Landracing Forum
Thrust-powered Land Speed information => Discussions on absolute land speed records => Topic started by: smarjoram on April 03, 2013, 07:00:29 AM
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It's been a busy time since the rocket test last October. I'm starting to get into the swing of making regular films (and juggling it with all the other photo work etc). We've brought out a book which explains all the many processes involved in designing a record car. Most importantly though, big chunks of the car are finally arriving - and being assembled in the workshop! It's very exciting to hear people welding, hammering and grinding downstairs - and to look over the balcony and see the lower chassis taking form. This photo was taken during the test fit/rivet hole drilling stage and the completed assembly has now been taken apart again for painting. Any day now it'll be back and the final glueing and riveting can start...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8082/8402807908_eac940b7cc_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8402807908/)
btc-0052 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8402807908/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
It's all done with the utmost precision - here's Viv marking out the positions of the rivets with a jewellers eye-glass...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/8455436351_fc2f0f5f68_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8455436351/)
BTC-8385 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8455436351/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
From this end you can see the hole for the rocket. It's probably worth pointing out that the car can be split into two halves - with the top half housing the EJ200 jet and the lower half the rocket assembly...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8471463396_c902b01ec9_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8471463396/)
btc-8428 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8471463396/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
We've also built and tested the gearbox which connects the Cosworth engine to the pump for the rocket...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8226/8470366781_644d82769c_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8470366781/)
btc-8426 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8470366781/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
Here it is on the test rig at X-Trac - sprouting all sorts of sensors and observation tubes. We successfully spun it up to 18,200rpm. First on a level surface, then tilted at 64º to simulate what would happen to the oil under acceleration...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8506/8555490752_b312431309_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8555490752/)
xtrac-9602 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8555490752/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
We used a rough cockpit to set out Andy's seating position and the position of all the switches etc...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8463/8414755142_16a18e5117_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8414755142/)
btc-8028 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8414755142/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
... and that's now been replaced with the beautiful monocoque itself...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8103/8554240795_f3ef93a82b_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8554240795/)
mono-9721 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8554240795/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
In January we travelled up to Castle Engineering in Glasgow to assemble the runway test wheels. Castle will also be making the solid aluminium desert wheels. The tyres for the runway wheels are from a Lightning jet! (original stock - tested fine)...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8495/8413130525_6c04b6419c_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8413130525/)
Castle-7925 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8413130525/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
The show car has been touring the country - hopefully getting youngsters excited about the project. I thought it looked particularly good under Concorde's wing at the Fleet Air Arm museum...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8107/8498464808_cab65a434e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8498464808/)
FAA-8964 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8498464808/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
Suddenly it doesn't look so big any more...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/8497360703_20139d5f3e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8497360703/)
FAA-8944 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8497360703/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
I'll leave you with a quick sketch of the Cosworth CA2010. Hope you enjoy the photos - now that things are in full swing there should be lots more to follow. All the best, Stefan...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8540591434_1f25f7fce2_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8540591434/)
Cosworth CA2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8540591434/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
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Thanks for that Stephan. :cheers:
Click on any pic to go to photostream people.
Sid.
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Great stuff, thanks very much :-D
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Great coverage Stephan. Thanks for posting. I'll look forward to further updates. :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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that's quite a piece of work.
I may have missed something --
is the cosworth going to power the fuel pump for the rocket ?
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Thanks for the nice comments!
Saltwheels - not a fuel pump as such - it'll pump the High Test Peroxide(HTP) which is the oxidiser for the hybrid rocket. We have 1000L tank of it - which the pump will empty it in 20 seconds. The HTP is forced through a silver mesh catalyst at which point it turns into super-heated steam. The steam then ignites the fuel which is a rubber lining in the rocket tube.
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geez. that's really way over my head.
other than you have about 265 gallons of htp.
that thing should fly.
but, keep it on the ground.
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Bloody Nora!! :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o :-o
I finally had enough time to come back & go through the whole picture gallery. I knew it was going to be nice but WOW is obsolete here!
What is the budget on this & who is funding it?
Sid.
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Haha, glad you liked the photos Sid! I don't know what the final cost will be - but Richard often mentions how it's lower than what an average F1 team spends in a season. With it being an educational project (and over 5000 schools along for the ride so far) we can't afford to cut corners - we have to do it properly and above all safely so that the future engineers watching can see how you design and build something this complicated - whether it be an F1 car or fighter jet etc. It's all privately funded with a host of sponsors. A lot of the sponsors are using us a way of promoting their own educational/careers messages and also using the project as a team building exercise - with their employees becoming ambassadors and the company hosting STEM open days etc.
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From this end you can see the hole for the rocket. It's probably worth pointing out that the car can be split into two halves - with the top half housing the EJ200 jet and the lower half the rocket assembly...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8471463396_c902b01ec9_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8471463396/)
Thanks for the update and photos Stefan.
At first glance I thought this bloke looks familiar. Is Adrian Newey lending his expertise on the project by any chance? :-D
Hey, BTW,,.. I enjoyed your article in the 30th Anniversary edition of The Automobile.
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Thanks Ivan! Glad you liked the Fiat article - i ought to do an update here - it was after all a LSR car too. It's looking pretty impressive now the bodywork is almost done.
