Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

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Originally Posted by Bob V

Congrats on you clean bill of health. Now Jill gets the gall bladder removed next week and then it should be smooth sailing. You will be able to get the "Radical Radial" up and running in no time.....Live is good again..:thumbsup:

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Job done——- still do not like these occasions—- unfortunately they happen to all of us at sometime or another in our life.
Came back home too late to take a nap, but too early for a drink——- toddled into the workshop and got a good two hours on the RR (Radical Radial)——- Have no idea if there ever was such a device ! But if there was, it must have run like a Swiss clock.
One thing for absolute certainty——— there will NEVER be another one. Thirty of everything——- barrels, heads——Oil pipes—- holes, —— bolts——— must have had a mad fit of depression to even contemplate the project in the first bloody place !
When it’s finally finished, rest assured, it will carry a hefty price tag!
I have to say——- I don’t give a flying fart what else is being exhibited alongside this piece, it will dwarf in comparison.
Eat your heart out ANDY——- you did your best——- but Close enough is only good enough in horse shoes and hand grenades !

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Originally Posted by ron54

" You will be able to get the "Radical Radial" up and running in no time"

Bob lowering the tone of this thread will get youse heading toward the ice cold slab of the naughty step.........lol

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Radical: Revolutionary..Progressive..

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Originally Posted by Bob V

Radical: Revolutionary..Progressive..

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RRP?———- Too bloody close to RIP ,
Lets just settle for RR!

Today should be a “normal” day, whatever that is ?—— long time since I did a normal, Seems there’s happenings and occasions——- Births, deaths, marriages and divorces, appointments and meetings, lunches and dinners, trips, cruises and airports, hospitals and surgeries, doctors diagnosing, nurses needling———- so, I ask again——— what, where and when is NORMAL ?
For me, it’s a day in the shop fernagling whatever, and just letting my little grey cells and hands work in harmony, producing things of little or no value, except to keep the body functioning the way it ought to, as long as possible.
WHATS YOUR “NORMAL” DAY ?

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Originally Posted by ron54

Wos things like on the naughty step do I get fed or do I have to bring my own?

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Jackie....I can't help but to think that Phill has been waiting for an invitation to the exclusive "Naughty Step Club."

Maybe the time has come...??

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Well, like i told you——-I’ve had a word with Billy and he’s confirmed that he did make that particular boat———— the one that won Parker.
Lembke boys did pull a deck mould and a Hull mould from it——— he thinks Mike Mullins might have them!
Small world isn’t it?

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Mullins does have the moulds

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Originally Posted by John Schubert

Mullins does have the moulds

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Thanks John—— Timmy confirmed that MM does indeed have the mounds———But, for the life in me, I can’t imagine who the hell would want to pull a boat out of there.
Although I don’t doubt the original Seebold/Sidewinder would be a much quicker boat than the Hodges/Cosworth, ( by some thirty miles per hour ) I still can’t see anybody building one today.
Modern design and building techniques, weight and strength, cells and safety have advanced slowly but surely over the last forty years and rendered previous designs obsolete.
Even if there were one or two enthusiastic entrepreneurs willing to back the project ——- where could you run a rig like that today———- you couldn’t find a place that would have you——- insurance would be high if not impossible———- maybe better to simply remember things the way they were.

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Originally Posted by Bob V

Jackie....I can't help but to think that Phill has been waiting for an invitation to the exclusive "Naughty Step Club."

Maybe the time has come...??

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As the walrus said——- to speak of many things, like working long and hard to earn the “Naughty Step”— been some notables among the residents of the step over the years———- all whom have learned and become wiser after the experience! Not a punishment to be handed down lightly——— more an experience to be savoured and enjoyed ——-placed alongside treasured memories like your first bike, car, raceboat, girlfriend, house and kid.
Jest ye not the naughty step——— listen and learn, then weep for what you missed ! Such is the power of the naughty step !

Mullin's version of the Silverwing...

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Originally Posted by AZMIDLYF

Mullin's version of the Silverwing...

