News: US to Set New Land-Speed Record

[FlyTexas]

Ok...maybe after this car/aircraft runs. We need a 'wind-up' smilie.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1074 ... -speed-car

Brian

[Hot_Charlie]

The converted F-104 Lockheed Star Fighter jet once flown by some of the most famous test pilots of the 1950s and 1960s has been tested for the past six years but has yet to make its attempt at the record

Because no one's been mad enough to do it yet! The technology between Thrust (or Thrusts, various, and Bloodhound) and half an F-104 are quite different. I must admit I suspected this project had died a quiet death ever since it was covered on TV when it first appeared.

[FlyTexas]

The converted F-104 Lockheed Star Fighter jet once flown by some of the most famous test pilots of the 1950s and 1960s has been tested for the past six years but has yet to make its attempt at the record

Because no one's been mad enough to do it yet!

...and they've talked a woman into doing it.

Brian

[Chris Trott]

My understanding is that Ed's had some questions about his health/fitness to make the runs, so they've been looking for most of the last 6 years for a suitable replacement. You're right that no one's been crazy enough (until now) to fill his shoes, but it's also because you need the right kind of person to do it as well. A Pro Stock Motorcycle racer is an excellent choice because they need extremely quick reactions (not just on the clutch, but also steering) to be able to handle those monster bikes down the quarter mile. The other problem's been money (isn't it always?), so it looks like they may have finally gotten the needed support to get these guys out on the flats and into the books.

Will be interesting to see how it goes this summer.

[DarrenL]

I can't see how it will ever work, nose up backflip at speed or nose down trench digger.

No sign of any attempt to control the build up or flow of air under the nose.

PS. What is the speed of an F-104 at sea level anyway?

[jonesey2k]

Isn't using half an aeroplane cheating?

[FlyTexas]

Isn't using half an aeroplane cheating?

Cheating death if she can make a successful run. The F-104 didn't exactly have a stellar safety record doing what she was designed to do...not to mention using her as a race car.

Brian

[Chris Trott]

I think it's a major myth that the F-104 didn't do its job. If it was so bad, then why were the last F-104S's only retired a few years ago? Some of the early models definitely had some major "gotchas", but after the initial problems with the early models and the change from a downward ejection seat, the aircraft proved to be pretty danged good, even to the point that it saw service as a fast, light bomber in Vietnam with the US and was the most exported US warplane ever built. The F-16 is only just now getting close to surpassing the F-104 in sales.

Also, I'll see if I can find the numbers again, but as a fleet, I'm pretty sure the F-104's loss rate even including the early models is still on par or better than the loss rate of other single-engine fighters both of its era and even modern aircraft like the F-16.

[emfrat]

There seems to be a lot of it about - must be the weather
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17441382

MikeW

[DarrenL]

Spares are at least relatively cheap - http://www.courtesyaircraft.com/Current ... roject.htm