Not noticed Tufty's Newey similarity before (sideburns are too big) He might have worked for him though - most of the people doing the assembly have F1 backgrounds and it's great to hear all the inside gossip. I'll be adding some more photos shortly - it's been a productive few days.
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Thanks Ivan! Glad you liked the Fiat article - i ought to do an update here - it was after all a LSR car too. It's looking pretty impressive now the bodywork is almost done.
Stefan, I am eagerly awaiting the day the beast is finished. I'm just dissapointed that I will never have the chance to see it in person, unless this weeks Powerball numbers come up. Please start a thread as i'm sure the fine folks here wouldn't mind seeing how it was done a century earlier.
For now, i'll blantantly point some traffic towards Davids' house for those who may never have seen the original or the recreation.
http://theoldmotor.com/?=fiat-s76
- most of the people doing the assembly have F1 backgrounds and it's great to hear all the inside gossip.
Got any juicy stories?? I promise, i'll keep it quiet. :wink:
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There was quite a funny conversation about the heaviest parts they'd designed to go on an F1 car - presumably to bring the car up to minimum weight with as low a C of G as possible. They were using some very strange metals like Osmium!
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Here's a couple of recent photos. The parts for the lower chassis have returned after being painted and coated. They're now being assembled with glue and rivets. The glue will be cured when the entire assembly is put into a large autoclave/oven...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8662482327_c88f6910c6_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8662482327/)
chassis-0487-2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8662482327/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
The cabling for the lower chassis (2.2km of it) has also arrived!
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8663578074_7fce0e42c9_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8663578074/)
cables-0485 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8663578074/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
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It's my hope that somebody other than Lucas was contracted for the wiring loom . . . :wink:
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Your build diary is marvelous.
THANK YOU.
FREUD
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It's my hope that somebody other than Lucas was contracted for the wiring loom . . . :wink:
Now you did Midget ... Let the Lucas jokes begin.
Joe
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I did notice the Lucas name on some of the jet engine parts - I'm hoping their aerospace division has a better reputation!
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Ahh yes LUCAS i remember that guy. I think he was called THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS.
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or old smokey
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Great photos Stefan. The wiring loom was made by DC Electronics and will be baked inside the chassis when it goes into the autoclave at the end of the month.
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That ought to make it easy to modify if needed.
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"...That ought to make it easy to modify if needed..."
That is, easy to modify the harness as long as it's painted bright yellow. :evil: :evil:
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Quick update on the latest news - Rolls-Royce have officially come on board as a sponsor - they'll be helping with the EJ200 jet and financially but they're particularly excited by the educational aspect as they're very keen to attract young engineers and to showcase their work - they're providing quite a large chunk of our education ambassadors now. As for big noisy stuff I have a few photos of the show car in the Rolls-Royce atrium and the EJ200 jet being tested (with afterburners on) Very exciting to get to see events like this - I definitely have the best job...
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/8736864175_40e4ba88c8_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8736864175/)
RR-1124-2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8736864175/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/8737985528_b79b75df74_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8737985528/)
RR-1104-2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8737985528/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8662091929_2f81d69cf3_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8662091929/)
RR (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8662091929/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8662091943_6d0d3a5267_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8662091943/)
RR-0440 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8662091943/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8663189400_3c99f39edb_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8663189400/)
RR-0325 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8663189400/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
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Man, I have to get one of those for my car. :-D
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Just realised I never posted the finished lower chassis! Here's a quick sketch done just before the final skins went on...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8695493497_6cb4ddfc65_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8695493497/)
Bloodhound SSC lower chassis (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8695493497/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
Here it is just after the last rivet went in with the chaps enjoying a well deserved ice-cream...
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8553/8703989387_6a39e09680_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8703989387/)
BTC-0851 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8703989387/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
The next step was 8 hours (@80ºC) in an autoclave to cure the glue (which comes in tape form)...
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/8717236775_6ff67191c7_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8717236775/)
NCC (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8717236775/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
And here it is - the first piece to go on the engineering plate in our new premises (we ran out of space in the old one). You should be able to see the access holes on the inside of the sills - should any cables need to be repaired within them...
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/8725844894_698b29eb9b_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8725844894/)
BTC2-1022 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8725844894/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
Meanwhile, the canopy and hatch have arrived for the monocoque...
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/8724727539_94e8ac06a1_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8724727539/)
BTC2-1040 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8724727539/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
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Man, I have to get one of those for my car. :-D
Just one? A pair would be nice :)
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Not greedy. Love the photos of the build.
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Okay, I'll ask. In the b/w photo of the engine being run -- what's the stream of smoke/water/whatever being emitted by the little tub at the front of the photo and into the tunnel? I doubt that it's a smoke trail to look for bumps in the aero, and if it's cooling water -- why not all around the engine?
Otherwise -- geez, what a project. Thanks for the photos and updates. We're all watching - with interest and fascination.
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I would guess “bleed air”.
What a machine! Please, keep the posts coming. :cheers:
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Okay, I'll ask. In the b/w photo of the engine being run -- what's the stream of smoke/water/whatever being emitted by the little tub at the front of the photo and into the tunnel? I doubt that it's a smoke trail to look for bumps in the aero, and if it's cooling water -- why not all around the engine?
