MPH record???

[speeddemon]

Re: MPH record???

IIRC, there was a plan to do just that, but with Tsunami. I can't remember where I saw that plan, though (perhaps a Sport Aviation article many years ago).

The three view drawings were in the August 1983 (or something close to that) issue of Air Classics--had three articles: One on the building of Dreadnought, one on the construction of Wildfire, and one on the concept of Tsunami.

Still one of the best 'single issues' of Air Comix ever.

[VR-92]

Re: MPH record???

At Reno that year in the late afternoon, Lyle took off and during a test flight made two passes for "calibration purposes" over the pit area in excess of 541 MPH. I still believe to this day that no matter what else I have worked on the Rare Bear when properly maintained and fully healthy is the absolute beast that nothing else can touch. Part of this comes from standing at the end of the runway during the passes with a radio to call out the reminder Nitrous on, when level and Nitrous Off, when going out the other end. When the plane flew over me it literally sucked the air out of me. I have been on the pylons on a Sunday Gold before and nothing can compare the Bear that day straight and level sucking everything in, burning it and spitting it back out.

Too cool. Love the info.

[AAFO_WSagar]

Video

John, All...

Though I just noticed that the store on the RB site is closed right now, there *was* a DVD for sale back when I was running the software for the store. (I was only running the tech end, do not know if the DVD is still available)

The DVD had a tiny bit of some video that I shot in April a few years back but was primarily footage taken at Las Vegas New Mexico during the speed record flights.

Again, don't know if it is still available, it's more or less a "home video" of the event but it's priceless none the less!

Wayne

[shorebird]

Re: MPH record???

Excellent information BellCobraIV, very interesting stuff....Thanks

[Jim58]

Re: MPH record???

Mr. Slack
Thank you for sharing your stories of your experience with my personal favorite race aircraft. everytime I read your posts I learn something new.
thats why I love this forum soooo much
Jim

[Ron101502]

Re: MPH record???

Thanks, John this is great stuff!

Ron Henning

[stuntflyr]

Re: MPH record???

The records are actually "held" by the pilot. The owner/pilot of Dago Red that actually set the 15KM record is Frank Taylor. I believe that the notation for airplane type is P-51D.

Frank's description of the sonic harmonic within the airplane as the longerons "sang" is pretty indicitive of a full scale effort.

The record had been held for 20 plus years by Jackie Cochran in a P-51C. At the 1973 15KM attempt I was granted an audience when I announced to her that I was being taught to fly by my father in the family Beech Staggerwing, an airplane that she was well known to have raced. I asked her how she was able to maintain the proper track so as to arrive over the timing cameras so the effort could become official, as Lyle was having very poor luck at it. She said it was "classified". I didn't press it. What did I know, I was 13.

The 15KM record is not a walk in the park to break, as Lyle Shelton spent a weekend in Palm Springs in 1973 trying to break that very record, unsuccessfully. I'm sure every pilot that one would talk to about record attempts would count them as pretty darn hard to break.

Chris...

[Ken Dwelle]

Re: MPH record???

John-

Those are a couple of the coolest posts I have ever read on this forum.

-Ken

[Jason S.]

Re: MPH record???

Wow, after reading thru this thread I feel lucky in that I must be one of the few owners of the Rear video that’s being talked about here. I picked it up a few years ago at the Bear pit, and I like it very much. It’s called Fly Fast, & it looks like crew member Ray Luts had a lot to do with the making of it. It’s a cool 50 min. documentary on the Bear & the record run. If more are made I highly recommend buying it. It’s a must for the hard core race collector.

[Race 77]

Re: MPH record???

The Rare Bear Store will re-open soon. We are finishing inventory since returning from Reno. We have plenty of the DVD's and VHS's that you are talking about.

Charlie Brand
Tuna Graphics,Inc
Rare Bear Web Store

https://www.rarebear.com

https://www.tunagraphics.com

[BellCobraIV]

Re: MPH record???

I asked her how she was able to maintain the proper track so as to arrive over the timing cameras so the effort could become official, as Lyle was having very poor luck at it. She said it was "classified". I didn't press it. What did I know, I was 13.

Chris...

Chris,

You are right that the pilot holds the record, but we all know the planes also get the glory as well.
As you know I also had the opportunity to talk with her on the occassion of the same record attempt. and it was pretty cool she was a tough lady and didn't give any quarter to the young male pilot that was after her record. Jacquie Cochran did not tell me anything different than what you were told, however one of the engineers that was with the then "U.S. Thrift 7 1/4 percent Special", was told of a pretty sophisticated for the time she set the record, military radar guidance device her husband had arranged for. For race fans that don't know her husband was very influential in government circles. She also stated during that event that the P-51C she had flown was disassembled and in storage somewhere in a warehouse they owned. Don't know where though, but if I did I still wouldn't tell.

[Unregistered]

Re: MPH record???

One more question; can planes like the bear and dago and other race planes do loops and rolls like an undedicated race plane? I saw Howard Pardue preform in his bearcat at alliance and he sure put on a show. I was just wondering if the clipped wings and other race mods effected the plane in that way.[/QUOTE]

Yes, they can, at least for a clipped wing Mustang: Roll rate is a little less due to smaller ailerons. Loops are fine, seems to get a little "nibbly" sooner. Just fly the loop a bit faster and with a little less G in the pull.
VL

[stuntflyr]

Re: MPH record???

Chris,

You are right that the pilot holds the record, but we all know the planes also get the glory as well.
As you know I also had the opportunity to talk with her on the occassion of the same record attempt. and it was pretty cool she was a tough lady and didn't give any quarter to the young male pilot that was after her record. Jacquie Cochran did not tell me anything different than what you were told, however one of the engineers that was with the then "U.S. Thrift 7 1/4 percent Special", was told of a pretty sophisticated for the time she set the record, military radar guidance device her husband had arranged for. For race fans that don't know her husband was very influential in government circles. She also stated during that event that the P-51C she had flown was disassembled and in storage somewhere in a warehouse they owned. Don't know where though, but if I did I still wouldn't tell.

U.S. 7 1/4% Thrift Special, everyone needs a Savings and Loan to sponsor your ship! Lyle has had more sponsorship through the years than about anyone, and to read some of the posts around this site, wow! If they only knew.
It was a neat experience, back then. Your Dad and Bob Downey going for the records and Sam Hanks and Vince Barnett cruising the place, and Jackie. Heck, Harry Gann came up with us from Huntinton Beach. Those were the days. I have about thirty autographs from Z and LeRoy Penhall to about everyone else that was there that day, and the Time to Climb record days, on an old Bill Cox Bearcat press release (why don't teams put those out anymore, or do they?). I can think of that time as if it were only yesterday. God, did I just say that?

I heard the same about the nav system, Floyd Odlum was a powerful man.

I thought the Mustang was destroyed in a bail-out by another pilot. Maybe that is what is in the storage?
Are you sure you don't know?

Chris...

[SpinB]

Re: MPH record???

Bl@@dy H3ll...who needs a museum! Folks..it don't get ANY better!!

Sad thing, it just makes you want more!!!!

[h34race]

Re: MPH record???

Thank you all for setting me straight knew I saw something on the paint of dago just didn't know what part of the record,