The Electric Bluebird at the RAC

[anonymous-user]

As already noted, I am sure, on PH, Malcolm Campbell's grandson is planning record attempts using an electric Bluebird, which is reported to have something equivalent to 400 BHP. It has 300 aircraft batteries, apparently.

The car is currently to be seen underneath the rotunda at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall. It looks like, well, a Bluebird car. Here are some photos for those who aren't members, can't wangle an invite, or don't want to put on a tie:-

[Ozzie Osmond]

Methinks Don Wales will either,

a) set fire to his trousers, or
b) go very quickly indeed!

[Sam_68]

Breadvan73 said:

As already noted, I am sure, on PH...

Link to earlier PH article and discussion here.

Only 400bhp? I remain intrigued as to how they intend beating the piston engined and wheel-driven gas turbine records on electric power... 500mph on 400bhp does not compute.

I'm naturally assuming that it is inconceivable that PH's editorial talent got the facts of their headline wrong.

[anonymous-user]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Methinks Don Wales will either,

a) set fire to his trousers, or
b) go very quickly indeed!

I conjecture that if I set fire to my trousers I might go quite quickly, so maybe he can do both.

I don't know how the car's power to weight ratio compares with those of other hypersuperdupermegaheaps with piston or jet engines, and CBA to look such things up at this late hour. I like the electrobird's retro futuristic look, if nothing else. Back in the days of The Eagle comic, this is what we thought our dads would be driving around in quite soon.

Edited by Breadvan73 on Saturday 16th July 01:07

[Sam_68]

Breadvan73 said:

I don't know how the car's power to weight ratio compares with those of other hypersuperdupermegaheaps with piston or jet engines, and CBA to look such things up at this late hour.

Given a long enough track, power:weight ratio is of secondary importance for LSR vehicles; indeed there's an argument for saying that weight (in moderation) is good, because it aids traction and stability.

It's power:CdA that's critical, as this is what limits your Vmax. If they're serious about 500mph, the Bluebird team will need to add another zero to their power output and halve their CdA, judging by the appearance of their current car. If you look at any of the recent wheel driven contenders you will find that they are very slim (ie. a tiny 'A' in the CdA equation) by comparison - they look almost like streamlined motorcycles.

Edited to add link to the website of the current holder of the wheel-driven LSR for comparison. They've still got another 42 mph to go before they're as fast as the Battery Bluebird (allegedly), though.

Edited by Sam_68 on Saturday 16th July 08:33

[anonymous-user]

That's interesting, thanks. I wonder if the team are being distracted by a desire to make the machine look like a classic Bluebird and other classic land speeders. I remember as a car-nut boy being thrilled by the John Cobb Railton Mobil Special which was displayed in the (sadly now closed) Science Museum in Birmingham. Record breaking cars had a certain look back then. Now they look like pencils.

[thinfourth2]

But what if he needs to go visit a sick relative after doing breaking the record?

Bloody fool

[Westy Pre-Lit]

thinfourth2 said:

But what if he needs to go visit a sick relative after doing breaking the record?

He's a Campbell, he's not a complete idiot

Edited by Westy Pre-Lit on Saturday 16th July 10:27

[6potdave]

Am I the only one who was expecting to see an 80's Nissan?