In 2009 we set out to conclusively answer the following question... Can a vehicle be built which can go directly downwind, faster than the wind (DDWFTTW), powered only by the wind, steady state? On 3 July 2010 we established a world record by going directly downwind at 2.8 times the true wind speed with the Blackbird. Now we have begun to modify the Blackbird with the intention of going directly UP-wind faster than the wind - steady state.
Monday, October 26, 2009
All those wood pieces you see will now get the foam and fiber/carbon treatment for torsional rigidity. We'll glue 1" foam against the webs, run a hotwire along the wood to reduce the foam to the appropriate thickness and then wrap first with glass cloth, and then with carbon and again glass for additional stiffness as needed.
