
'Bluebird. Nooo!'

OK guys, I'll dash down there and apply the ruler in the morning but don't tell the missus. Let's see if we can bottom this one.

Can you not do it now?
The suspense is killing me!!

Anyway i'm off to 'open' the book, just got it today.

[wbjohn]

I've been talking to the other half about this thread tonight and realise where every one is going wrong ! Remember chaps the ruler in the workshop is different to the ruler in the bedroom, 1/2 inch makes all the difference

[Mike Bull]

[Renegadenemo]

Well, we just need to know how far the stabilising fin (and/or rudder?) sticks down below the bottom of the planing shoe

If that's what they've done I'd put my money on the rudder rather than the stabilising fin as the latter seems to be something of a temporary affair. It was on and off like a tart's knickers so far as I can tell and using it as any sort of worthwhile dimension would be like using the radio antenna but the rudder is a bit more permanent. I'll check it in the morning.

[f1steveuk]

Though the rudder had been shortened!!

[Renegadenemo]

Though the rudder had been shortened!!

Was the rudder shortened? I wouldn't fancy that job. It's a bloody great slab of what feels like forged steel. You'd be on a fortnight with a hacksaw.