Sad news for the Bloodhound project, see link below, I've been following this and was hopeful they would get down to South Africa next year and build up to their 1,000 mph target.

Surely some British entrepreneur has a spare 250,000 to buy the project and a few million to fund it to completion? Richard Branson??

BBC Report Linker


It's a fascinating engineering project, website here:

http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/

What a shame. One interesting fact was that they were using an Indy car engine just to run the fuel pump for the Typhoon jet engine iirc.

They have been at it for years and not managed much.

Space X has been going less time. . .

I can't help but think there are some fundamental problems with the design, project team or project management.

All they managed to achieve is 17mph slower than a P1. Which was probably also developed in less time and money. . . .

Sad News for all those involved but have to say in these financially troubled times it was fairly inevitable as costs seemed to be escalating

Wonder what will happen to the staff involved and also if the bill has been paid for the strip of land in Africa that was cleared ready for the first run?

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Originally posted by Ugg10
One interesting fact was that they were using an Indy car engine just to run the fuel pump for the Typhoon jet engine iirc.

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I was lucky enough to see ThrustSSC in the hanger.

What I also saw was roughly 30 people and a couple of engineers working.

Can't imagine what the ratio of Engineer to the rest of the team is.

I was "unlucky" enough to see Thrust SSC, day after day for months, when it was sadly parked up on a low loader at Gaydon Services on the M40 after it had achieved it's record breaking run.

[Edited on 8/12/18 by slingshot2000]

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Originally posted by bi22le
They have been at it for years and not managed much.

Space X has been going less time. . .

I can't help but think there are some fundamental problems with the design, project team or project management.

All they managed to achieve is 17mph slower than a P1. Which was probably also developed in less time and money. . . .

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To be honest I'm not surprised; no one's going to throw money at a vanity project like that when they can't even be sure they'll be in business this time next year.

It isn't a business, it is a Land Speed Record attempt. They have not been raising money via any business model,only charity and sponsorship.
They are doing it for the challenge, like Hilary did climbing Everest. No-one will make money from this !

But;
Imagine if this is successful how much good it could do for the future of British engineering, and how much they could make from
giving talks to new engineers.

I once attended a talk by Richard Noble, I wish I had his enthusiasm for speed and life !

[Edited on 10/12/18 by slingshot2000]

People just ain't interested. The public probably spend more texting for those idiots on strictly than donating to the project. Probably no surprise given how much air time the two receive. BBC could have done a short series with Giles Martin and David Attenborough to raise awareness.

Exactly ! ^^^^

Years ago LSR's were something the British public could publicise around the world, we were proud to hold them and others tried to emulate us. Now all we are interested in is un-known celebrities doing some advertising for stuff we don't need.

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Originally posted by slingshot2000No-one will make money from this !

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whole thing sounded a farce and the pace of development spectacular slow

So they build a 1000mph car...then what

Space X sticks 4 wheels on to a booster and triples their record

quote:

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Originally posted by slingshot2000
It isn't a business, it is a Land Speed Record attempt. They have not been raising money via any business model,only charity and sponsorship.
They are doing it for the challenge, like Hilary did climbing Everest. No-one will make money from this !

But;
Imagine if this is successful how much good it could do for the future of British engineering, and how much they could make from
giving talks to new engineers.


[Edited on 10/12/18 by slingshot2000]

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Sad about Bloodhound. Lift your spirits with this documentary:

lets be hopeful

Bloodhound supersonic car project saved (17dec18)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-46591860

I genuinely don't see the point. Now don't get me wrong I love the whole explorer/pioneer spirit. I love reading about and watching stuff on Bonneville, Donald campbell etc. But this is so irrelevant. It's just willy waving. What are we going to learn about going above the last record?

Petrol engines are let's face it dying. Surely there are more interesting and relevant engineering projects to take on over plonking a typhoon engine into a car.

I see today in the news that the project has been bought by an "experienced automotive industry businessman" from up North

Lets see what happens next...

I'm really pleased that it has been saved and I look forward to them breaking the 1000MPH barrier.

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Originally posted by sdh2903
I genuinely don't see the point. Now don't get me wrong I love the whole explorer/pioneer spirit. I love reading about and watching stuff on Bonneville, Donald campbell etc. But this is so irrelevant. It's just willy waving. What are we going to learn about going above the last record?

Petrol engines are let's face it dying. Surely there are more interesting and relevant engineering projects to take on over plonking a typhoon engine into a car.