Just checked with Joe the engineer who's working on the control box for the jet - here's the answer...
The engine has an oil system for lubrication. The oil its self as it passes round the engine becomes aerated, these bubbles of air need to be removed for correct function of the lubrication system. That pipe is the air that gets removed from the oil and dumped overboard, however the air removed also contains small amounts of oil in it, this is what gives it its colour.
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If you have a few spare hours, don't forget to check out the full set of pictures. 600 so far.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/sets/72157627819481179/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/sets/72157627819481179/)
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If you have a few spare hours, don't forget to check out the full set of pictures. 600 so far.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/sets/72157627819481179/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/sets/72157627819481179/)
If that ain't enough for you, just thumb through his work on his site.
http://www.stefanmarjoram.com/
Stefan, not only do you have the coolest job on the planet, you're damned good at it. :cheers:
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That's jolly nice of you to say so - thanks very much!
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There was quite a funny conversation about the heaviest parts they'd designed to go on an F1 car - presumably to bring the car up to minimum weight with as low a C of G as possible. They were using some very strange metals like Osmium!
Ah yes!
I think i heard a remark regarding Osmium made by Martin Brundle years ago whilst watching coverage of the Formula 1. I wonder what purpose it is/was intended for on an F1 car or did some teams decide to venture into the fountain pen market. Adrian Newey is forever playing with a pen during a race. Just wondering..
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Last week I was treated to one of the most fascinating days of my life. I was at Otto Fuchs - the metal forging company famous for it's Porsche wheels. They're also forging the aluminium 'cheeses' which when machined will become the wheels for the Bloodhound SSC car. They need to be massively strong - forging rearranges the crystal structure of the metal - giving it a sort of 'grain' which prevents the item shattering should it get damaged. After my week of blacksmithing last year it was fascinating to see forging on such a massive scale. The hammers are huge (some are 30,000tonne) - extending just as far beneath the floor as they do above. The tongs are mounted on a truck - which the operator manipulates very skilfully. The hammer and anvil parts have burners inside to prevent them cooling the metal. The billet itself was heated up to 390ºC. After seeing several wheel blanks being made we were treated to an extraordinary tour of the factory - which was the size of a small town!
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/8890917709_e93fc72d07_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8890917709/)
_FUCHS-1679 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8890917709/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5465/8890937249_93f75a38cd_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8890937249/)
_FUCHS-0692 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/8890937249/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
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It's an art form as old as modern civilization - A man, a fire, and metal, heated and pounded to the point of compliance. Technology makes it safer and more efficient, but forging metal remains, both symbolically and viscerally, one of the most intriguing things humans do, or have ever done.
As always, Stefan - great photos.
You should join us at Speedweek - bill it out as research . . .
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I wish I could have made it to Speedweek - it's top of my list of places to visit. We did have a fun few days at the Festival of Speed though and I got to see Campbell's amazing 300mph car for the first time...
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/9314005726_fa0c09fcb6_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/9314005726/)
FoS13-4082 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/9314005726/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
Meanwhile work on Bloodhound continues - mainly assembling the central 'trellis' section. This joins the upper and lower chassis and also features access panels for maintenance etc. Here we're also test fitting the top chassis frames which will house the jet and the air intake too...
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/9621977992_cd3c51f272_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/9621977992/)
btc2-5487 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/9621977992/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
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78 years on, and Bluebird still remains a touchstone. :cheers:
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A few exciting things going on in the Bloodhound workshop at the moment. The upper chassis (which houses the jet) has been separated from the lower (for the rocket) and mounted on the assembly fixture.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/10344999004_d3f4fd01a9_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/10344999004/)
btc2-6901 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/10344999004/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
The titanium stringers have been test-fitted to it. Once everything has been painted/coated the titanium skins will be shaped and the riveting can begin again…
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/10743138225_3a3d8d1df2_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/10743138225/)
team-7346 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/10743138225/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/10966306555_fb10c3d3d2_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/10966306555/)
Bloodhound SSC - upper chassis (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/10966306555/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
The large components for the rear subframe have also arrived. This is what the rear wheels (and all the associated suspension parts) will be attached to…
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/10691436914_97b2d005c1_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/10691436914/)
btc2-7268 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/10691436914/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
Here's the workshop and EJ200 after everyone's gone home…
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/10691397295_4352def04d_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/10691397295/)
btc2-7273 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/10691397295/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/10966559083_c53fdae1d5_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/10966559083/)
Bloodhound SSC - EJ200 Jet (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/10966559083/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
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The better to see you my child.
FREUD
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Great pictures, thanks for posting the update :cheers: Dean
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This is serious. :cheers:
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Stefan
you make that metal dragon breathe fire before it has lungs. . . .
so VERY well done.
LSL
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See www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25426419 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25426419) There is bloodhound info there.
