The old and the new, side by side
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, May 17, 2010
Drive axle ratchets
Just in time for our tests on the NewJ runways -- the new drive axle ratchets. Just like the previous and less robust) versions, these act as a form of 'differential' to keep the axle from binding as we turn and allow us to reverse them to tow the vehicle without the prop spinning.
