Other Speed Record Breakers Are Available!

[Mike Bull]

For anyone who is interested, Don Wales is on this BBC clip talking about that green kettle car-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8363692.stm

[sheppane]

Novie,

I did not have the good fortune to buy this box of tricks... Just happened across it on the old 'interweb'... would be interesting to know where it did find a home... if it indeed did.... would have liked the BP 59 photo album though!!!

Nice little purchase you made there Neil I will assume. Its a fantastic model and I have only ever seen one pic or drawing of the said craft many years ago. I can't remember where, possibly amongst Gina's things? But could be totally wrong on that front ? I remember that occasion well when Gina left me to look through her family chest of pics etc whilst She and Marshall went for a round of golf I was euphoric at being left alone with such personal items and Mr Whoppitt. It might of been on this occasion I viewed this strange futuristic craft? What a fantastic box you have there Neil very envious indeed.

Not having any other information on this Neil is it safe to assume that Leo, ken and Lewis may have had some input into this craft or was it the sole work of Philip Villa? Can't have been cheap getting it tested without knowing a few people able to open a few doors.

"Interesting concept indeed!"

Novie

"I'll Be Back"

[KW Mitchell]

The crucial element of this futuristic design is the addition of a horizontal stabiliser on the tailfin. All hydroplane designs of this type require it to remain unconditionally stable at speeds exceeding 300mph cf Ken Warby's 'Spirit-----'.

As I think I may have mentioned previously, K7 could have been made to do so safely with the addition of such a stabiliser on the top of the fin and set at 2 -3 degrees positive incidence. This creates aerodynamic lift at the tail, resulting in a compensating nose-down moment at the bows.

DMC would have achieved his dream with the addition of such an appendage but the typically British attitude of '----playing to the rules -----' precluded the mod'.

[Mike Bull]

Have just caught up with the documentary about the steam car, and must admit that although I wasn't hugely interested in it to start with, I did enjoy the programme after all.

[Renegadenemo]

I was more intrigued with the Stanley Steamer... a fascinating old beast.

[Excelsior2007]

I remember watching on BBC 2 a couple of months ago a documentary about the steam powered car and Don Wales' involvement with the project. Good to see that the Campbells are still doing what they do best.

[jonwrightk7]

the fact that all the modern technology only increase the record by the amount it did just shows what a fantastic effort the stanley steamer was. not to take anything away from mr wales and the team of course. just shows world records are not easily won

[Renegadenemo]

Has anyone researched the Stanley Steamer? I did and they were a very slick piece of machinery. Record breaking in one basically involved cooking the small, vertical boiler to impossible pressures then hanging on for dear life. But... there's not one recorded case of a SS boiler failing under pressure and that's interesting. It seems the limiting factor was the chassis, aero' and handling of the machine - not its machinery so if you want a steam-car record get the boiler and engine drawings and stick the powerplant into a better platform.

[Excelsior2007]

In regards to Quest - looks a fascinating boat. I can see the similarities between it and K7. Also puts me in mind about the boat I'm currently writing about in my new book, Hunter's Hurdle.

[sheppane]

An early image of SoA taken in 77. Did she run without the air intake cowling in this condition?

020057Spirit-of-Aust-02.jpg