http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/42...600x600Q85.jpg
I drop this in just for historical significance. OMC were into different propoltion units all through their history. Even in 1962 the gas turbine had its turn.
Printable View
http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/42...600x600Q85.jpg
I drop this in just for historical significance. OMC were into different propoltion units all through their history. Even in 1962 the gas turbine had its turn.
Side bar on marine turbines as told to me by some X Merc people. Mercury had a gas turbine running as an I/O. Karl Kiekafer wanted to take it for a ride. The water inlet was on the bottom of the boat and the engineers told Karl he had to idle out of the harbor because of the sand in shallow water. Typical Karl got in the boat and nailed the throttle. The engine picked up sand and the turbine exploded cutting the boat in half. There was Karl floating in the front half screaming at everybody and every thing. Nobody wanted to rescue him because of his tantrum.
You Merc guys go back and look at post no.120
There was a big discussion on weather or not Merc ever ran a boat with twin Twister 2's. Those sure look like Twister 2's on Reggies Glastron.
I had no idea Dr. Wankel had competitors under license. I think I may have heard something about sharing reasearch, but I always thought that was between different types of manufacturers i.e. automotive, outboards, snowmobiles, etc. This is some really good stuff. I especially liked the story about the 6 exhaust manifold.:D
This article appeared in "Petersen's Complete Book Of POWERBOATS"...The 1973 edition. Rather than crop out the small parts pertaining to the rotary, I just decided to post the final two pages complete.
http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpghttp://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/43...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/29...600x600Q85.jpghttp://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
Many thanks to John Sheldon aka 'ROTARY JOHN' on BRF for providing the above literature.
Yesterday I bought some storage boxes for magazines to organize them so I can find what I'm looking for easier. While going through 1972 through 1975 issues, I kept having to stop and read. You cannot imagine how interesting it was to read about Ron Hill, Jimbo McConnell, Billy Seebold, John Schubert, Jerry Simison, Bob Hering, Jerry Waldman, Lee Sutter, and on and on. I need to organize them so I can find stuff easier in the future. In my searching I discovered that Powerboat did indeed cover the Red Adair North American Championships. It was Western Editor Rod Flint who wrote the articles and took the pictures. I wish I would have introduced myself. I was in awe of his work back then.
These two pieces come from the December 1973 Powerboat. The first one is the second page of Mel Zikes column. Maybe Ron has a little bit of "splainin'"to do.;):D
These next two are from the January 1974 Powerboat.