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Happy New Year! This should be an exciting one for the Bloodhound team - there are already some very interesting large components arriving in the workshop. Here's a few recent photos. First, the main parts of the car temporarily assembled - the upper chassis has been removed again now so that the titanium skinning can begin…
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5494/11205793854_6dd114568f_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/11205793854/)
Bloodhound SSC Side (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/11205793854/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
Work will soon begin on the front subframe. A beautiful and complex piece which incorporates the steering and suspension for the front wheels. Here is one of the aluminium uprights. It's hard to grasp the size so I've included a pen…
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/11821430913_0cbaa59a3f_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/11821430913/)
btc2-9143 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/11821430913/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/11821157395_efb946b3eb_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/11821157395/)
btc2-9100 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/11821157395/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/11821569784_1d67bbd48e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/11821569784/)
btc2-9138 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/11821569784/) by Stefan Marjoram (http://www.flickr.com/people/stefanmarjoram/), on Flickr
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March 2014 issue of Popular Mechanics has a great article on the Bloodhound project. Build your own 1000 mph car in 12 "easy" steps! :-o
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March 2014 issue of Popular Mechanics has a great article on the Bloodhound project. Build your own 1000 mph car in 12 "easy" steps! :-o
And the value of each of those step is ................ $2 million ........... or ............ $3 million ........... or $ 4 million .................
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Last I heard, the budget is estimated to be $50,000,000.00.
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Ed, If they only use 98% would you take the what's left on the table. :-D
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I sort of prositutes so the answer is YES!
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Zounds!
There has been GREAT progress since I was at the workshop late October! The drivers compartment has really taken shape - not the empty shell I sat in . . . , give the fabrication crew my best with a special spin of the wrench to Chris Dee.
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What I really like is the photography... Yes the car is an immaculate piece; the pictures of the components add that little extra to this top notch effort, just a different way to capture the beauty. If they did raise that amount of cash kudos to the marketing efforts of the team. They sure know how to market, gain momentum and keep it going to see a project through. You must love that type of dedication, even if its the most expensive machine made to capture the record there is some elegance in that too.
Jon
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There have been some great salesmen in this game over the years like Campbell, Breedlove & others but Richard Nobel makes them all look like trainee's.
Sid.
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Salesman - that was Richards profession for a while in a different area of interest, until the 70's and Thrust I
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An interesting article about the bloodhound that might have use for us slower folks. www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27184754 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27184754)
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https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fastest-car-on-the-planet-set-for-testing-in-2015-video/
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Thanks very much for the kind comments about the photography - I'm incredibly lucky to have the job of recording this beautiful machine coming together - I'm glad the pictures seem to be doing it justice! The car is at that stage where it seems to get put together and taken apart again almost weekly but along the way we've reached some important milestones...
The upper chassis is skinned (with titanium) and ready for paint, glue and final riveting...
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3882/14224654228_21e6359d38_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nEZ587)btc2-3107 (https://flic.kr/p/nEZ587) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2907/14410112174_61844494bf_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nXnAiU)btc2-3194 (https://flic.kr/p/nXnAiU) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5584/14224654488_ccc0c3a195_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nEZ5cA)btc2-2193 (https://flic.kr/p/nEZ5cA) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr
Here's the opening for the air-brakes...
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5159/14056916439_1678eb5ff0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nqanwg)btc2-1375 (https://flic.kr/p/nqanwg) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr
The intricate 'goat's head' has arrived from machining. These four pieces of forged aluminium form the bulk of the front subframe - to which the suspension and wheels will attach...
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2897/14071217252_a522d46978_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nrqEE1)btc2-1647 (https://flic.kr/p/nrqEE1) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr
Andy has had his seat made and the cockpit is pretty much complete too...
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2897/14345325244_e9032e8fa9_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nRDxpS)btc2-2776-2 (https://flic.kr/p/nRDxpS) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/14248454348_7fc0d7ac3d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nH6451)BLOODHOUND SSC Cockpit (https://flic.kr/p/nH6451) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr
There's an annotated 360º view of the cockpit too... http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/cockpit360 (http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/cockpit360)
Off site we've been spin testing the desert wheels to 10,400 rpm (which is approx 170 times a second and a force of 50,000G at the rim!) and testing the wheel brakes. You'll find some short films on these and lots of other subjects on the Bloodhound website...
http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/bloodhound-tv (http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/bloodhound-tv)
... and loads more photos in my gallery...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/sets/72157627819481179/
Hope you enjoyed the update!
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...and I thought I had a lot of Clecos!
Really first- class work on this project. Good luck, Andy.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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I think there's about 9,000 in the upper chassis :)
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I think there's about 9,000 in the upper chassis :)
I doubt there are 9,000 in the entire state of Wisconsin . . . :-D
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Stefan - talk to Chris about those rivets, we had a chat about how many and the guys worked it out that there were a little more than 10,000. however, that was in October 2013, so there may have been some "slimming" done since then.
Just love your imagery. SOOOOOO very glad the project has you as it "visual historian" you grasp of the complex nature of the work and how to share it allows so many more people to truly understand the magnitude of this milestone in land speed racing. Next time I come over, we're going for a pint!
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A short video about the wheels www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-28737132 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-28737132)
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Another news article about the project...www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29380455 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29380455)
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Lots of exciting things going on in the workshop recently. The upper chassis has been dismantled and painted ready for final assembly. We've had plenty of visitors - including Prince Philip who seemed to really enjoy chatting to the engineers. Also Pete Taylor - part of the Aussie Invader team - great to meet up with our competitors from the other side of the world...
