Spirit Of America Sonic Arrow (Formula Shell LSRV) - Craig Breedlove's Supersonic Challenger
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- čas přidán 9. 08. 2019
- The story of Craig Breedlove’s Sonic Arrow jet car, and how the world’s fastest car crash and a certain amount of bad luck may have prevented him setting the first supersonic land speed record.
If you want to know more about Craig Breedlove and Sonic Arrow than I can fit into a 15 minute video, there are a couple of books you should check out!
(Disclaimer: I get a commission every time you purchase a product through my affiliate links below.)
Speed Duel by Samuel Hawley
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Ultimate Speed: The Fast Life and Extreme Cars of Racing Legend Craig Breedlove by Samuel Hawley
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FURTHER READING
I buy a lot of books! Here are a selection of books that have inspired me or have been useful in my research.
Thrust: The Remarkable Story of One Man's Quest for Speed by Richard Noble
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Railton: Man Of Speed by Karl Ludvigsen
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Goldenrod: The Resurrection of America's Speed King by John Baechtel
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The History Of Speed by Martin Roach
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Donald Campbell: The Man Behind The Mask by David Tremayne
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Bluebird and the Dead Lake: The Classic Account of how Donald Campbell broke the World Land Speed Record by John Pearson
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Leap into Legend: Donald Campbell and the Complete Story of the World Speed Records by Steve Holter
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Bluebird CN7: The Inside Story of Donald Campbell's Last Land Speed Record Car by Donald Stevens
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Parry Thomas: The First Driver to be Killed in Pursuit of the Land Speed Record by Hugh Tours
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Quest For Speed: The Epic Saga of Record-Breaking On Land by Barry John
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The Fast Set: Three Extraordinary Men and Their Race for the Land Speed Record by Charles Jennings
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Man Against the Salt by Harvey Shapiro
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Infinity Over Zero: Meditations on Maximum Velocity by Cole Coonce
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Speedquest: Inside the Blue Flame by Richard Keller
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Crusader: John Cobb's ill-fated quest for speed on water by Steve Holter
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Stills and footage from unknown / uncredited sources used under Fair Use / Fair Deal.
Oxygen Garden by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: chriszabriskie.com/divider/
Artist: chriszabriskie.com/ - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Craig Breedlove holds the record for the fast corner ever made in terms of sheer speed. A record absolutely NO ONE will ever break...and live to tell about it.
I don't believe this record was even recorded.
I wonder how the record could be quantified, speed/turn radius-wise
orbit?
No Crummy Music..
No SHITTY COMPUTER GENERATED VOICE!!!! THANK YOU FOR THIS
Always loved how the Spirit of America Sonic Arrow looked. Probably the most beautiful LSR car IMO!
В интернете написано это мотоцикл
Brent even gave a nod to the '50s land barges with those enormous fins over the rear wheels😁😁
I can't believe the car leaned over like that and did the huge uturn and both the car and Breedlove survived! Usually at those speeds it's death and game over. What a legend.
ZZ, yeah, world's fastest 'U' turn.
Crazy!
Must have been within an ace of a rollover, and we all know what that would have meant for Craig. Even with all the bad luck he had on this endeavour I would still rate him one very lucky guy.
zzodr He must be a better designer and constructor than a lot of people give him credit for to build a car to survive that. If he had better sponsorship his ancillary equipment ie radios he would never have run that day. Why was it the American government never put money in they always have money for wars.
It means his aerodynamic theory was totally correct !!
What a Guy !
Breedlove also survived an earlier crash in 1964, when his parachute failed at over 500 mph. The car ended up half submerged in the lake.
The sportsmanship between Breedlove and Green was amazing. Not only did the Thrust team let Breedlove inspect their vehicle prior to their record run but Breedlove was also one of the first people to congratulate Green after his record run.
He was a truly honourable guy, may he rest in peace
A freaking U-TURN on TWO WHEELS at 675MPH!!!!!!!!!!!
ON FILM!!!!!!!!!
Worlds Fastest Ueey
Almost better than supersonic! I mean, lots of people can attempt supersonic runs....but good luck finding funding to beat that one!
That was epic
It was like a glitch in physics. Flipped a bitch at 600mph, wtf did I just see.
Fastest and most imppresive U-Turn in the History of the world.
