Thank you Hull Model Boat Club

Having had a disastrous 2011 with my flash steam hydroplane it was with the help of Tom Clement, Dave Singleton and members of the Hull Club plus a future flash steam addict who became my chief mechanic for the day that made it possible for me to achieve my personal fastest recorded speed.

On a perfect day with no ripples on the water the steamer shot off and recorded over 5 laps 114.91mph.

Have to find another 8mph to catch record holder Bob Kirtley.

My remark before the next run was how do I make it go faster?

The flash steamer must have been listening because on the next run it was going faster until aerodynamics took over and it became a steam driven flying boat and crashed spectacularly.

A new narrow Dykes piston ring had been fitted for the previous Kingsbury meeting in which I never got a run through not being able to launch the hydro.

The ring must have got run in and released some more power?

The boat looked a mess after the aerobatics but with Freds help and a bit of wire to hold the generator it was all systems go.

An alteration to the prop angle to keep the front down at speed and we were ready for action.

Hydroplane hooked on to the catapult (bungee) and Dave holding it while the burners heated the generator then pressure release valve closed, boiler pressurised with the hand pump then starter cord pulled.

Everything roars into life, you feel the power building up and the prop fighting to be away.

Its released with a shove hoping that it’s got on to its sponsons otherwise it will not get far.

It’s going faster than my first run then aerodynamics takes over and its reach for the sky again.

A Hull club member has 4 video clips of the action on You tube Hull model boat club.

Like most speed sports and hobbies you watch it on film and it looks flat but see things in the flesh and it comes alive.

Having a life long interest in speed records having marshalled when Alf Hagon with the big V twin Jap and Tony Densham with Commuter broke records at Elvington plus many more record breakers got me addicted to models where speed was the aim.

Hope I haven’t bored you but I like people to know round the pole racing is alive and kicking and maybe get some new blood into the hobby.

Windy

Edited By Windy on 05/10/2011 09:08:31

Thank you for your kind comments.

If you find http://www.onthewire.co.uk they will keep you up to date on car and hydroplane events, contacts and history.

The tethered brigade has members from all walks of life some have been active participants in the full size competition scene.

There are some pictures in my album but will update them with the latest bent hydroplane ones.

Windy

A 14cc two-stroke uniflow with poppet valve steam inlet.

An en 24t crankshaft with cast iron piston running in a steel liner.

Inlet valve made from a good quality car exhaust valve.

The cam follower is stellite tipped.

Scotch crank drive to fuel and water pumps.

12 metres of stainless tubing for the generator with 3 burners.

There are other tweaks but everything must be made of quality material.

Will gladly help any body that is serious but its not instant success as there are many problems to solve.

Windy