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Not what I meant at all, Seebold had a plastic pleasure craft!! Ugly, single engined tunnel ski boat that would not win a beauty contest in a million years. Mullins make on the Sidewinder falls into that same category——- stack of assholes come to mind!!
The original raceboat was a thing of beauty——- not only did it look good—— it performed !
Dont know how true it is—— maybe conjecture or rumour—- or simply enhanced legend, but the figure of 150 mph has been mentioned in the same breath as the Seebold/Sidewinder.
Be interesting to talk to someone who has first hand knowledge of the rig——— also nice if we knew where the original wood boat was.
V12 Jaguars are in plentiful supply—— even one of Tom Wilkenshaws 800 hp jobbies would not be hard to find ( or even that expensive).

The Silverwing....Pure Perfection...:thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Bob V

The Silverwing....Pure Perfection...:thumbsup:

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Have to agree with Bobby Vee ——- raceboats don’t come along like this one very often.

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Have to agree with Bobby Vee ——- raceboats don’t come along like this one very often.

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Another example of Pure Perfection...:thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

As the walrus said——- to speak of many things, like working long and hard to earn the “Naughty Step”— been some notables among the residents of the step over the years———- all whom have learned and become wiser after the experience! Not a punishment to be handed down lightly——— more an experience to be savoured and enjoyed ——-placed alongside treasured memories like your first bike, car, raceboat, girlfriend, house and kid.
Jest ye not the naughty step——— listen and learn, then weep for what you missed ! Such is the power of the naughty step !

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Sorry, Phill, I tried to get you a spot on the naughty step, but it appears that you have not been bad enough...yet..:reddevil:

Was a case of head down, arse up today ———— three hours non stop on the lathe——— finished thirty cylinder alloy barrels ! Not bad for a really rapidly ageing “old fart” on a Sunday morning!
Thirty push rod tubes ——rockers, you name it——- I made it ——- in spades ?
Be at least a week before I’m brave enough to post piccies——— just had ONE of those—— wish to God I’d never started this bloody thing feelings.
had to call it a day mid afternoon—— when your doing thirty of everything——- the day seems longggggg!
Will certainly be a talking piece for years to come——- not many people even heard of a thirty barrelled radial——- let alone SEEN one——- might have been CURTIS — MAC Douglas—— Focker—— Hienkel Or Messerschmitt?
Five—’ll—-get you ten, Gene knows all about this particular lump!

Bob...My heartfelt thanks and gratitude for your efforts to get me up to the Florentine Marble pinnacle of f*ck up...:cheers:

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Was a case of head down, arse up today ———— three hours non stop on the lathe——— finished thirty cylinder alloy barrels ! Not bad for a really rapidly ageing “old fart” on a Sunday morning!
Thirty push rod tubes ——rockers, you name it——- I made it ——- in spades ?
Be at least a week before I’m brave enough to post piccies——— just had ONE of those—— wish to God I’d never started this bloody thing feelings.
had to call it a day mid afternoon—— when your doing thirty of everything——- the day seems longggggg!
Will certainly be a talking piece for years to come——- not many people even heard of a thirty barrelled radial——- let alone SEEN one——- might have been CURTIS — MAC Douglas—— Focker—— Hienkel Or Messerschmitt?

Five—’ll—-get you ten, Gene knows all about this particular lump!

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Jackie----Uncle Sam returned me to 'civilian life' 66 years ago. I immediately went to work for the largest airline in the world.

Largest engine shop--working on the 'largest engine'--

The Pratt and Whitney---R-4360

28 Cylinders; 56 Spark Plugs; 56 Push Rod Tubes; 56 Rocker Covers; Seven Magnetos---

I'm looking for a picture-----

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Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM

I'm looking for a picture-----

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Wikipedia--USAF MUSEUM

Pic doesn't do it justice

3500 Horsepower

weight/horsepower=1.1

http://i63.tinypic.com/2567j3c.jpg

[QUOTE=GENE LANHAM;3073059]Wikipedia--USAF MUSEUM

Pic doesn't do it justice

3500 Horsepower

weight/horsepower=1.1

http://i63.tinypic.com/2567j3c.jpg[/QP Oh my sweet lord—— there’s big and then there’s Hucking Fuge !!!—- then there’s clean out the window ginormous ——— then there’s “THAT MOTHER” of all fly boy motors.
I thought mine was a complicated arrangement——- it pales into insignificance compared to the R 4360 Gene.
Didnt I tell you Gene would know———-
Think of the improbable——— then the unheard of—— then the unlikely—— then the impossible——GL. will always have the answer!!
You got that”MALIBUSTANG”bird soaring yet?