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3889/15164240537_20538f7eed_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/p71Gp4)pete-6657 (https://flic.kr/p/p71Gp4) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people/93789798@N00/), on Flickr
The lower chassis is gradually getting filled with air brake workings, hydraulics, fuel tanks and jet engine ancillaries...
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3839/15164152118_61e8b59fc0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/p71f7A)btc2-6631 (https://flic.kr/p/p71f7A) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people/93789798@N00/), on Flickr
After that it was time to see if there was still room for the EJ200 jet...
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2945/15411386815_ca9eee3b0d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ptRonM)ej test fit-6910 (https://flic.kr/p/ptRonM) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people/93789798@N00/), on Flickr
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2943/15411386025_edb126e31b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ptRo9a)ej test fit-6941 (https://flic.kr/p/ptRo9a) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people/93789798@N00/), on Flickr
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3928/15388341336_836860ffeb_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/prPgKW)ej test fit-7043 (https://flic.kr/p/prPgKW) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people/93789798@N00/), on Flickr
The upper chassis ribs were put in position too. It gives a fantastic idea of how the finished car will look...
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/15417121161_4011aa0b96_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pumLZP)btc2-7321 (https://flic.kr/p/pumLZP) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people/93789798@N00/), on Flickr
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2949/15397253626_252d6decfe_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/psAX57)btc2-7319 (https://flic.kr/p/psAX57) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people/93789798@N00/), on Flickr
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More pictures of Bloodhound SSC in build and the latest Bloodhound SSC Open Day available on the Speed Record Club's Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.918117081551337.1073741856.359703307392720&type=1
Phil
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Here's on more of the EJ200 with fancy lighting...
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/15455158761_899bdb3eae_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pxHJfv)Jet Fit -7120 (https://flic.kr/p/pxHJfv) by Stefan Marjoram (https://www.flickr.com/people/93789798@N00/), on Flickr
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An article about the equipment suppliers, including Jaguar. www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30367591 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30367591)
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It's alive and running.
Not sure about the wheels though.
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Okay, Mike -- where's the video of a run? :-D
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An article discussing how the car is put together www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-31097267 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-31097267)
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Seems they have run into some issues regarding the upper rear structure. http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-31097267
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LSR fans might like this video UK motoring journalist Chris Harris made about the BLOODHOUND build. He also went for a flight with Andy, to experience the g forces of a 1,000mph run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4AyytkpiB0
Enjoy!
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Great video. Thanks.
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This is another article about the wheels www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-31845234 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-31845234)
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We went through the same processes a few years back. We utilize radial forged 7075-T6 aluminum rather than 7037. Our forgings were done by Precision Aluminum Products in Santa Ana. We recently had our wheels xray'd to check on the integrity after making about 20 runs on them. Good news, we were given a clean bill of health.
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I got this release from Jules Tipler and thought it of enough general interest to post it for all. If you want to go to see the car run -- there's contact information at the bottom of the post. Jon a/k/a SSS
Register to see BLOODHOUND SSC run in South Africa
In September 2015, The BLOODHOUND Project will travel to South Africa to begin its campaign to set a new World Land Speed Record. Our team will be based at Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape, for up to three months as we work towards our target for 2015: 800mph (1 200km/h).
Hakskeen Pan is in the Kalahari Desert, (see map) approximately three hours by road from Upington and 12 hours + from Johannesburg. There are internal flights connecting the two, as well as from Cape Town.
Accommodation in this remote location will be limited so advanced booking is essential. Access to the event and media facilities will also be tightly controlled, so media wishing to join us should register their interest here.
We will then contact you with information about accommodation, travel, access and accreditation.
We look forward to hearing from you,
Best wishes,
The BLOODHOUND Team
For more information, interviews, imagery and videos contact
UK: Jules Tipler jules.tipler@mettlepr.com / +44 (0) 7811 166 796
SA: Schalk Mouton schalk.mouton@mettlepr.com / +27 82 739 9637
Notes to Editors
The world land speed record of 763 mph is held by Thrust SSC, a UK team led by BLOODHOUND’s Project Director Richard Noble and driven by Andy Green.
The BLOODHOUND team scoured the globe to find the perfect desert to run the car on, it needed to be at least 12 miles (19km) long, two miles (3km) wide and perfectly flat.
The Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape, South Africa was selected. At full speed BLOODHOUND SSC will cover a mile (1.6km) in 3.6 seconds, that’s 4.5 football pitches laid end to end per second.
BLOODHOUND has three power plants, a Rolls-Royce EJ200 jet from a Eurofighter Typhoon, a cluster of Nammo hybrid rockets and a 550 bhp Supercharged Jaguar V8 engine that drives the rocket oxidiser pump. Between them they generate 135,000 thrust hp, equivalent to 180 F1 cars.
