Mercury Through The Years...

**FUJIMO** · 06-05-2020, 07:03 PM

**FUJIMO** · 06-05-2020, 07:08 PM

**FUJIMO** · 06-05-2020, 07:09 PM

**FUJIMO** · 06-05-2020, 07:11 PM

**FUJIMO** · 06-05-2020, 07:33 PM

**FUJIMO** · 06-05-2020, 07:35 PM

**FUJIMO** · 06-05-2020, 07:38 PM

**WaterZebra** · 06-05-2020, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

Wow! What's the story about this one?

**Mark75H** · 06-05-2020, 09:36 PM

One of several Merc tried from about 1960 to 70 or so. Hoped it would be a component in a speed record, but it never worked. I suspect they were "upstairs" at Lake X when things were cleaned out. Early on, the motors definetly didn't have the torque to push that much prop diameter. Not real sure why it never worked later.

**bernie** · 06-06-2020, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by Mark75H

One of several Merc tried from about 1960 to 70 or so. Hoped it would be a component in a speed record, but it never worked. I suspect they were "upstairs" at Lake X when things were cleaned out. Early on, the motors definetly didn't have the torque to push that much prop diameter. Not real sure why it never worked later.

It sits in the reception area at Hi Perf on the hill last time I saw it. Have a feeling that when Brunswick took over projects like this were trash canned. Maybe Mike Butler can fill us in.

**Mark75H** · 06-06-2020, 12:11 PM

The others appeared mysteriously in Florida. They were obviously older and didn't have the skeg in the center.

**GENE LANHAM** · 06-06-2020, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mark75H

The others appeared mysteriously in Florida. They were obviously older and didn't have the skeg in the center.

Lets ask Elmer Nord

**willabee** · 06-07-2020, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

This was built by the folks at Plt 6 in Oshkosh. Elmer Croissant was the engineer in charge of this design. It was built for the aborted "flying boat" speed record attempt headed by Dr. Lippich.

I think it was late 1968, I happened to go down to Lake X when they were messin' with that project. I watched them crash a model of the boat, that really disappointed the troops.

Dick Lanpheer said that several of these were built, very expensive.

**bernie** · 06-07-2020, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by willabee

This was built by the folks at Plt 6 in Oshkosh. Elmer Croissant was the engineer in charge of this design. It was built for the aborted "flying boat" speed record attempt headed by Dr. Lippich.

I think it was late 1968, I happened to go down to Lake X when they were messin' with that project. I watched them crash a model of the boat, that really disappointed the troops.

Dick Lanpheer said that several of these were built, very expensive.

Was standing on the beach at St. Louis one year and noticed Elmer Croissant not to far away, I knew him quite well as we made all the gears over at Plant 4. He looked like an expectant father, I walked over and asked him if he was OK.
His reply - and I think this was the year the T4's were running - He says to me "you know, you can make all the horsepower in the world, but it all boils down to a very brief point to point contact on the gears in the lower unit. I think I have a right to be a bit worried." Well as far as I know his gears never failed us.

**2us70** · 06-07-2020, 10:45 AM

Did anyone ever actually drive that "flying boat". In pictures it looked pretty scary to me.

Originally Posted by willabee

This was built by the folks at Plt 6 in Oshkosh. Elmer Croissant was the engineer in charge of this design. It was built for the aborted "flying boat" speed record attempt headed by Dr. Lippich.

I think it was late 1968, I happened to go down to Lake X when they were messin' with that project. I watched them crash a model of the boat, that really disappointed the troops.

Dick Lanpheer said that several of these were built, very expensive.