First hovercraft sea trials
First hovercraft sea trials
Just back home collecting tools/parts before heading back up to Loch Fyne, so a quick update in case I don't make it back...
One way of putting it is "below expectations". Another way is "fucking terrifying". We have some serious lift/skirt issues (plentum/skirt pressure ratio all wrong), meaning that the skirt segments can easily separate and then not re-inflate.
Basically, half the time it's threatening in plunge me to the bottom of the loch, the other half it's flying like a rocket (there is some *serious* thrust in this thing) but with marginal stability. In many ways, it might've been more sensible *not* to fully open the taps as soon as I properly got it up on the cushion )
In car terms - it's a bit like a big power GT car on flat tyres - if it's not throwing a tyre off the rim and you can actually get some power down, it's all squidgy squeltchy and wants to spit you into a barrel roll.
Several mods planned for when I get back there, and hopefully we can tame this thing a bit. But mostly, it'll be trying not to die...*hopefully* pics when I get home
One way of putting it is "below expectations". Another way is "fucking terrifying". We have some serious lift/skirt issues (plentum/skirt pressure ratio all wrong), meaning that the skirt segments can easily separate and then not re-inflate.
Basically, half the time it's threatening in plunge me to the bottom of the loch, the other half it's flying like a rocket (there is some *serious* thrust in this thing) but with marginal stability. In many ways, it might've been more sensible *not* to fully open the taps as soon as I properly got it up on the cushion )
In car terms - it's a bit like a big power GT car on flat tyres - if it's not throwing a tyre off the rim and you can actually get some power down, it's all squidgy squeltchy and wants to spit you into a barrel roll.
Several mods planned for when I get back there, and hopefully we can tame this thing a bit. But mostly, it'll be trying not to die...*hopefully* pics when I get home
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough"
Re: First hovercraft sea trials
You have to be careful doing that in Nef's neck of the woods - you don't know what you might find
Re: First hovercraft sea trials
Is plentum a word Neil or a typo on plenum?
Re: First hovercraft sea trials
Thought so - it's the exact definition of a plenum chamber in my mind, but didn't know if hovercraft world had their own variation on it.
Re: First hovercraft sea trials
A plentum is a quantum of plenum.
Which of your hovercraft collection is this Neil? The bus or the racer?
Which of your hovercraft collection is this Neil? The bus or the racer?
- NotoriousREV
- Posts: 6437
- Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 4:14 pm
Re: First hovercraft sea trials
No - that was the problem
- Jimmy Choo
- Posts: 2007
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:43 am
Re: First hovercraft sea trials
No - He's dead. Im currently in negotiations with Mrs Nef to seize all race team/sportscar assets.
Re: First hovercraft sea trials
Bagsy the Cerbera.
I mean.... RIP.
I mean.... RIP.
- Jimmy Choo
- Posts: 2007
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:43 am
Re: First hovercraft sea trials
I'll take the Jaaaaaaaag. Err..... I mean, my sincere condolences for the loss and I'll have the Westfield and the Jag.
Banal Vapid Platitudes
Re: First hovercraft sea trials
Westfield comes under the sportscar category that i have already claimed.Jimmy Choo wrote: ↑Fri May 31, 2019 4:11 pmI'll take the Jaaaaaaaag. Err..... I mean, my sincere condolences for the loss and I'll have the Westfield and the Jag.
Re: First hovercraft sea trials
I’ll have his portfolio of properties..
I mean Soz 4 ya Loss...
I mean Soz 4 ya Loss...
Re: First hovercraft sea trials
Reports of my untimely demise have been greatly exaggerated, I'm afraid.
I'm back in civilisation, and haven't left anything expensive at the bottom of the loch!
Abysmal weather halted any further water-based testing, but I am a few steps further along with my understanding of the craft. I've now done some pressure tests, and even though there are big improvements to be made to the fan housing and plenum, we are still producing a theoretical 1400kg of lift. Just a shame you can't fly on theory.
The good news is that it means a redesign of a few skirt segments should see everything hunky dory, and the other anticipated efficiency mods should bring down the operating revs quite substantially (and make the thrust power more controllable).
So now I've got lots of maths and sewing to do. Ah, the glamour of hovercrafting
I'm back in civilisation, and haven't left anything expensive at the bottom of the loch!
Abysmal weather halted any further water-based testing, but I am a few steps further along with my understanding of the craft. I've now done some pressure tests, and even though there are big improvements to be made to the fan housing and plenum, we are still producing a theoretical 1400kg of lift. Just a shame you can't fly on theory.
The good news is that it means a redesign of a few skirt segments should see everything hunky dory, and the other anticipated efficiency mods should bring down the operating revs quite substantially (and make the thrust power more controllable).
So now I've got lots of maths and sewing to do. Ah, the glamour of hovercrafting
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough"