1977 Atlas Van Lines

Comment

Comment by Steve Compton on December 3, 2010 at 5:40pm

Comment by Marc Connelly on December 3, 2010 at 10:02am

Cut me, and I bleed: DCC 14366, DCC 15506, DCC 91096 and DCC:PR183.
This is great!

Thanks, Steve- see you all on Saturday.

Comment by Steve Compton on December 3, 2010 at 9:33am

December 2, 2010 - by Phil Lampman

Hi Steve,

More photos for the archives from this morning's activities on the "Blue
Blaster".

The team spent much of the day making final installation of reinforcements for the skid fin. Our leader, Don - the fellow in the white coveralls - , has designed, modified, created and installed more reinforcements for the
skid fin than all the reinforcements Rommel had in mind for defending the Normandy Invasion on D-Day. I'm wondering if the 'blaster is going to have a distinct list to port once in the water. The number of fasteners alone
should get Don Mock inducted into the "Tacoma Screw Hall of Fame". (creative applications category). I'm wondering how heavy his guitars must be if he applies the same techniques to that craft.

The pictures should otherwise be pretty much self explanatory... Well, perhaps the shots of Gail using every limb at his disposal to ensure the non-trip was still true to its original position following installation of the reinforcement plates. It is interesting to consider we haven't even mounted the actual skid fin mounting bracket yet. Glenn and the '58 Bardahl crew seem to have commandeered the hoist for a time and I'm sure we're going to need it to place the bracket into place. The 'blaster may not sit level in the water once we launch her, but I'll bet she'll turn left with great agility once under way. Hell, we may not even need a steering wheel if the course is short enough. The weight of Hysol alone we've used thus far is enough to make me wonder if we ought to start making some sort of outrigger for the left sponson.

Sure wish I could explain Gail's ah... position, with respect to proper alignment of the non-trip. Those shots are not self-explanatory.

Bob Burd was on hand again this morning to help. It is wonderful to have Bob help us on the 'blaster. It's like recreating history with the help of someone who actually lived it. I am fascinated by Mr Burd. He's not there just to tell us "youngsters" how it was in the Good Ol' Days, he really has been a great help to the team and a terrific resource. For me he's one of those experiences that transcends the whole Hydroplane Museum "mystique". It's not just the boats that were such a large part of our formative years, it's people like Bob that truly make it so special. We can recreate a Miss Wahoo and even "resurrect" the Blue Blaster. Bob Burd is one of a very few left to us... As a long time hydroplane enthusiast, I'm honored to be working alongside him on such a significant project. Really...

Phil

Comment by Steve Compton on December 3, 2010 at 9:26am

December 2, 2010 by Don Mock

Guy's another great week of accomplishments on the boat. Maybe not as dramatic as two weeks ago when we attached the sponson assemblies, but getting the transoms, and doubler plates glued up was huge. As of tonight, we basically have the left side of the hull construction finished. Next week we'll move over to the right side and get the rear non-trip frames cut out and attached and work on the non-trip panel itself. No reason we can't have the non-trip hooked on by the end of the year.

I'm really proud of what we've been able to do in the past few months. Every single person on the team has really stepped up and contributed above and beyond the call of duty.

I'm forwarding two "Hi Steve" reports from Phil with his unique brand of commentary and great photos. ....Yep that extra 15 pounds we added to the left side skid-fin brace area is going to really upset the boat ride. Maybe we need a right-side suicide compartment to stuff our left over hysol, old shoes or even Phil into to compensate for the added weight.

Hope to see you at the Christmas party Saturday night.

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