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Old 09-22-2020, 01:21 AM   #3 (permalink)
JulianEdgar
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People don't seem to be being very brave - 63 views and only 5 votes!

Land Speed Record cars of the 1930s, 1950s and 1960s are among the most streamlined cars ever produced, so very relevant to those for whom ultra low drag shapes are important.

From a contemporary pamphlet:

Bluebird's shape is of advanced aerodynamic design, evolved from a long series of wind tunnel experiments at the Imperial College of Science & Technology in London.

Bluebird was constructed by an extension of a method employed in the aircraft industry. Absolute accuracy was paramount; to achieve this Motor Panels [the maker] evolved a technique whereby the car was built over a heavy steel base plate mounted in concrete.

Four jacking points, one just inside each wheel, carried the body whilst it was being assembled, and formed the main rig and datum. Wooden formers were made to maintain close limits and uniformity on individual panels. These formers were used for shaping and flanging the alloy sheets. Where panels had to be shaped to match the outer contour of the car, wooden ''egg box'' jigs were employed.

The problem of skinning was solved by hand-forming the outer panels to the diaphragms and stiffeners already in position. After fitting, the individual skins were riveted into position. Particular care was given to the smoothness of the surface to avoid unnecessary air turbulence while the car is travelling at high speeds.
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