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Today, I butchered the bear——- was up and running well before 8 am.
Determined to finish the barrels and heads for the Radical Radial?
After some historical research on the thirty barrel radial, I discovered it Was that old rascal Howard Hughes himself who started the ball rolling by ordering ten motors for his Spruce Goose——- with another ten for back up. He wanted 3750 horsepower from a single motor , reckoned he needed thirty thousand horsepower to lift 800 fully kitted troops !! Contractors were Pratt Whitney and Lanham. —————Curtis Wright, And Briggs and Stratton———- all vying to build the new range of propulsion for the USA government .
We all know by now, the Goose only flew the once and development on the project was mothballed!

Be later in the week before I’m ready to mount the Radical Radial——- but it’s lookin the top side of “Fair to Middling”.just got sixty push rod tubes to fix yet!.

Looks like the attachment is an “INVALID” says to get in touch with the ADMINISTRATOR.?? ?Ah well, nobody’s perfect!

Lol, my wife has been saying that for years. :leaving:

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Originally Posted by AZMIDLYF

Lol, my wife has been saying that for years. :leaving:

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Thats Ok—— providing you maintain the right to disagree with her ?

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Thats Ok—— providing you maintain the right to disagree with her ?

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It is not an easy task to disagree with those that shall always be obeyed and are "never" wrong. Attempting to do so can cause severe consequences.

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Originally Posted by Bob V

It is not an easy task to disagree with those that shall always be obeyed and are "never" wrong. Attempting to do so can cause severe consequences.

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You have to take the bull by the horns, (so to speak ) faint heart never won fair lady Bob.
My wayward grandfather always maintained the old adage “Keep em well fed and poorly shod “
Me myself believe it—— but I don’t have the balls to push it ——- I’m a discretion over valour sort of person !

https://i2.wp.com/svera.se/blogg/wp-...size=625%2C401

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[QUOTE=jackiewilson;3073062]

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Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM

— then the impossible——GL. will always have the answer!!
You got that”MALIBUSTANG”bird soaring yet?

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Jackie---perhaps I'm working on the 'impossible'?

More delays--and now I am waiting on Piper Aircraft to supply the necessary parts$$$$

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Originally Posted by FUJIMO

https://i2.wp.com/svera.se/blogg/wp-...size=625%2C401

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Meanwhile---Janisch and Sirois were hard at work---

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[QUOTE=GENE LANHAM;3073417]

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Jackie---perhaps I'm working on the 'impossible'?

More delays--and now I am waiting on Piper Aircraft to supply the necessary parts$$$$

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Just tell me what you need Gene———— four pot?——- 6 pot Continental?——- Radical Radial?——- whatever your requirements are, just call out my name——— and you know wherever I am——-i’ll come running!!!!!
Got a fair to middling contact in the guy who runs the GIECO boat—— you know the one——- Stevie Curtis and James Shepard jockey the thing in unlimited offshore———— his name is Gary Stray and he’s married to my eldest granddaughter!!! Knows all sorts of folk in the aircraft industry, give me the nod and a list of bits ———— I’m certain we can get you the “MALIBUSTANG” ——— UP AND AWAY.
IVE GOT HALF A FECKIN AIRPLANE UNDER MY BENCH———- Gary collects all things aircraft———waiting for him to arrange collection———- he was even up in the Goodwood Spitfire earlier this summer.
Failing all else Gene, I could always fernagle you something in the shop.

I had no idea of what a competitive inboard should look like—- sound like— or feel like when the idea of something other than Outboard was first mooted.
I had seen quite a few that ran in England.
Fenn and Woods—— Albatross——— Delta’s———-Moonfleet’s———- was not impressed with any of them to be honest.
Called GG and asked if he had a quickish KT anywhere lurking in the back lot ?
Told me he had a beauty————- A twenty foot Jones with a big block Keith Black lump in the back and a spare gearcase. Flew over to California for a long weekend—— then back to Oshkosh for look see at the said craft.
Took it up to Chasewater and ran it in the 500 miler——— was not impressed with either the boat or the motor———- sold the boat to my mechnic Chas Shooter for the price I paid for it. Then ordered a new boat from Freddie Miles.
Bill Brown supplied a brand fire new Cosworth BDG 2 litre shoving out 275/300 hp on a good day—- Rig was good and competitive from the minute we wet its bum.
It was seeing those big old KT boats that brought it all back to me!

