After my last tethered hydroplane flash steamer major crash at the Midland Area Championships two weeks ago and burning gallons of midnight oil I just managed to get it in a state to run at Kingsbury on 22 September 2013.

A fellow competitors video shows what happened 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqqOTd32sig

Despite a leaking cylinder head and a faulty prop shaft plus cam timing needing altering it still managed 122mph plus.

With Bob Kirtley on form it was a close competition with fractions of a second between our times.

A very enjoyable end to my season.

Paul

Edited By Windy on 26/09/2013 00:50:57

I had an interesting day at Bob Polleys railway track with the York and Pickering Model Engineer Clubs being invited.

A test firing with the Flash steamer in his small pond was a bit hair rising for me.

With the nose of the hydro embedded in the bank then raising the propeller up and down in the water to check how the engine performed.

A welders leather gauntlet was worn to hold the hydro’s stern as it gets very hot plus safety goggles as I did not know what to expect doing a static test for so long.

As I could not simulate the air speed at 120mph the burners cooled off after a while but noticed at one speed range could feel an oscillation on the rear I think it was the prop shaft as it had been straightened prior to my last meeting and was not too confident about it.

With duck weed flying it answered a few queries now back to making some new parts for it.

Thanks Bob for an interesting day.

Paul