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Speed Record Clubspeed on wheels, water and wingsJust for the Record - May 2008contents: Freefall World Record AttemptThe story about two men, both wanting to be the first to break the sound barrier unaided. Former SAS member and stunt man, Steve Truglia, and Frenchman Michel Fournier have separate plans to ascend to 120,000ft+ in a huge helium-filled balloon, and then jump out and freefall for over seven minutes in an attempt to travel from the edge of space at speeds of 700mph. More in Fast Facts issue 69. New Sled World Record
A new world landspeed
record has been set at
Holloman Air Force Base when a rocket
sled reached 6,589 mph as part of a test
conducted by the U.S. Navy.
“This world record is made possible by the world-class people and technology we have here at the Holloman High Speed Test Track,” said Lt. Col. Angie Suplisson, commander of 846th Test Squadron. “We do everything in-house here at the track, from design, drafting and fabrication of the sleds to rocket loading, target building and preparation, high-speed photography and data analysis. My team is the best in the world.” According to a Holloman news release, the record is 136 mph faster than the previous speed of Mach 8.6. More in Fast Facts issue 69. New Circumnavigation Record
Congratulations go to Francis Joyon who completed his singlehanded non-stop around the world voyage in a new record time of 57 days 13 hours 34 minutes and 6 seconds (subject to ratifications by the World Sailing Speed Record Council) on January 19th, 2008. As previously mentioned in FF, Francis was sailing a bigger boat than Ellen MacArthur, allowing more speed through the water. More in Fast Facts issue 69. Spitfire on four wheels
ALL THE WAY FROM AMERICA: First pictures of the sleeker Spitfire Special car and giant 21-litre Rolls-Royce aircraft engine, since its total renovation and improvement in America. It left its Worthing home for St Louis 50 years ago. Full story in Fast Facts issue 69. Record Breaking Boat Team Reunite
The original team of the world recordbreaking power boat, Miss Windermere VI, met up at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) for the boat’s retirement ceremony in October 2007. The propeller-driven hydroplane, which was developed by a team in Chorley, still holds the world speed record for its class – of 155 mph - and is the fastest boat in history on Lake Windermere. Driver Jim Noone, owner John Lee, and mechanic Mike Horn officially handed over Miss Windermere VI as a collection item for MOSI. More in Fast Facts issue 69. Tribute to Phil VincentHere is a link to the Philip Vincent centenary tribute site. The Cody Flyer
The Centenary of the first powered flight in Great Britain falls in October, 2008. Samuel. F. Cody flew his first Army Aeroplane No. 1A at Farnborough in Hampshire for a distance of 1390 feet on October 16th, 1908. This was Internationally recognised as the first official powered flight in Great Britain. In celebration of this event, the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) are building a full-scale, non-flying replica of this historic aircraft for display at celebrations to be held on the original site at Farnborough throughout 2008, and possibly at the Farnborough International Air Show in 2008. The project is to be known as the “Cody Flyer Project”. Check both the project website and the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) website for up to date project news and details on how to become a sponsor and/or a member of FAST. Also more in Fast Facts issue 69. Brian Ball passes awayA FORMER member of Thrust 2, the team that broke the World Land Speed Record, has died aged 75. Brian Ball designed the panels of Thrust 2, which driven by Richard Noble set the new record in the Black Rock desert of Nevada in 1983. Wife Jenny Ball said her husband had given a number of talks over the years to various groups about his time with the Thrust 2 team, which he was asked to join in 1981 and had enjoyed it immensely. “We all got involved in the team,” she said. “He also worked on the American contender after Thrust 2.” |