Craig is a total superstar! I've been fortunate enough to meet Richard Noble & Andy Green, would have loved to meet Craig, so sad about his recent passing. A great man
I was fortunate to meet Richard Noble shortly after he had taken the LSR in Thrust II I was a senior engineering inspector at the factory that was making the engine for his failed ARV Super 2 airplane. What a gentleman! He chatted to me for over a quarter of an hour and treated me like an equal, made my year and an experience I’ll never forget!
@@karlwithak.He just means Richard wasn't up himself as he was somewhat a celebrity then.
I got to hang out with Breedlove at his home in Rio Vista in the late 80's. I was about 12 and my dad was there to discuss some unrelated work. I didn't know anything about Craig, and he took the time to tell me a little bit about himself, show me some models and pictures, and describe his 1964 crash. He was really kind and unpretentious, and you'd never guess that he was one of the fastest men in the world. Thanks Craig, and thanks dad for dragging me along.
Cool afternoon
The sonic arrow was the most beautiful out if the racers
*Almost dies*
a few minutes later: "Meh, you guys wanna go to lunch? "
Legend
awesome shit
"Worlds fastest "U" turn... !
What does ”Meh” mean?
@@SimonEkendahl Meh is an interjection used as an expression of indifference or boredom. It is often regarded as a verbal equivalent of a shrug of the shoulders. The use of the term "meh" shows that the speaker is apathetic, uninterested, or indifferent to the subject at hand
Wasn't it Breedlove, after an accident in Spirit, said something about setting himself on fire?
The narrator makes the story spell binding. Years ago I drove over to Rio Vista one day to see what ever I could see of the shop. I think i5 was occupied by a plumbing concern or the like with no hint of former purpose. So glad to hear this story.
A few days before Thrust SSC made the record I was fortunate enough to make a trip with my son out to the Black Rock desert in 1997. We spent the day watching both cars make a couple runs. To this day it was one of my best memories and one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. It was awesome!
This was history in the making. There can only be one
On which car where you betting to win?
@@zerocool6452 I never liked the let's overpower it to make it work concept thrustssc I prefer the let's work smarter not harder theory Sonic arrow
@@mirichclan9385 I get what you mean but it was necessary because of it's size and weight, they said in the video that it dwarfed Sonic arrow. Despite being less powerful they said it would be faster but they wrecked it so there is no proof but in an alternate reality it could be the one setting the record. It's a shame they never got the chance.
@@zerocool6452 yes it's sad to think about the fact that in our lifetime we may never see two cars battle for the record again
Craig Breedlove, a true American innovator and speed champion. He gave it his all!
Im British and I was dissapointed he didnt get the record after all that effort. Im glad Thrust SSC got the record of course, but it would have marvellous he had upped it by a small margin. Bad luck for a true hero.
the ssc project was absolutely massive compared to breedlove but his smaller team nearly had it.
Always had huge admiration for Breedlove after marveling at his entries in the Guinness Book of Records I usually received every Christmas as a child.
Roger, yeah, I would have loved to see Steve Fossette take a shot at breaking your dudes record.
The competition was way-cool.
The British racing team did an awesome job!
Couldn't agree more with that sentiment!
@G Michael Leonard I am absolutely staggered that he didn't radio back to confirm that crosswind reading. Total amateur hour. Its a sad story but really self inflicted.
The quest for the land speed record is one of , if not, the most iconic stories in record breaking history.
Thrust SSC broke the sound barrier on land!
Incredible!
Chuck Yeager would have loved that.
I think Breedlove would have succeeded but, time and money are fleeting.
Great vid.👍
Chuck Yeager was well alive when that happened
@@derfvcderfvc8714 Guess I should have paid more attention to the direction of my wording.
But, yeah your right. He was very much alive.
As a Brit, I'm incredibly proud of the British team's achievements and professionalism but Breedlove has been a hero of mine for as long as I've been alive. In fact, if I ever host a heavenly fantasy dinner, he definitely gets an invitation. He perfectly embodies the daredevil attitude I sincerely love. I really wish he'd had more financial support and given the SSC greater competition.
Incidentally, is there anything to say about the fact that the McLaren Maverick shared a similar design approach to Sonic Arrow. If the 5yo "me" were to design an LSR car, it'd look like Sonic Arrow.
RIP Breedlove.