BLOODHOUND SSC is currently being assembled at the BLOODHOUND Technical Centre in Bristol, UK. It is on schedule for roll out summer 2015 where it will undergo UK runway testing up to 200 mph (321 km/h) at the Aerohub, Newquay. The Team will then deploy to South Africa to begin high speed testing with the target of reaching 800 mph (1,287 km/h). The Team will return to the UK to review the data and return to South Africa in 2016 with the aim of reaching 1,000 mph (1,609 km/h)
Over 280 global companies, 200 of them SMEs, are involved in the Project, which has become a showcase for science and engineering capability.
Over 5,700 UK primary and secondary schools have signed up to use the free BLOODHOUND Education resources in their classrooms
The educational outreach programme also runs in South Africa with more than 800 schools already participating and more than 100 BLOODHOUND Ambassadors signed up to help use the project to inspire young people about studying maths and science. The programme reaches out to schools across the country, but particularly in the Northern Cape Province, home to the track where the BLOODHOUND SSC will run.
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Meanwhile, the North American Eagle has received a permit allowing us to run at the Alvord Desert, Sept 20 to Oct 3. We were turned down by the
BLM for Aprill/May runs. With little support from our fellow Americans and our government, we are certainly the Seabiscuit vs War Admiral of modern
times. We're pressing on anyway!!!
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Wow, Ed. Things are looking good. That F104 car is made in the hot rodder's tradition of simple is best.
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The Bloodhound project is expected to run in in SA during 2016, a year later than expected. See www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33110292 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33110292)
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An interesting article about the bloodhound aerodynamics. It is controlled more like a plane than a car at high speeds.www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33084088 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33084088)
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Thats something we discussed back when Craig Breedlove fell over, it would be better to fly it on the ground than steering it.
Sid.
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The vertical stabilizer build and test is the same stuff we did with the NAE several years ago.
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Strain gages are on critical parts of the bloodhound and they are rigged to warning lights in the cockpit. An overstressed part will give some warning before it fails. Details are at www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33428405 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33428405)
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Hopefully.
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The Bloodhound is almost through with being built and now the operating systems are installed. The underbelly is protected by titanium. www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33646605 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33646605)
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A British team is developing a car that will be capable of reaching 1,000mph.
No disrespect but "car" really gets to me.
Define car and I'm not asking Bo?.
Vehicle might be a better description but I'm a dumb hick from Africa. :cheers:
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A British team is developing a car that will be capable of reaching 1,000mph.
No disrespect but "car" really gets to me.
Define car and I'm not asking Bo?.
Vehicle might be a better description but I'm a dumb hick from Africa. :cheers:
In the language of the FIA it's a Special Automobile, defined as:
Vehicles on at least four wheels which are propelled otherwise than through their wheels.
Wonderfully simple. Almost no restrictions on the designer's imagination.
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The FIA in 2014 changed the naming from Special Vehicles to "Special Automobiles". As the current Records Commission is headed by an American I assume that the written language was chosen to avoid any doubt as to what is an Automobile.
You find Automobiles in Catogory A and B. BLOODHOUND SSC is in Category C and will have its own sub-division as it has both jet power and rockets. Until then the divisions which have set records are jets or rockets. There is as yet no sub-sub-division for having one or two jets, (or indeed one or two rockets).
It is the media that describe anything with four wheels as a car, much as anything else to them has to be a motorcycle.
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If you are not a pedant you might want to skip this post. :evil:
The FIA also define an Automobile as:
Vehicle running in constant contact with the ground (or ice) on at least four non‐aligned wheels, of which at least two are used for steering and at least two for propulsion; the propulsion and steering of which are constantly and entirely controlled by a Driver on board the vehicle (other terms including but not limited to car, truck, and kart may be used interchangeably with Automobile, as appropriate within types of competition).
The problem with this is that a Special Automobile is not defined to be a type of Automobile; in fact it specifically is not a subset of Automobile. Since the definitions of Absolute World Record and Outright World Record only mention Automobiles (and not Special Automobiles), it is not logically possible for a Special Automobile to set an Absolute World Record or the Outright World Record.
I know this is not the intended interpretation but it is what the words in the rule book say. When we discussed this in 2014 there was a view that the definitions would be modified in 2015, but it hasn't happened.
:dhorse: :dhorse: :dhorse: :dhorse: :dhorse:
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Now you can see TrickyDicky why the US racers mostly consider the FIA as being an F1 organisation headed by Bernie - with no interest in LSR.
Shows me, that changing one word in part of your rules can have a massive knock on effect. [Vehicles now = automobiles].
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Since we're being pedantic, the FIA is currently headed by Jean Todt and formerly by Max Mosley, who some think was merely Mr. E's puppet in the role.
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This is an in-depth article about the Haskeen Pan surface and the car's suspension. Some of this might apply to Bonneville. www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34200629 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34200629)
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Stay tuned for lots of BLOODHOUND SSC pictures as the real car in 'cutaway' form has gone on show in London for a few days.
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New picture and short article on Drag Racing Online (Agent 1320). I don't know how to post pictures so maybe Mike or someone else can do the deed...
One Run, out......................................
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34341017
Some pics from formal launch here.
Robin
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Some more pictures from the launch. www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34453578 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34453578)
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Two more articles on the bloodhound. One is about how they start the vehicle. It is a big project to light up the engine.
www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34832669 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34832669) and www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-34799335 (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-34799335)
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An interesting part of the Bloodhound is its rockets. www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35011505 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35011505)
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Hopefully.
