The Blue Flame's 50th Anniversary

[tortoise]

Why weren't the rear wheels enclosed?

[MAYOMAN]

Testing in the transonic wind tunnel at Ohio State University we found the rear wheel fairings caused pitching instability. We tested several configurations before we decided on the design we built.

[floydjer]

Thanks Mr. K...Like Eric, I wonder how the steering was accomplished. Did the carriage the wheels were mounted in pivot at one end ? And how was it connected to the driver's compartment? And, Are there any photos from the cars construction? Those would be very interesting . Thank you, Jerry

[MAYOMAN]

I wish that I had better photos of the steering mechanism. It is a 4-bar linkage operated through a drag link from the steering wheel, which ran the length of the chassis, and operated a double bell crank to pivot the cradle holding the front wheels. I will have to send pictures in 2 messages due to size limitations.

[MAYOMAN]

Here is an image of the complete steering assembly. The steering link operates on the tab located between the 2 centering springs.

[floydjer]

The pics cleared that up nicely...Thanks. JB

[MAYOMAN]

The aerodynamics and the steering worked perfectly through all of our runs. The Blue Flame ran straight-arrow. There was no tire wear at all due to scrubbing - or anything. Too bad it snowed overnight October 23-24. We could have picked up another 20 to 30 mph with increased H2O2 percentage the next day. We gradually overcome all of our obstacles and finally got the job done.

[floydjer]

You gents did a fine job...Just curious, How far down course did the car roll before coming to a stop?

[MAYOMAN]

USAC-FIA laid out a 10 mile course on the salt flats running roughly from US40 (I-80) and northeast direction, toward floating mountain. Timing for both the mile and kilometer was between the 5-mile and 6-mile markers. The Blue Flame rocket was driven at full thrust with fuel exhausted at the mid-mile, then coasting through before deploying the braking parachutes. The peak speed during the 630.388mph record run was observed onboard at 660mph. We were obligated by Goodyear not to exceed 700mph in 1970. The car stopped by releasing a 7 feet diameter chute at 650mph and a 16 feet chute at 250mph. We stopped within 4 miles normally.

[floydjer]

Thank you...I see Amazon has your book in stock, I shall order a copy and quit bugging you😇...JB

[MAYOMAN]

Not bugging - it is history. I am fortunate to have much of the information in my archives. Glad to share. Since the car and rocket motor were scratch-built, there is a lot of design information not readily available for interested parties. Enjoy the book. Don't forget the Youtube videos as well.

[MAYOMAN]

If anyone is wanting to research The Blue Flame story, I have donated all of my records to the Marriott Library at the University of Utah Special Collections. The Summary and Biographical is full of my name because the collection is copyrighted at the US Patent Office. Marriott required the copyright to add to their archive. Being located in Salt Lake City, their collection of Bonneville information is amazing.

[WOODY@DDLLC]

Thanks Mr. Keller! 
I feel another day has been added to my annual Utah adventure!
Now we'll have some place to go when B'ville gets rained out!

[MAYOMAN]

Go fer it! That's all there is - there ain't no more!

[tallguy]

Trying to beat that dead horse to death! Here is a clearer image of that infamous Goodyear ad with Gary's name (and Gerard Brennan's) air brushed from the image.
I'll drop this subject for now. Just don't want any doubters.

I want to acknowledge the achievement of the Blue Flame's team.  I have immense respect for all the people who came together
to achieve the success of this project.  People deserve to be recognized for their impressive achievements.  This one stands out
to me, in part, because it was done in an impressively short period of time.