OV9

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

Nefarious wrote: Thu May 30, 2019 5:05 pm We have some serious lift/skirt issues

Hyurk, fnar

You have to be careful doing that in Nef's neck of the woods - you don't know what you might find

Is plentum a word Neil or a typo on plenum?

typo:

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.

A plentum is a quantum of plenum.

Which of your hovercraft collection is this Neil? The bus or the racer?

mik wrote: Thu May 30, 2019 7:31 pm A plentum is a quantum of plenum.

Which of your hovercraft collection is this Neil? The bus or the racer?

Bus.

And how were the mussels?

Shouldn’t it be air trials?

NotoriousREV wrote: Fri May 31, 2019 12:07 am Shouldn’t it be air trials?

No - that was the problem

Did you survive?

Jimmy Choo wrote: Fri May 31, 2019 2:20 pm Did you survive?

No - He's dead. Im currently in negotiations with Mrs Nef to seize all race team/sportscar assets.

Bagsy the Cerbera.

I mean.... RIP.

mik wrote: Fri May 31, 2019 2:56 pm Bagsy the Cerbera.

I mean.... RIP.

you can "get to fuck" thats mine.

you can have deaths hovercraft...

scotta wrote: Fri May 31, 2019 3:02 pm deaths hovercraft...

Brilliant mental image.

scotta wrote: Fri May 31, 2019 3:02 pm

mik wrote: Fri May 31, 2019 2:56 pm Bagsy the Cerbera.

I mean.... RIP.

you can "get to fuck" thats mine.

you can have deaths hovercraft...

I'll take the Jaaaaaaaag. Err..... I mean, my sincere condolences for the loss and I'll have the Westfield and the Jag.

Jimmy Choo wrote: Fri May 31, 2019 4:11 pm

scotta wrote: Fri May 31, 2019 3:02 pm

mik wrote: Fri May 31, 2019 2:56 pm Bagsy the Cerbera.

I mean.... RIP.

you can "get to fuck" thats mine.

you can have deaths hovercraft...

I'll take the Jaaaaaaaag. Err..... I mean, my sincere condolences for the loss and I'll have the Westfield and the Jag.

Westfield comes under the sportscar category that i have already claimed.

I’ll have his portfolio of properties..

I mean Soz 4 ya Loss...

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