That is a very sad story.
We knew that Noble was up against competition but at the time, I don’t remember it being presented in this type of way with the insight into Breedlove’s problems.
(Guess it’s not good PR)
One chance conversation & it’s all go again.
Still in awe today.
Great presentation.
Thank you.
Thanks for your comments - glad you enjoyed it!
I lived near the Rio Vista facility where The Spirit of America had been built near Hwy 4 but never knew the whole story until this video.
Thanks for sharing this cool piece of history.
You've got to have huge respect for these type of men. It's on their dreams that humanity advances. True pioneers.
I remember Craig Breedlove setting records , I believe, with his wife in a conventional car and in the coolest rocket car in the late '60s to early '70s. Good to see him still in the game.
I remember watching this as a kid, just amazing how someone can sit in and drive a car 800 miles an hour.
I had the pleasure of meeting Craig Breedlove in the 1960s after he set the land speed record in the original Spirit of America. Humble guy, a true gentleman and DRIVEN!!
Breedlove has been a hero of mine since the 1960s. He showed class and courage in the face of what had to be crushing disappointment.
If you ever get the chance to meet him take it! Had the opportunity to go to lunch and had a shop tour with him, he is absolutely one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. Go meet your hero.
As a proud Brit I'm in awe of people like these that wish to push the boundries of human capabilities and am amazed no rich American business man has put his hand in his pocket to get the record back. It's the true spirit of competition between our two great nations where there is no loses only.....we'll get you next time.
And 23 years later,the record still stands.
In 1974,I went 120 mph on my 1973 Yamaha RD 350.
I weighed all of 100 lbs and that was quite a thrill ride as the wind was pushing me back off of the bike and I was barely able to hold my grip and had to let off the throttle or else risk being blown off of it.
I had a dark green RD400 and then many RZ350'S and banshee quads...I still have a motorcycle 🏍 landspeed bike project a Suzuki RE5 1975 model in the shop a 2stroke rotary that is water and oil cooled. Adding a Garrett turbo and wanted to go fuel injection and a lil squirter of nitrous for a goal of 200mph, when I became disabled 2003..lol plus it's a small market...lol..from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 🤠
@@billallen4793: Very cool.
We live in Rio Vista. Craig Breedlove’s shop is less than 200 yards from where I sit. To us he is a legend and a hero. Rock on, Craig!
I just did the math, looks like he is 84 years old. Surely he isn't working on a new project?
@@nunyabidness4946 He didn't pay for services and to be honest no one wants to help him. You can only burn bridges for so long till Karma gets you.
@@artworkbysteve1 he was hoping for success, robbing Peter to pay Paul until he got the record. Then I'm sure his plan was to pay his bills with sponsor 💰 money....from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 🤠
@@billallen4793 Gambling on others labor and talents is why he lost. Those people won't forget. I was lucky, I was warned not to do projects for him . Karma prevailed again .
@@artworkbysteve1 yeah it's NEVER a good idea...
I'm an American and yes, sad that we didn't reach that record. But I have to admit that I absolutely adore the Thrust SSC and was in awe of it's groundbreaking achievement (still am). Plus she looks so much better. ✌🇺🇸🇬🇧
Thanks! I'm a Brit and after seeing this I'm really sad Craig didn't get a decent shot at the record. Just about everything that could go wrong, DID go wrong for him. Even more amazing when you consider he designed the car from his own head...totally different to how the SSC team worked.
Better than what? The Thrust?
Well as the saying goes, there's no accounting for taste.
Excellent Documentary... I broke down in the 1980s in the desert near Bonneville in a high mileage Volvo for 3 days.
It was 110degrees in the day and cold at night. I was able to fix it! An electrical short in the trunk to the fuel pump.
Breedlove is a legend, for being brave to the point of insanity like the original record setters when everything was can an known quantity. He's also a good sport a rare thing.
I was in Vegas when record was broken, taxi driver told me, normally its Yanks have massive power and Brits, smaller tuned motors. Brits took this very seriously driver ex RAF fighter pilot. Great job.
Just popped up on my feed, great video editing and narration.
Im too old now but I used to race bikes (still have a street legal road course racecar I drive) and those speeds are amazing. I've been up to 162 MPH on a bike and the weight of the air hitting you is unbelievable. Even lying prone it takes all your strength to hang on. So it's not just shape / aerodynamics, the structure and bracing have to be engineered for those loads.
