Bloodhound LSR Thread As Requested...
Discussion
From a post she put on Facebook just after it happened:
While our speed run was faster than anything I have ever driven, it was a little off course. By the time I realized I was closer to the timing van than in between the timing lights where I should have been, I aborted mission and attempted to steer back onto course. With all the speed and a few systems not doing their job properly, I unfortunately ended up in the "pucker" bushes... with the 2 rear wheels still on the lakebed. I swear, not 40 feet before that shrubbery, I was still moving 100+ mph... whether it was God putting his hand on the car and literally stopping me dead in my tracks, and/or our amazing electromagnetic brakes kicking in to high efficiency at low RPM, the #northamericaneagle is ok, as am I. We are all a bit shaken up from the potentials of what could have happened, tho it wasn't worse, and we go back to the drawing board. #thatsracing #safetyfirst #thankgod #seeyousoon #gnarly #closecall #jetcar #wearenotdone I still have yet to become #fastestwomanonearth
While our speed run was faster than anything I have ever driven, it was a little off course. By the time I realized I was closer to the timing van than in between the timing lights where I should have been, I aborted mission and attempted to steer back onto course. With all the speed and a few systems not doing their job properly, I unfortunately ended up in the "pucker" bushes... with the 2 rear wheels still on the lakebed. I swear, not 40 feet before that shrubbery, I was still moving 100+ mph... whether it was God putting his hand on the car and literally stopping me dead in my tracks, and/or our amazing electromagnetic brakes kicking in to high efficiency at low RPM, the #northamericaneagle is ok, as am I. We are all a bit shaken up from the potentials of what could have happened, tho it wasn't worse, and we go back to the drawing board. #thatsracing #safetyfirst #thankgod #seeyousoon #gnarly #closecall #jetcar #wearenotdone I still have yet to become #fastestwomanonearth
Won't a conical nose like that direct a compression wave towards the front (presumably steerable) wheel? Miiiiight possibly cause one or two control issues, especially when the thrust which is normally pushing it into the ground is turned off. Thrust SSC's was asymmetrical and had the steering wheels at the back.
It is always a bit worrying when someone claims it was possibly God that got them out of a situation like that, it means the planning ran out. Personally, I think I'll rely on engineering and physics. I wish them well with safe journeys though, there's nothing like a bit of competition to focus minds, and (unfortunately) a prang like this can generate publicity and awareness in your own endeavours. If they get the female record, maybe you could get Carolyn Grace to jump in the driver's seat and give Bloodhound a bit of a fast taxi.
It is always a bit worrying when someone claims it was possibly God that got them out of a situation like that, it means the planning ran out. Personally, I think I'll rely on engineering and physics. I wish them well with safe journeys though, there's nothing like a bit of competition to focus minds, and (unfortunately) a prang like this can generate publicity and awareness in your own endeavours. If they get the female record, maybe you could get Carolyn Grace to jump in the driver's seat and give Bloodhound a bit of a fast taxi.
[quote=Zad]Won't a conical nose like that direct a compression wave towards the front (presumably steerable) wheel? Miiiiight possibly cause one or two control issues, especially when the thrust which is normally pushing it into the ground is turned off. Thrust SSC's was asymmetrical and had the steering wheels at the back.
Hello and thank you Zad, I'm really pleased you raised the subject of Thrust's offset rear wheels because I cannot, despite years of intermittent brain-wracking, work out how that bizarre arrangement could possibly have provided any benefit. These are some of the things I've considered:
Compared to parallel common-axle-centre steering wheels as per Bloodhound, the frontal area of Thrust's rear wheels, and therefore their drag, is the same. (So no advantage). Each wheel, being at a different distance from the front wheels, would (could?) be bearing a different portion of the vehicle's download, (asymmetric disadvantage) and would feel a different aerodynamic effect from the shockwave coming off the front (wheels) of the car. (Asymmetric disadvantage). Dust and debris thrown off the leading rear wheel might impact the trailing wheel. (Disadvantage). Striking a bump, depression or small object on the track would produce a double impact instead of one. (Disadvantage). There are other possible disadvantages I haven't mentioned.
So I completely don't get it and despite previous appeals for an engineer to explain the philosophy behind this design it has eluded me since 1997. Is there anybody out there now who can explain it to me? Pretty Please!
Hello and thank you Zad, I'm really pleased you raised the subject of Thrust's offset rear wheels because I cannot, despite years of intermittent brain-wracking, work out how that bizarre arrangement could possibly have provided any benefit. These are some of the things I've considered:
Compared to parallel common-axle-centre steering wheels as per Bloodhound, the frontal area of Thrust's rear wheels, and therefore their drag, is the same. (So no advantage). Each wheel, being at a different distance from the front wheels, would (could?) be bearing a different portion of the vehicle's download, (asymmetric disadvantage) and would feel a different aerodynamic effect from the shockwave coming off the front (wheels) of the car. (Asymmetric disadvantage). Dust and debris thrown off the leading rear wheel might impact the trailing wheel. (Disadvantage). Striking a bump, depression or small object on the track would produce a double impact instead of one. (Disadvantage). There are other possible disadvantages I haven't mentioned.