Agreed. At 1,400 + feet per second...The ol` barn door/horse analogy comes to mind.
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A summary of the car's progress last year www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35234317 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35234317)
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No disrespect here but you guys haven't factored in one item.
AFRICA!!! This place doesn't just hand out easy stuff. You'll pay Big Time!!!!. :cheers:
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No disrespect here but you guys haven't factored in one item.
AFRICA!!! This place doesn't just hand out easy stuff. You'll pay Big Time!!!!. :cheers:
Eh? What do you think the Bloodhound team are missing?
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This diary entry shows how satellites are used to check on the lake condition. www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35715127 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35715127)
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The expected difficulties with driving the Bloodhound are mentioned in this article www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36036180 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36036180)
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The Bloodhound had some funding issues that are resolved. This topic and future plans are in this current article [url]www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36579578[url]
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www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36579578 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36579578)
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With funding in place, the BloodhoundSSC team have now announced dates for the first phase of the push to 1,000mph. Phase one targets 800mph in order to collect real data at that speed and beat the existing record. Unless they progress very quickly after arriving at Hakskeen, or the NAE team get there first, looks like ThrustSSC might yet be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the world's first supersonic record.
http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/news/bloodhound-supersonic-first-record-attempt-october-2017
Robin
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There is a treat article in the latest issue of "RacecarEngineering" by Dr. Ayres on the aero for the Blood Hound car. Worth buying the mag or reading on line.
Rex
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I read somewhere yesterday that Bloodhound now has some new (extra ? ) financial backing from an Asian company called Geely. This puts them back in the position to be on track for next years runs at the Hakskeen Pan.
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Perhaps you saw this release:
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f537f9e057bd78cf654a95a1e&id=17c0111937&e=bc78ac7b92
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I read somewhere yesterday that Bloodhound now has some new (extra ? ) financial backing from an Asian company called Geely. This puts them back in the position to be on track for next years runs at the Hakskeen Pan.
The timetable seems to have slipped about 12 months in a year. :cry: About this time last year they were suggesting they might go for the record on 15 October 2016 (a neat anniversary). Now aiming for October 2017.
From a personal perspective I like the delay. Hoping to arrange a holiday in South Africa to coincide with the record attempt, and couldn't have made it this year.
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Yes cash flow constraints meant the engineering side of the project slowed to a crawl, however, the education side of things has cranked up a gear. Some 120k kids built and raced model rocket cars last year.
The new Geely support gets us 70% of the way to an 800mph record next year.
JT
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I think it was an excerpt from that release that I had read Slim. I have now read the rest of the page and will probably go back through a few more of their releases.
"BLOODHOUND will decelerate from 1,000mph (1,600km/h) at 3G, equivalent to slowing from 60mph (100km/h) to standstill in 1 second." that is quite like hitting traffic on the M25 over here, if anyone is familiar with it they'll no what I mean.
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An infusion if Chinese money and technology is helping the Bloodhound project and some other updates www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37642255 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37642255)
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An article about the Bloodhound progress with an emphasis on Haskeen Pan www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37913750 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37913750)
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This seems like a familiar problem for many of us lately...www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39379499 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39379499)
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This seems like a familiar problem for many of us lately...www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39379499 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39379499)
The article flagged by wobbly will presumably have been based on the following (taken from the Bloodhound web site). The latest delay means the NAE team probably have at least two more summers to set a record.
An Update on Timings
Thursday, 23 March, 2017
Our goal this year is to test BLOODHOUND SSC on the runway at Newquay Aerohub. We will announce the target date in due course but it will follow-on from static ‘tie-down’ tests of the EJ200 jet, installed in the car, which we hope to conduct this summer.
There is also further development work to be done on our monopropellant rocket as we have increased the power output required from it. This to provide an additional performance margin should the weight of the complete, fully fuelled car increase compared to earlier estimates. This can easily happen as a design that has evolved over many years makes its way from the virtual world of Computer Aided Design to the real world of the racetrack. The engineering team is choosing to be cautious now so we don’t lose time – or under-perform – when we’re in the desert.
As you may have seen from our earlier updates, here and on social media, Hakskeen Pan flooded in January and then again this month. Allowing for similar events next year, and building in time to make final preparations to the track, we expect our advance party to deploy to the Kalahari in summer 2018.
We will begin our first World Land Speed Record campaign in the second half of 2018.
A Note from Richard Noble, Project Director
It is frustrating to change our schedule again – we know everyone is excited about seeing the car run. We want that too but our pace of development has to be pegged to the flow of funding.
We enjoy terrific support from the public (34,800 of whom have now paid to put their name on the tail fin, for example) and have a strong track record when it comes to fundraising with major sponsors. Interest from big brands is, if anything, increasing as we get closer to running: we have recently agreed new partnerships with a global IT company and a leading fashion brand, which we look forward to announcing soon. A number of other substantial deals are also in negotiation.
While this is undoubtedly good news there is inevitably a time delay between pledges of support, contracts being signed and cash arriving. Anyone who runs their own business will be familiar with this and the need to be pragmatic when planning.