These people were amazing in their drive and knowledge.
Craig Breedlove, total hero and legend. Deep respect. Love and peace.
I love how this video opens with “in 1990 he bought 2 rocket engines”... casual you know, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Wait... what? You mean it's not normal to just buy two jet engines?
Let me check the shopping list.
Milk
Bread
Skittles
2 x jet engines
Yup, checks out.
Jet engines, not rocket...
On one of the videos about "Bloodhound", I saw Breedlove come for a visit. When he saw what they had done, and what they were planning to achieve, he seemed to be resigned to the fact that his time was over, and he couldn't compete anymore. He is still a hero, and a true sportsman and gentleman.
What a remarkable project, and incredible man. The car was just beautiful! So sad that he just ran out of money.
I've never wanted anyone to succeed more than Craig Breedlove and Sonic Arrow.
Sadly, we Brits were one step ahead😁
@@WeeShoeyDugless You're 5 steps behind. You still have a King.
@@JayBee-cr8jm
Haha, wouldnt you just love to have our history😂😂😂
@@WeeShoeyDugless History is all you have now that your empire is gone.
You used to own the world and the seven seas. Now you have Megan, Harry and his frozen todger.
@@JayBee-cr8jm
Can't you just feeeeel the envy and bitterness in your posts😂😂
If it hadn't been for the Brits, you'd all be speaking Spanish, instead you speak a bastardised version of ENGLISH.
Bet you hate to say that word when someone asks what language you speak😂😂
I saw the original Spirit of America back in the '60s...really impressive.
If I won the lottery I'd buy that car and let Craig Breedlove finish his dream. I've been a fan of his since I was a kid. I remember reading about him in 'The Weekly Reader' in grade school. Sweet memories.
The Weekly Reader - ah yes, remember that too ! .....seems like it was designed to get us kids interested in science.
true .. breedlove could do it .. but take stock that he's older now. i would say we would need a youngster to handle that beast. but id bet it could be done.... bring back SPIRIT OF AMERCA
Met him years ago at a IMSA race at Texas World Speedway. He let us sit with him in front of his motor home, and told us stories for at least half an hour. One of the most memorable times I ever had at a race.
Craig Breedlove is partially the reason that the push for the 1K MPH is still so important, because if there was one Craig Breedlove then there’s a chance that there could be another and the world is scared witless of people with that amount of determination, like his nemesis Art Arfons, for example.....True legend.
Breedlove is a legend.
Bonneville Speed Week 1990 was an impromptu meeting of the giants in out pit. I was crewing for Al Teague when Art Arfons came to visit. He was scheduled to run his latest two-wheeled jet car after SW. A few minutes later Craig drove up in his pickup & trailer with two jet engines in tow. As we were all shooting the shit Richard Noble & Andy Green wandered in. That was an amazing day in LSR history. We stayed on to run safety for Art & on the 3rd pass a stabilizer caught a soft spot at about 300 & the car went vertical & crashed. We only ran 398mph that year.
NZ Salt Flats Racer Only. ONLY?!!
@@localcrew "Only" might sound a bit strange for that speed but we hung out there for two years trying to break into the 400 range & finally went 432 at Speed Week 91 when the salt was better.
There's infinitely more glory in that U-turn than in ANY land speed record.
Fair play. Serious driving.
I second that.
@@emlix1 WAS IT?? YOU THINK HE WAS STEERING THAT THING ? THEN WHY NOT ''STRAIGHT-UP AND DRIVE RIGHT'' HE WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY TO SURVIVE THAT
If nothing else that's one record Breedlove will probably never loose.
Ummm...nope... :-P
He should have tried to do it twice to set a record for the World's Fastest U-Turn!
A really good video, thank you for not spoiling it with "music". I remember Breedlove's attempts in the early 1960's alongside Art Arfons. He said when he crashed into the lake his greatest concern was that he could not swim! Sad he lost so much on the way.
Alfonso was awesome to watch at the tractor 🚜 pulls running his green twin engine monster....from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 🤠
Breedlove is the man! I heard many stories about his AMC racing record breaking days.
That driving showed INCREDIBLE presence of mind.