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No I can fully appreciate what it is. But again what are we going to learn really? How tyres work at 800mph? The fuel consumption of a typhoon engine at sea level? What is going to come from this to progress the automotive industry? I can't honestly think of anything? But it's the guys money so he obviously fancies their chances and can see an opportunity.

quote:

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Originally posted by sdh2903
No I can fully appreciate what it is. But again what are we going to learn really? How tyres work at 800mph? The fuel consumption of a typhoon engine at sea level? What is going to come from this to progress the automotive industry? I can't honestly think of anything? But it's the guys money so he obviously fancies their chances and can see an opportunity.

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Ok enlighten me. What are we going to learn that's useful and will help us progress in other areas of engineering?

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Originally posted by sdh2903
Ok enlighten me. What are we going to learn that's useful and will help us progress in other areas of engineering? [/quote

I give up! Let us go back to living in caves rather than explore the limits of what is possible

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sdh2903 - 18/12/18 at 05:15 PM

Your misunderstanding me. I'm all for endeavour. But make it RELEVANT. doing it using some sort of alternative power, hydrogen or electric that would have piqued interest and probably more corporate sponsors. Let's push the boundaries of tomorrow's engineering not yesterday's.

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02GF74 - 18/12/18 at 06:16 PM

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Originally posted by peter030371

quote:

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Originally posted by sdh2903
Ok enlighten me. What are we going to learn that's useful and will help us progress in other areas of engineering? [/quote

I give up! Let us go back to living in caves rather than explore the limits of what is possible

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In olden days, it was pushing techmology to the limits and development of it such as engines and aerodynamics.

We know that current techmology will push objects at mach 4 and beyond, albeit in the air.

If it happens, the only thing we will learn is how brave /foolish a human being can be, that thing's a death trap should it flip at 1002 mph.

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steve m - 18/12/18 at 06:46 PM

Have to agree with ^^

Although I would dearly like to see it do the 1000 mph, and safely, I cant see it happening, as ive been watching the news bulletins via email for YEARS, and nothing seems to of happened in YEARS,

shame, as My Fathers name is on the tail (apparently) and when I paid for that is was around 2010, 8 years ago, and my Father was of a sound mind, not so now
Also the project was aiming at being viable around 2014/15 for an attempt at the record, and nearly 4 years down the line, its less viable now, than when it started !!

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peter030371 - 18/12/18 at 07:21 PM

To the above, the answer to your doubts are, in the main, listed in the many pages of the website.

www.bloodhoundssc.com

It has not all gone to plan but then life never does. I hope that a British team are the first to take a land based vehicle to >1000mph

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slingshot2000 - 18/12/18 at 11:17 PM

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Originally posted by peter030371
To the above, the answer to your doubts are, in the main, listed in the many pages of the website.

www.bloodhoundssc.com

It has not all gone to plan but then life never does. I hope that a British team are the first to take a land based vehicle to >1000mph

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^^^^^^^^
Me too!

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Sam_68 - 19/12/18 at 11:39 PM

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Originally posted by peter030371
[The dynamics of a land based vehicle (not a plane or space craft) at these speeds is just unknown ...

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quote:

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Originally posted by 02GF74
We know that current technology will push objects at mach 4 and beyond, albeit in the air.

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There have actually been a number of rocket sled research programmes in various countries from the 1940's onwards. They have run at speeds up to Mach 8.5. There is even one here in the UK, at Pendine Sands in Wales (the Pendine Long Test Track), now operated by Qinetiq, that has been around since the 1950's and is capable of running objects up to Mach 3.

These are routine testing facilities.

Anyone who tells you that the aerodynamics of supersonic bodies in ground effect are unknown is simply misinformed.

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peter030371 - 20/12/18 at 09:08 AM

quote:

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Originally posted by Sam_68
There have actually been a number of rocket sled research programmes in various countries from the 1940's onwards. They have run at speeds up to Mach 8.5. There is even one here in the UK, at Pendine Sands in Wales (the Pendine Long Test Track), now operated by Qinetiq, that has been around since the 1950's and is capable of running objects up to Mach 3.

These are routine testing facilities.

Anyone who tells you that the aerodynamics of supersonic bodies in ground effect are unknown is simply misinformed.

