Which twin-Merlin powered LSR car is this?

I think that it was probably R39 fitted in Bluebird K4, the boat, in 1951

Hi,

Actually it was R29 in S1595 when it won the contest, R25 was in the ‘back-up’ aircraft S1596, according to the Air Ministry log. S1596 then took the first speed record the same day. S1595 with R27 pushed that record higher later, as you say.

Both R25 and R27 survive, one in the RAF museum, the other in the Science Museum

When was the last time any of the R’s was running……??

Bean Industries Tipton West Midlands ( Black country )

When taken over by Standard /Triumph in the 1950’s , on top of wages , foundry workers were also allowed 18 pints of Beer per day to combat the hot dusty working conditions …..This allowance started at 7.30 am !!!!!!!:D

My Dad was a “Roller” at Merry Hill Steel Works (now a very large Shopping Mall) also in the midlands and he was allowed 2 Pints per-hour to counter the sweat-rate of his work. The Mill had a Bench for the workers outside the pub across the road.

Wouldn’t it be great if the remains could be rediscovered and exhumed and a restoration based around the surviving parts, in a similar fashion to Parry-Thomas’ Babs and Campbell’s Bluebird K7.

foundry workers were also allowed 18 pints of Beer per day to combat the hot dusty working conditions …..This allowance started at 7.30 am !!!!!!!:D

Per day?! What was production output like?!:eek:

Thunderbolt was one hell of a beast, even appears to have had airbrakes (of the aerodynamic kind), before many aircraft had them
Some info and pic of its charred remains here, scroll dpown to near bottom, http://www.simplyclassics.co.nz/blog/11_Smoking%20a%20Grey%20Pipe%202.html

The story goes that the car was lost in a warehouse fire after it had been on display at the NZ Centennial Exhibition in 1939. Presumably exhibited sans-engines, which would certainly reduce the weight somewhat

Sadly, it appears that the Kiwis burned it!

Both R25 and R27 survive, one in the RAF museum, the other in the Science Museum

So what, exactly, did our brethren in the Land of the Long White Cloud burn?

Hi,

Actually it was R29 in S1595 when it won the contest, R25 was in the ‘back-up’ aircraft S1596, according to the Air Ministry log. S1596 then took the first speed record the same day. S1595 with R27 pushed that record higher later, as you say.

Both R25 and R27 survive, one in the RAF museum, the other in the Science Museum

No Merlins in this one Rick.

George Eyston’s ‘Thunderbolt’, powered by two Rolls-Royce R engines.

In that photograph during construction at Bean Industries, the nearside engine is R27 which was the engine that powered S1595 when it set the World Speed Record in 1931, and the offside engine is R25 which had powered the same aircraft to victory in the Schneider Trophy two weeks beforehand.

Bean Industries Tipton West Midlands ( Black country )

When taken over by Standard /Triumph in the 1950’s , on top of wages , foundry workers were also allowed 18 pints of Beer per day to combat the hot dusty working conditions …..This allowance started at 7.30 am !!!!!!!:D

Sadly, it appears that the Kiwis burned it! 🙁

Land speed record holder 16.09.38 – 8 wheels, 6 tons @ 357.50mph

No Merlins in this one Rick.

George Eyston’s ‘Thunderbolt’, powered by two Rolls-Royce R engines.