Amazing story, I never knew much about this car at. All to think, he relied on his gut instinct about this car and it’s aerodynamics. 675 MPH and a possible calculated 900 MPH is crazy. It makes sense why the Thrust SSC took two engines to go that fast.
I remember in 1997 I searched for articles of 'Spirit of America', Hard to find anything. I watched it live when Trust SSC broke the sound barrier. I hope Craig Breedlove gets recognition for his and his teams efforts.
I remember that Popular Mechanics ran an excellent article on this and the Thrust SSC.
I'm a big fan of Breedlove, just felt he needed one of the big car or aero companies to back him technically to give him that extra edge. Mind you he did pretty well on instinct alone.
Most of the documentaries I've seen, stop at the new British record. Thank you for finishing the story. It's not glamorous like Hollywood, but sometimes you need to know your limits. And I'm glad we still have Craig Breedlove around.
I'm embarrassed to say this story choked me...I can understand the passion he must have felt...and the crushing disappointment...I had a flash of fantasy of being a part of this quest and more fantasy of being able to have giving him the funds to achieve his goals.. Breedlove was a man with a dream...to have been able to help a man of conviction to achieve his singular goal would've been a lifetime memory...to help a hero win a personal victory that affects a very specific and fascinating history.
Exact same here!!
I guess in a way it was...old school crowdfunding...but the internet would've helped exponentially...woulda, coulda I guess.
HUGE respect for Breedlove!! translated by a beautiful documentary.
That was really well put together and presented. I'm a fan of plain English and the video fits that perfectly.
It needed background music and a laugh track 🎶 😁
Kib Kib k
God
English is ALWAYS changing. U can't change that fact!
@Aniquin when did i talk like one? I thought my comment was both truthful and clear!
I had always hoped Breedlove would have brought the speed record back to the USA record books !!
I remember growing up watching Wide World of Sports and them showing his speed runs on TV .
Thank you for bringing this story up to date, guys like Campbell, Breedlove, Noble and all their predecessors are real "Boys Own" hero's.
I have massive respect for Craig 🇬🇧👌👍❤️🇺🇸
As a young boy in the 1960's I had become very interested in cars and one day I came across a book about the Spirit of America and Breedlove and I knew I wanted to race cars. I grew up and my enthusiasm for cars and even fast cars didn't change much but my dreams of racing changed. I could never have afforded to do it even if I continued to want to do it. These days me and my Subaru might go a little above the speed limit but I haven't broken or even approached any records.
One of the best looking modern land speed vehicles to be produced.
Thank you for this I never knew what happened to Breedlove
As a scout leader, I built a pine wood derby car to resemble sonic arrow back in 98ish.. I raced against all the other leaders... ironically I came in second place! :) good times! I'm still a Breedlove fan!
Things like this is what mainstream tv should do, then i would gladly pay any licensing.
Great video! I never knew the car actually ran a few times. Craig must have some sort of lucky charm given his two high speed crashes.
Yeah, air bourn on the first crash. Crazy!
@@stevenwilliams1805 TOO EAGER, AND PAID THE PRICE. HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER, WITH HIS HUGE EXPERIENCE.
A sad end to a beautiful machine. Never quite got there and rip Steve Fossett
Very interesting story !! Never could imagine how to feel sitting in a landrocket going this fast !! 😯😵
reminds me of those saturday afternoons with Wide World of Sports shows that captured the spirit of so much more in sports than a round ball..dangerous, exciting, and arousing the imaginations of many a young person..and here i am again...
Growing up this man was a legend to me and true American hero in my preteen years and I marveled at the bravery of his accomplishments. Glad to have watched this video to fill in gaps of knowledge. Always wished that he achieved what he went after and it saddened me to watch this film knowing a mistake between 1.5 and 15 knots may have cost him his lifeong dream
An amazing man. A real shame he ran out of money. Respect from the UK.
Amazing video, as well as any documentary I have seen. So sad the guy crashed in his plane and wasn't found for a year. Hate the previous guy never got to really try for the record due to funding. Such an interesting story, thank you!
Agree, thanks for NOT putting crap music to this. Great video!
Incredible men both Noble and especially Breedlove. Not only the guts to put your life on the line for a record but to put all of your own resources into funding the project.
Class act by Breedlove on congratulating his opponent. Examples like that are unfortunately few and far between nowadays since respect and humility don't get clicks.