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Indeed the Pendine sled has been used for early Thrust SSC development but it has limitations when looking at ground effects at >Mach 1 so for Bloodhound they have now used just CFD

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HowardB - 20/12/18 at 09:44 AM

worth a look

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coyoteboy - 20/12/18 at 01:41 PM

quote:

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Originally posted by sdh2903
I genuinely don't see the point. Now don't get me wrong I love the whole explorer/pioneer spirit. I love reading about and watching stuff on Bonneville, Donald campbell etc. But this is so irrelevant. It's just willy waving. What are we going to learn about going above the last record?

Petrol engines are let's face it dying. Surely there are more interesting and relevant engineering projects to take on over plonking a typhoon engine into a car.

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Same reason people climb the next highest mountain. Because it's hard, because you build a team that learns new things (be that in aero, in certain technologies, or simply because it's fun and inspiring). If people didn't think like this, you'd never get the pioneers. Why bother going for any record if going to the next record isn't valuable purely from "what might come out of it" unknowns.

Your thinking is similar to why blue skies research value is questioned constantly in universities, and why funding is de-allocated from non-commercially viable projects. Yet blue skies research is where most major developments and breakthroughs occur, not in step change commercially viable projects. And those breakthroughs come because we didn't know what we didn't know, we learned something new when we thought we could do it with current knowledge. We overcome difficulties that no-one has had to yet.

Don't claim to love the pioneer spirit and then effectively shat on pushing a limit of which you know very little, that's armchair hypocrisy.

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jeffw - 21/12/18 at 07:56 AM

Dear BLOODHOUND Supporter (i.e. me)
As you will be aware BLOODHOUND Programme Limited recently went into voluntary Administration, but we are absolutely delighted that on Monday 17th December, the business and assets were bought allowing the Project to continue.

The acquisition was made by Yorkshire-based entrepreneur Ian Warhurst. Ian is a mechanical engineer by training, with a strong background in managing a highly successful business in the automotive engineering sector, so he will bring a lot of expertise to the Project.

Ian and his family have been enthusiastic BLOODHOUND supporters for many years, and this inspired his new involvement with the Project and will shape its future: “I am delighted to have been able to safeguard the business and assets preventing the project breakup. I know how important it is to inspire young people about science, technology, engineering and maths, and I want to ensure BLOODHOUND can continue doing that into the future.”
“It’s clear how much this unique British project means to people and I have been overwhelmed by the messages of thanks I have received in the last few days.”

Although it has been a frustrating few months for BLOODHOUND, we are thrilled that Ian has saved BLOODHOUND SSC from closure for the country and the many supporters around the world who have been inspired by the Project. We now have a lot of planning to do for 2019 and beyond, so we’re going to have a break over Christmas and then return in the New Year to formulate the next steps.

We’d like to thank you for your past support of the Project and will write again in the New Year with further news.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The BLOODHOUND Team

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sdh2903 - 21/12/18 at 10:12 AM

"that's armchair hypocrisy"

Well excuse me for having an opinion that may differ from yours.

If you think there's lots to be learned from launching an internal combustion engine, a jet engine and a rocket down a runway then good for you. But I don't. If they were using technology that wasn't centuries old or new propulsion methods then I'd be more excited over it.

But at the end of the day it's a private venture funded by an enthusiast so good luck to them but I still maintain my previous view that it's just willy waving. We already hold the record. We've already gone supersonic.

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femster87 - 21/12/18 at 05:30 PM

If someone paid me tinker as much as they did. Even I would take the money. Regarding success, well sometimes you just have try. It might work or fail.

I don't think the team are commercially savvy and there is no investor breathing down their neck for results. That seems to produce quicker results.

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craig1410 - 25/12/18 at 01:36 AM

I am frankly amazed to hear the level of naysaying around the Bloodhound project on this thread. I am personally delighted that the project has been saved for the time being and I very much hope it succeeds in its goals. I’m truly stunned at the lack of support from many of you.

For those of you in the “...what’s the point...” camp I would ask you to consider the same question about why you are building your own project vehicle? Does anyone have the right to tell you that you are wrong? Do you really believe that you learn nothing by seeing such a project through to completion?

I mourn the passing of the space program, the shuttle program and Concorde and, although I understand the logic behind those decisions in many ways, it doesn’t lessen the feeling that we have lost something important. We are hard-wired to push the limits and to evolve if we stop doing that then, yeah, what IS the point!

Come on folks, the least we can do is encourage the dreamers amongst us.

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