On Monday (23rd September) ThrustSSC made her first tentative steps along the runway at DRA, Farnborough (click here for the report of that day's testing. Approximately a third of the way down the runway on the first of the intended runs, the car was braked from 40mph to walking pace as planned, but all four wheels unexpectedly locked and the two front tyres burst. Driver Andy Green was able to bring the car safely to a stand, but Farnborough’s runway was blocked for some two hours while ThrustSSC was craned onto its trailer and returned to Q Shed.
The incident had its consequences, however. The scene: Grahame Wood’s Office in the Control Tower at Farnborough. Grahame is the Aerodrome Manager, Tony is responsible for Air Traffic Control: they are seated at Grahame’s table with Richard Noble - all faces are very long.
Grahame Wood: "When ThrustSSC’s tyres burst, Richard, your car blocked both our runways for two hours. We had to divert an important business flight to Odiham - the surprised VIPs had to be collected from there. There are costs and I can’t let it happen again. I must now insist that you have a crane on site all the time you run."
Richard Noble: (Gulp) "A crane on site for 8 hours every day is going to cost an enormous sum. Isn't there any other way?"
Grahame Wood: "We've looked at it every way - but I am sorry: we must have a means of removing SSC quickly if it becomes disabled again. You have to have a crane!"
Richard Noble: "We just don't have the money for this - can I ring Bev Bentley at Grayston White and Sparrow?". He picks up Grahame Wood's phone.
Bev Bentley (Director Grayston White and Sparrow): "Hello, Richard! Have you got the ramps finished for the SSC transporter yet?"
Richard Noble: "Er, Bev, I realise there have been an awful lot of lifts - but we will have the new ramps by the end of the week. Then we can put TSSC on the trailer without a crane."
Bev Bentley: "Thank God for that!"
Richard Noble: "Er, it wasn't that that I actually rang about!"
Bev Bentley: "I feel another crane coming on!"
Richard Noble: (explains Farnborough scenario) "… and we have to get the runs through by this weekend. Breedlove is already running at Bonneville. We've got to get to Jordan."
Bev Bentley: "And the moneys tight?"
Richard Noble: "Tighter than Hell - we have 25 working on the project and it’s a nightmare even to think of making it through to payday."
Bev Bentley: "I'll ring you back!"
5 minutes later the phone rings. Bev Bentley: "We realise you are in deep trouble. You've got your crane, Richard, for as long as you want it. We want you to pay a nominal daily sum and help with PR at some later stage. When do we start?"
Richard Noble: "Fantastic, Bev - can we start tomorrow? Thanks for digging us out!"
Bev Bentley: "Just get that supersonic record, Richard!" (Click…)
Grahame Wood: "Good God!!"
Despite the mishap and its consequences, the ThrustSSC Team were pleased with the way the car had performed on its short run. All four wheels were quickly removed and taken to Coventry for new tyres to be fitted on Tuesday - quick work ensuring that they arrived back late on the same day. This morning (Wednesday) the tyres were refitted, and the car was ready to venture out onto the runway again. Enquiries revealed that two late afternoon slots were available between incoming and outgoing flights - the tests could continue!
First things first. Once the car was ready, the team gathered in the conference room for the briefing - critically important for a safe test. Everyone was instructed as to their role, radio call signs and procedures reviewed, and the schedule explained in detail.
At 4 o’clock the jet-car was towed once more out of Q Shed towards ‘Alpha link’, the taxiway onto the end of the airfield’s main runway. Meanwhile the recovery team headed to ‘Point Golf’ - the other end of the runway - ready to receive the car at the end of its run. Needless to say, Grayston White and Sparrow were true to their word, and the crane was standing ready beneath the Tower!
Thrust SSC and the support vehicles stood by while a business jet took off - once that was safely in the air, permission was given to proceed to the concrete area at the end of the runway and take up position. The car was rolled out, and the air-starter brought up by the Merlo forklift.
As the team completed their preparations, word came of a light aircraft inbound to Farnborough. Sqn Ldr Jayne Millington in the Air Traffic Control Tower instructed the team to hold station at ‘Alpha’ while the ‘plane was brought in to land much further down the runway. Once it cleared the 1.1 mile long tarmac strip, the test runs could start!
The light aircraft landed and cleared the runway as planned, and the team set to work again. First the Palouste air-starter was fired up, then it was used to bring ThrustSSC’s twin Rolls-Royce Spey jet engines to life. It was 1655hrs local time.
"SSC ready to roll"
"SSC clear to run."
"SSC rolling!."
The massive supersonic jet-car eased forward through the still air, accelerating gradually to 40mph at 75% of maximum engine revolutions. This time the brake test was without incident as the car slowed to a crawl. Andy Green released the brakes and the speed quickly rose back to 40 again. A second brake test also went well, followed by another acceleration to 40mph. Finally ThrustSSC braked to a stop on the concrete at the end of ‘Two-Five’ and the engines were shut down.
"SSC stopped."
A pause, then: "SSC safe."
The recovery team now went into action, checking brake temperatures, and preparing the car for towing back down the runway. A Supacat and tow-dolly were brought up as Mechanical Designer Glynne Bowsher took his measurements, and Andy Green climbed out to write up his notes. The start team checked the runway for any foreign objects - or ‘FOD’.
The first run had been successful. Now for a second - this time accelerating to 70mph before braking - with a chase car on either side to observe. ThrustSSC was towed back to Alpha and prepared again. With just enough time before another aircraft was due into the airfield, the engines were started and clearance obtained to run.
"SSC rolling!"
At 1746hrs local time, with the sun now shining, Andy Green brought the Speys up to 80% of maximum revolutions and ThrustSSC forged ahead down the runway for the day’s second run. She accelerated briskly to 70mph, braked to walking pace while brake pressures and temperatures were observed, accelerated again to 40mph, then braked to a stand opposite the waiting recovery team with brake pressures and temperatures being observed once again.
Andy Green was delighted with his mount: "Excellent! The car handled really well - the rear-wheel steering is no problem to get used to. It’s very positive - it needs to be used very gently and smoothly. The suspension is very stiff and will be adjusted over the next few days to get the optimum setting for the runway.
"Throttle and brake performance were both excellent - the car was generally very easy to drive. The quality of the build work really shows!"
The team were very pleased with the test. Leigh Remfrey summed everyone’s feelings up: "Everything seemed to go very smoothly. It’s been a lovely day - everything went really well."
Project Leader Richard Noble was delighted with the professional approach to every task: "The teamwork is really good - it is all coming together so nicely!"
How did the car look in action? In the post test debrief Glynne Bowsher had an interesting perspective - he had been watching from one of the chase cars on the second run: "I have to say, she looked absolutely beautiful!"
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