Thanks for the great historical look at a lifetime of human passion, commitment, and dedication to pushing the bounds of reality. I was in Denver a week ago and visited the Wings Over the Rockies Museum and was able to get right up close to this amazing vehicle.
Another great video. Craig's machine should get the prize for the coolest looking jet car.
Breedlove......what a man, what a set of "nads" and hats off to this great American icon and hero to me!!!!!
One of the few videos that I've watched from start to finish. Very interesting 👍
A clear narration, a good script, well presented & quality film. A great informative video.
I remember it well, I was following the competition the best we could back then. Craig was driving back and forth so much he needed tires for the transporter. I sent him $650 to buy tires. I still have my signed poster, letters and photo he sent me. They were supposed to put my name on the inside of the rear fairing. I don't know if they ever got it done, more important things to do I'm sure. Really fun to have participated in a small way...
World's fastest car crash, world's fastest U-turn. I remember he already had the world's longest skid in his first series when his 'chute didn't open.
When these two projects were going at it, I was rooting for Craig, remembering reading about his earlier exploits. The American hot-rodder vs. the English science team. Craig was a lot more than that, as we can see. I would have to agree that he had the better design. If only, if only...
Many thanks to Mr. Breedlove, really enjoyed watching your career.
Greatness is measured by the strength of your opponent.
A beautiful looking machine driven by a man with balls of steel.
I suspect steel would've added too much ballast, therefore: titanium balls!
I saw the car at the wings over rockys in July of this year. I looked in the cockpit and thought "you have got to be a little crazy" to strap yourself into this car!!! But hats off Breedlove for having the drive and imagination to attempt the record.
Great video. I like the format and speaking style.
Indeed. That narrator is a pro!
So without checking... one five is taken as one point five and so... well you know the rest. What a pivotal moment in history down to air traffic control standard of communicating numbers.. how differently this story may have ended if breedlove was a pilot or if the weather guy said fifteen not one five
SCREAMIN' LORD BYRON - I think the system is clear by saying one-five for fifteen. They'd say one-point-five (or I think Americans might use one-tack-five) for one-and-a-half.
The reason they don't say fifteen is because over radio it could sound like fifty whereas one-five can't be mistaken for five-zero (although in this case that would have been a moot point).
I don't think the weather guy or standards can be blamed for the error - the standards are clear and well-established.
I'd venture to suggest if there was a problem with the process, it was that the final authority to make the decision whether to run or not was left with the guy who was the pilot and eager to run, as well as having the pressure of millions of dollars in sponsorship weighing on his mind - if that call had been left with an impartial third party who was a qualified radio operator, that may have seen the ill-fated run aborted.
That is a result of bad radio discipline. 1.5 should be read as "One decimal five (or fife if you want full phonetics)" "One Five" is correct for conveying 15.
K1lostream i agree the standard was fine and breedlove was just too eager. americans also say "point" for "."
20 years in the fire service. Assigned to Station Fifteen for 6. Dispatched and radio call sign was one - five...
@@jeffreykelley8598 , yup. Standard radio protocol is to speak each digit of a number individually.
Thank you for this presentation.
11:06 Amazing sight of Thrust SSC and it’s pressure wave building up around the front, disturbing the dirt. Then all gone, as it passes thru the sound barrier.
Nicely put together and explained. Thank goodness for the pioneers.
Thanks again for another great video. Craig Breedlove is one of my favourites.
Even has a Beach Boys song!
Spirit of America!!!
Great song!
He also has the worlds longest skid marks in his first vehicle!!!
7 miles long!!!
I've been following him since the mid-'60s when I built the Sonic 1 model kit. I love his idea he had in the '70s about using a Lunar Module rocket engine but the Gov. regulated the usage of the Hydrazine fuel.
I never knew the story . Fascinating but sad . But Craig Breelove always will be America's champion . He really believes in what he was doing and I think he was correct . Steve Fossett death was a strange twist of fate not understanding the turbulence of a mountain . I do think that J 79 engine would've gone over 800 . But now will never know . Great story
*_"I do think that J 79 engine would've gone over 800"_*
There are two problems with this. First of all, Breedlove didn't do any CFD so nobody really knows what the drag rise would have been like at the speed of sound. Secondly, 48,000 hp, is unlikely to be enough to run at that speed. I don't think it would have been enough to go supersonic.
