Ask any member of the ThrustSSC Team what comprises a normal day on the project and you’ll probably get a confused look - such a thing just does not exist! It is turning out to be an extremely interesting week at DRA, Farnborough, as the prototype Eurofighter - among many other aircraft - is displayed to the watching crowds at the famous airshow. Tuesday 3rd September, however, was a very special day for ThrustSSC when the team were visited at their base in Q Shed by HRH Prince Michael of Kent.
The Prince has always shown a keen interest in the Project, and this was not his first visit - he did take the opportunity to see the car when it was at G Force’s workshops in Fontwell. Escorted by ThrustSSC Director and current holder of the World Land Speed Record, Richard Noble, he made his way around Q Shed meeting members of the team, discussing their roles, and studying work in progress on the car. Not even a Royal visit could stop their work!
Each member of the ThrustSSC in turn was introduced to Prince Michael who started his tour naturally enough at the car. There Andy Green discussed the challenges he would face in the driving seat and how he had been preparing himself for that task. ThrustSSC’s mechanical designer, Glynne Bowsher, showed the Prince the first of the solid aluminium front wheels which had been test-fitted in the car, while Jeremy Bliss, Vehicle Systems, described the hydraulic and electrical systems and how the computers would control the active suspension.
Mike Horne, who has produced all the bodywork for ThrustSSC, showed His Royal Highness the carbon-fibre engine air intakes with their intricately curved inner sections. Like everyone who has studied their complex profiles, he was obviously impressed with the skill that had gone into making them.
As a huge military helicopter flew directly overhead the Prince was introduced to Nick Dove who was working on parts of the hydraulic system on a bench in front of ThrustSSC. As Nick returned to his work, Al Harkness and Paul Remfry of the Engine Team discussed the superb Rolls-Royce Spey engines used in the car. I wonder how many people reflected on how long it had been since one of the F4 Phantom fighter-bomber’s that the engines had been built for had last displayed at the air show?
Robbie Kraike took a few moments away from his duties to chat with His Royal Highness about his days on Oberon and Upholder class submarines, and how he and his wife, Suzie, had delayed their round-the-world trip to spend the time on the ThrustSSC project.
Bill, one of the many volunteers who have helped the project out with their specialised skills, normally works on airliners for British Airways - he seems to spend all his spare time on ThrustSSC! He talked with Prince Michael about how he got involved with the project and the areas of the car that he has worked on.
Pete Ross, who has managed the build of the car, and who has become so adept at sourcing parts and equipment for the project - from nuts and bolts, to the incredibly adaptable Merlo forklift - and Marcia Alexander who has kept the administration side of the project so well organised, discussed their roles with Prince Michael, who then moved away from the car to meet those members of the team working elsewhere in the hangar.
Brian Palmer, Transport Manager, described how he had become involved with ThrustSSC through his employers, Plane Trucking, and talked about the transportation of the car and equipment around the country and the world with the team’s distinguished visitor.
The intense smell of curing composites did not put Prince Michael off from meeting Chris and Ian who were working hard to finish the new bellhousing for the full-reheat static engine tests. The need for the bellhousing was explained, as was its role in stabilising the flow of air into the engines.
Close by were Al, Robin and Doug who have nearly finished the car’s tailplane and who were able to discuss how it will be crucial for developing the downforce to keep the rear of the car firmly on the desert. With its carefully contoured edges and smooth faces, the tailplane will be subject to huge forces from the airflow over the car - the magnitude of those forces is reflected in the robust design and construction methods the team have been using.
Leigh Remfry has progressed to fitting out the Supacat support vehicles for their roles as mobile fuel bowsers and power generators for the car. As a lecturer in aerodynamics he was well able to converse with the Prince about the difficulties involved in running over land at transonic speeds and how ThrustSSC has been designed to overcome those difficulties.
All during the visit, the Internet Team’s Jeremy Davey had followed Richard Noble and Prince Michael around Q Shed with the Canon digital camera. With everyone on the project working hard there is little time for anyone to take any photographs - one of Jeremy’s roles is to get pictures for both the Internet and the team members’ own enjoyment. Finally he was able to hand the camera over to Leigh Remfry, meet Prince Michael, and discuss how thousands of people around the world are following the project on the Internet. As least, he tried to - the Eurofighter seemed determined to make conversation difficult as it pulled reheated vertical climbs over Q Shed...
 |
 |
 |
||
| Sponsored by | This site best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 | |||
 |
 |
 |
||