So I completely don't get it and despite previous appeals for an engineer to explain the philosophy behind this design it has eluded me since 1997. Is there anybody out there now who can explain it to me? Pretty Please!
I'm pretty sure the idea of thrust ssc having the rear wheel steering set up was more to do with the weight of the engines sitting on the front wheels. Therefore making steering heavy/impossible.... Think there was also a lack of space to be able to fit a steering mechanism/be able to move the wheels.....
Yes, Gorbachev. As I understand it the reason for Thrust's rear-wheel steering WAS because of the limited space available for a steering mechanism within the front wheelbays. But my question is not 'why rear-wheel steering'? It is 'what was the purpose of offsetting the rear wheels'?
Zad said:
It is always a bit worrying when someone claims it was possibly God that got them out of a situation like that, it means the planning ran out. Personally, I think I'll rely on engineering and physics. I wish them well with safe journeys though, there's nothing like a bit of competition to focus minds, and (unfortunately) a prang like this can generate publicity and awareness in your own endeavours. If they get the female record, maybe you could get Carolyn Grace to jump in the driver's seat and give Bloodhound a bit of a fast taxi.
That was my thoughts too. Chop the wings off a jet and bolt some wheels on then pray to God. Not very reassuring.djdest said:
From that video you wouldn't really realise that mission Pegasus came 'that' choose to making Jessie the fastest dead woman on earth! Edit:dear>dead
Edited by mcdjl on Tuesday 4th October 11:54
Oberon said:
Yes, Gorbachev. As I understand it the reason for Thrust's rear-wheel steering WAS because of the limited space available for a steering mechanism within the front wheelbays. But my question is not 'why rear-wheel steering'? It is 'what was the purpose of offsetting the rear wheels'?
I believe it was to get the tail as skinny as possible, and the offset was to avoid difficulty in the mechanism of a totally line astern set up - I may be making that up.Very glad that Jessi Coombs is OK - I saw everything on twitter, and it went from very chirpy optimistic stuff to 'we're going home - sorry'. I didn't realise there had been an incident. Very glad it all remained shiny side up and everyone is ok.
I am loathe to knock someone getting up off their arses and following their dream - especially this dream. However, between Bloodhound and A starfighter with the wings lopped off, I'm afraid I know where my money is going.
Vocal Minority said:
I believe it was to get the tail as skinny as possible, and the offset was to avoid difficulty in the mechanism of a totally line astern set up - I may be making that up.
Very glad that Jessi Coombs is OK - I saw everything on twitter, and it went from very chirpy optimistic stuff to 'we're going home - sorry'. I didn't realise there had been an incident. Very glad it all remained shiny side up and everyone is ok.
I am loathe to knock someone getting up off their arses and following their dream - especially this dream. However, between Bloodhound and A starfighter with the wings lopped off, I'm afraid I know where my money is going.
From the NAE website:Very glad that Jessi Coombs is OK - I saw everything on twitter, and it went from very chirpy optimistic stuff to 'we're going home - sorry'. I didn't realise there had been an incident. Very glad it all remained shiny side up and everyone is ok.
I am loathe to knock someone getting up off their arses and following their dream - especially this dream. However, between Bloodhound and A starfighter with the wings lopped off, I'm afraid I know where my money is going.
Landspeed.com website said:
Space Age Parachutes
Using space age parachutes, similar to what was used in the Apollo program, this car can come to a stop in a hurry.
I read that as . . . based on a 50 year old design!Using space age parachutes, similar to what was used in the Apollo program, this car can come to a stop in a hurry.
Soov535 said:
IN51GHT said:
fatbutt said:
IN51GHT said:
Sadly one of our competitors had a very close call today.
Jessi Combs was driving when things started to go seriously pear shaped, no real info yet but it sounds like they had multiple systems failure.
Thankfully both she & the team are all safe & packing up ready to go home in one piece.
This time next year it's out turn to come under scrutiny & this acts as a timely reminder that this is land speed racing business is bloody dangerous & you cannot take your eye off the ball for a split second (not saying the NAE team did), if you do there's a good chance it's going to bite you on the arse.
I can't seem to find anything online about this; was it the North American Eagle car?Jessi Combs was driving when things started to go seriously pear shaped, no real info yet but it sounds like they had multiple systems failure.
Thankfully both she & the team are all safe & packing up ready to go home in one piece.
This time next year it's out turn to come under scrutiny & this acts as a timely reminder that this is land speed racing business is bloody dangerous & you cannot take your eye off the ball for a split second (not saying the NAE team did), if you do there's a good chance it's going to bite you on the arse.
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