Thanks for a marvellously clear and detailed upload.
Wow, nicely done. I didn’t know that much about the Spirit of America car, seems like they would have had the record if the original engine didn’t fail.
Let’s hope somebody takes on that project again!
Great respect to Craig Breedlove and his beautifully designed car.
Woulda Coulda.... Shoulda .. wish he had managed to get it done but he didnt and i honestly think hes to old to manage it now which is sad. Hes a great guy and very personable i met him once briefly and in that short time i could tell he was a genuine guy and down to earth.
Craig called my company back in the 70s looking for investors, I spoke to him but didn’t have the funds at the time. After we finished I began to realize, wow, I just talked to Craig Breedlove and turned him down. Heck, I could have helped a little....oh well!.
NICE WORK MATE - AND VERY EFFECTIVELY PRESENTED - Many thanks
Thrust SSC looks INCREDIBLE. Amazing design!
That U-turn could probably never be done again, just a gift from God!
I grew up in Chicago, and his first Spirit, is at Museum of Science and Industry, a upturn in that car would have ended badly, and math shows that he would have done it, not to shabby for “no simulations, wind tunnels, etc.”
What’s god got to do with it?
HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT AT THAT G FORCE
A sad ending for a potential record breaker. Hope some crazy millionaire decides to buy refit and run Breedlove's dream. You never know.
It's quite possible that Breedloves project could be rescued. That's what happend when Britains Bloodhound project ran out of money. Bought by a multi-millionaire , and continues with high hopes of success.
I would never refer to someone that has the kind of money it would take to resurrect a U.S. effort to reclaim the LSR crazy. IMHO it would be way-cool if someone of the stature of Jay Leno would step in here. He could easily afford to sink $10-$15M in a project such as this. Better yet, he would be one of the rare individuals to organize and get many other enthusiasts of means to contribute to such an effort. Hell, I'd even contribute some $$'s to this if Jay were behind it. Just sayin', man... 😉 👍
Kevin Arnold who are you talking to?
Doubtful that car would do 1000+ MPH without massive alterations again. Noble is planning to set the record at 1000+ MPH with the Bloodhound.
How’s the pimple
I was volunteering with Breedlove's field mechanic and remember that Craig and the fellow who owned the hydraulic parachute packing device suddenly parted company, leaving Craig with only one packed chute. As Craig's mechanic discharged a fire extinguisher to field rig a replacement parachute packer, Craig wanting to save his one remaining packed chute for a later higher speed run, used the Fred Flintstone brake to slow the car. But to avoid dragging a nasty groove in the laboriously hand groomed (one guy found an arrowhead!) 10 mile long FOD free "track", Craig rightly drove off of the prepped course before pushing down the brake. It is my memory that it was a kicked up stone that lunched that engine.The fellow who rebuilt that engine said every compressor blade was micro balanced with its partner, "This is the best engine I ever built" [in 30 years]. I can still hear the sadness in his voice. Then it got worse. Rather than stoop to confer with any of us locals who knew the area, the Spirit of America was loaded into it's transporter at dusk and was promptly driven off, right into the mud on the edge of the playa. The Brits quickly sent one of their sturdy 6 wheel vehicles, amber light flashing, and pulled the transporter free.
Thanks so much for sharing your memories of the SOA project - lots there that I hadn't heard before. Although SOA and Thrust were locked in competition, it is heartening to hear that the teams acted so sportingly towards each other and helped out where they could. Sportsmanship (to a greater or lesser degree!) has been a feature of LSR competition over the years. Breedlove and SOA were terribly unlucky to have suffered the engine damage (interesting to hear about him running off course, and maybe picking up a stone, not the bolt my research suggested). Things might have worked out very differently...!
Very well done, concise and informative.
I've always wanted to subscribe to a channel early before it blows up. Good work.
Great video! **Awesome** effort by the SSC team!
Just looks like Breedlove was never destined to break the record. Not enough money, too many mechanical problems......
I followed the land-speed record battles the same way I followed the space program; with wonder and amazement. I thought the Sonic Arrow was the sexiest LSRV EVER!!
I hope the Bloodhound LSR gets much-needed funding so it can challenge the current record.
Another fantastic video, thank you!