N601RX Posted August 8, 2013 Report Posted August 8, 2013 I'm at an instrumentation and test conference in Austin this week and was a little surprised to find this on display there. Its a F-104A that has had its wings and elevator removed and been fitted with wheels. The goal is to break the World Land Speed record of 763 miles per hr. Their goal is to go over 800mph. So for it has been up to almost 500. They are hoping to break the official record late this year or early next year. The owner/driver was nice enough to let me sit in it and take my picture. The cockpit is mostly original and it is still driven by the stick and the brakes are on still on the rudder pedal. More info here. http://landspeed.com/ In its previous life this plane served as a chase plane for NASA and then as a chase plane for the SR71. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
N601RX Posted August 8, 2013 Author Report Posted August 8, 2013 I asked that question and the rules state that there can be no control surfaces that can be moved by the driver. If so its considered a plane, not a car. The only exception is the very small canard up front that is controlled by a computer and data acquisition system that keeps the front wheel firmly planted on the ground.
kerry Posted August 8, 2013 Report Posted August 8, 2013 Does it still have the ejection seat just incase the car starts to wobble at 800 mph
N601RX Posted August 8, 2013 Author Report Posted August 8, 2013 Yes, still has the original seat, but it has been disarmed.
1964-M20E Posted August 8, 2013 Report Posted August 8, 2013 At least the majority of the vehicle has already been designed for moving fast.
Hank Posted August 8, 2013 Report Posted August 8, 2013 All of it but the wheels . . . Hope they changed that part and added some suspension!
N601RX Posted August 8, 2013 Author Report Posted August 8, 2013 The wheels are just machined out of a solid chunk of aluminum, no rubber or suspension.
TWinter Posted August 9, 2013 Report Posted August 9, 2013 Much better looking than the silly car/plane that displayed at Oshkosh..LOL
Scott Aviation Posted August 9, 2013 Report Posted August 9, 2013 what instrumentation conference are you at in Austin? I'm at an instrumentation and test conference in Austin this week and was a little surprised to find this on display there. Its a F-104A that has had its wings and elevator removed and been fitted with wheels. The goal is to break the World Land Speed record of 763 miles per hr. Their goal is to go over 800mph. So for it has been up to almost 500. They are hoping to break the official record late this year or early next year. The owner/driver was nice enough to let me sit in it and take my picture. The cockpit is mostly original and it is still driven by the stick and the brakes are on still on the rudder pedal. More info here. http://landspeed.com/ In its previous life this plane served as a chase plane for NASA and then as a chase plane for the SR71. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD what instrumentation conference are you at in Austin?
Recommended Posts