However, temporary delays do not change our direction of travel! 2017 will be a milestone year for The BLOODHOUND Project and we are determined to be out in South Africa, challenging records, next year.
We will keep you updated and continue to be grateful for the extraordinary enthusiasm and support shown by all our friends and followers around the world. We look forward to you being with us as we embark on the next and most exciting phase of this Engineering Adventure.
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An article about Bloodhound aero modeling. www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40221699 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40221699)
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A very interesting read.
Thanks for posting the link.
Ed
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Tickets to see Bloodhound run for the first time can be purchased here - https://bloodhoundssc.yourticketbooking.com/events/bloodhound
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You're charging folks to watch your test runs? We usually feed the spectators for free and don't charge anyone to watch..........different point of view!
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You're charging folks to watch your test runs? We usually feed the spectators for free and don't charge anyone to watch..........different point of view!
Yes, but I'll warrant you car hasn't cost £40m to date :-o
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Sounds like the sponsors need some lunch money. :-D
Sid.
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The Bloodhound will do some trial runs at an airport on the south coast. www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40632905 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40632905)
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The jet engine was fired up in south England. A cable restrained the vehicle.www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41446557 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41446557)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFquXyoeojQ
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The jet engine was fired up in south England. A cable restrained the vehicle.www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41446557 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41446557)
Kind of reminds me of Dick Keller's Blue Flame test at the Great Lakes Drag Strip. A post where Dick tethered the Blue Flame is still there. Not many remember why or what it was used for. Maybe Dick can give a little color to this?
John
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Glad to explain, John. We static tested The Blue Flame on the Great Lakes Dragaway drag strip in Union Grove, WI. A steel post was driven 12 feet into the ground at the far end of the track in the pit area. It is still there. Dr. Carl Uzgiris (IIT) fabricated the thrust (strain) gage and recorded the readings over two test sessions in August 1970. Because Goodyear imposed a 700 mi/h maximum “speed limit”, we had to detune the rocket from 22,000 lbf to 15,000 lbf. Some rocket system modifications were required after the first tests, then we were off on our Bonneville adventure.
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OK, Dick, so you de tuned the engine to keep the car under 700 mph. Why didn't you guys eventually return for a 700+ mph run? Sounds like the car had way more left in it. Was it a stability issue?
John
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Stability was never a problem with The Blue Flame. In fact, there was no tire wear at all due to directional stability. Straight as an arrow every time it ran. 24 runs. We had lost ownership of the car to the natural gas sponsor since we had defaulted on our original schedule to run in 1969. We had detuned the rocket from 22,000 lbf to 15,000 lbf for 1970. It would have been a simple modification to return to the design thrust. However, the sponsor was concerned that since we already had the records (630.388 mi/h kilometer and 622.407 mi/h mile) the supersonic attempt benefits would not exceed the risk. End of that story. A business decision. The kilometer record stood for 27 years – not too shabby. Still the fastest ever on the Bonneville Salt Flats. :cheers:
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What maximum speed did you reckon the Blue Flame could have achieved?
John
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The wheels and tires had been dynamically tested at 850 mi/h at Goodyear. So that would have been the practical maximum speed. We would have been targeting 800 mi/h for the kilometer and mile record speeds. The chassis had been designed structurally and wind-tunnel model tested (Ohio State University) well above that. I really wish we had tools like CFD back then. This was really still the sliderule era. Another change for the supersonic records would likely have been a refinement of the rear wheel attachment structure. We had begun to do that before the project was terminated. The exposed tubular struts were a compromise for time available. They solved a pitching issue, but a better drag solution was proposed for later.
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Too bad the Blue Flame project wasn't picked up by someone or some company to move it further along the development path. So much had already been learned that would require large sums of money to recreate. Not sure what Bloodhound will actually accomplish but if it fails to achieve, funding of this type for an absolute LSR record may not happen anytime soon.
John
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Funding for the absolute land speed record is still not beyond possibility. Like any effort requiring advanced technology, it requires a plan and a budget to attract sponsors. The Blue Flame had the American Gas Association pulling together more than 50 natural gas industry companies contributing to the land speed record effort. It also helps to be frugal in allocating the expenses. An example might be the "elaborate" pit area we maintained for almost 6 weeks at Bonneville. While we did use the old WW2 bomber hangar for a week while repairing the rocket, the roomy salt flats worked fine for us.
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Dick:
Maybe a couple of old 70 somethings can get Boone Pickens interested?
John
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It seems to be a modest effort the Brits have going.
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It seems to be a modest effort the Brits have going.
Indeed they have, SB. My comment was more of a joke than anything. I have enough on my plate developing a G/GL. Of course, a sponsor for that effort is most certainly welcome.
John
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5,000+ separate wires? Didn't these people ever hear of digital bus technology? :-o
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Today's article about the Bloodhound on BBC www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41635066 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41635066)
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The bloodhound is considered to be "operational." www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42141898 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42141898)
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An article about low frequency signal transmission for the Bloodhound. www.bbc.com/news/business-42337050 (http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42337050)
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An article about the wheels www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43007415 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43007415)
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The noise made by the vehicle is one of the article topics. www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43290177 (http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43290177)