[QUOTE=jackiewilson;3073492]

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Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM

Just tell me what you need Gene———— four pot?——- 6 pot Continental?——- Radical Radial?——- whatever your requirements are, just call out my name——— and you know wherever I am——-i’ll come running!!!!!
Got a fair to middling contact in the guy who runs the GIECO boat—— you know the one——- Stevie Curtis and James Shepard jockey the thing in unlimited offshore———— his name is Gary Stray and he’s married to my eldest granddaughter!!! Knows all sorts of folk in the aircraft industry, give me the nod and a list of bits ———— I’m certain we can get you the “MALIBUSTANG” ——— UP AND AWAY.
IVE GOT HALF A FECKIN AIRPLANE UNDER MY BENCH———- Gary collects all things aircraft———waiting for him to arrange collection———- he was even up in the Goodwood Spitfire earlier this summer.
Failing all else Gene, I could always fernagle you something in the shop.

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Jackie--thanks for the generous offers--

This is an issue that has been well known by Piper Aircraft, The FAA, and the OWNERS$$$ for over thirty years---

I am presently waiting for a response from Piper Aircraft in Vero Beach, FL--

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You Call Gary in Stuart——- or Mark in port st Lucie—— or better still, get one of the specialist welders that abound all over florida to make a new set up . Welding is not rocket science any more Gene. Let’s know how you get on——— Mark has a really brilliant Welder works for him, Forest——- together we are “INVINCIBLE “.!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

You Call Gary in Stuart——- or Mark in port st Lucie—— or better still, get one of the specialist welders that abound all over florida to make a new set up . Welding is not rocket science any more Gene. Let’s know how you get on——— Mark has a really brilliant Welder works for him, Forest——- together we are “INVINCIBLE “.!!!!!!!

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Being “INVINCIBLE” doesn’t work with the “FEDERAL” aviation authority. (FAA)

This is an issue that has been identified for over 31 years—-yet

’ All repairs must be done in a FAA approved repair station’

The ‘EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT’ category has become very popular —ask Leonard Wolfe—

Ah, sounds like it’s a closed shop———- jobs for the boys————old pals act ?
Why charge only ten dollars for something ——- when. without really trying, you can charge a thousand?
seem to have heard this one before Gene———- all smoke and illusion——- if you have the paperwork, you can do it !
Piece of paper never made a man better at what he does!
Same as best soldiers never went to Sandhurst or West Point——— but it sure as hell helped if you did!

I recently picked up a whole bunch of aircraft bearings, nuts and bolts, Rose joints——— just because they were “ OUT OF DATE” ———- cost me nothing——- but a pack of six bearings and six Rose joints were priced over a thousand dollars.
Guess its the price you pay for the love of flying!
Just like the love of living Gene———- pharmaceuticals bot you by The CAJONES.

Well, that’s been one hell of a day. Delivered Jilly to the hospital a little before 7am.
Came home, took the dog for a walk in the forest ——— back before nine. Did the car boot sale ( it is Thursday you know) . Had an hour in the shop then an early lunch.
Got a call to say Jilly was in surgery and everything was going as planned——- decided to take a look at COYS auction of fine cars that was taking place on Fontwell race course.
Mostly Jaguars, Acouple of Aston’s, Ferrari’s and Rollers.
Gotta go, back later.

Intended to stay at Coys for the actual auctioning of the cars——- phonecall from the boss——- “GET ME OUT OF HERE, NOW”———- It was 15:30 hrs ! Left Fontwell ——- wheels spinning—— in kind of a hurry.
By 16:30 hrs I had her back home, feet up on the settee directing operations, happy to do so I may add. Just something about the old biddy that I miss when she’s not here——-

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Just a few of the cars being auctioned off today at Fontwell——— never did get to see even one of the damned things sold.

I am posting this link for Phill (Ron54).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223125395067

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Originally Posted by gene lanham

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Question of the day...What do Gene (above) and Jackie (below) have in common...??

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