Bill,
Not sure if I have asked you this, but is it anticipated that K7 will be stored on and launched from a replica wheeled cradle? I am guessing that should the application to launch and run K7 be approved, K7 will be based at Pier cottage, and not at the public launching site?
With regards to the consultation, count me in to attend... and to spread the word...
Neil
K7's Wheeled Cradle
- sheppane
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K7's Wheeled Cradle
'When you go down into the arena, you know that sometimes, you're likely to get your nose punched. You do it with your eyes open. You take the risks'
Donald Campbell, Bluebird and The Final Record Attempt. https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdk7/
Donald Campbell, Bluebird and The Final Record Attempt. https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdk7/
- sheppane
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Re: K7's Wheeled Cradle
An iconic scene... to be at least partially recreated in 2010
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'When you go down into the arena, you know that sometimes, you're likely to get your nose punched. You do it with your eyes open. You take the risks'
Donald Campbell, Bluebird and The Final Record Attempt. https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdk7/
Donald Campbell, Bluebird and The Final Record Attempt. https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdk7/
- Renegadenemo
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Re: K7's Wheeled Cradle
I think we'll need something a little more involved than a straight copy of the original cradle if we're to be able to move the boat around safely. We'll be able to reproduce many of its features so things look as they should but we're currently investigating rubber, caterpillar tracks and hydraulic power packs. This job is never as simple as it appears.
I'm only a plumber from Cannock...
"As to reward, my profession is its own reward;" Sherlock Holmes.
'It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.' W.C. Fields.
"As to reward, my profession is its own reward;" Sherlock Holmes.
'It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.' W.C. Fields.
Re: K7's Wheeled Cradle
Bill-mebbe too simplistic a fix but how about a Alko type chassis from a 4 wheel touring caravan with 4 wheel motor movers on it?-It's galvanised,got low gearing,well capable of supporting K7's weight,remote steerable to the extent that it would "crawl" K7 onto the back of a loader if needed-and the best-they're cheap!-Cat "b" write off Hobby type of van minus interior fittings would be probably washers to buy-mebbe a wee bit dearer with Truma movers but it's almost what's required with a wee bit of welding on hull rollers or supports.
"I hate two faced people-don't know which face to punch first!"
- Renegadenemo
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Re: K7's Wheeled Cradle
The caravan chassis' I've looked at have been of very light construction like the rest of the caravan. I'd be surprised if they'd be up to lugging 2.5 tons about. But the layout is good. We're looking at rubber tracks for traversing soft surfaces. What fun it would be to get stuck in mud or sand.
I'm only a plumber from Cannock...
"As to reward, my profession is its own reward;" Sherlock Holmes.
'It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.' W.C. Fields.
"As to reward, my profession is its own reward;" Sherlock Holmes.
'It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.' W.C. Fields.
Re: K7's Wheeled Cradle
MMM-check with Alko on weights-rubber tracks now theres an idea!-ever seen the doo dahs they lug safes around on?-like a kinda platform with rubber tank track things on em-electric powered and well capable of lugging K7 aboot! 2 or mebbe 4 of them on a powerboat trailer would be the bizz!-sides if the rearmost units were made articulated it would rear wheel steer as well-300mph hydroplane with the turning circle of a London Hackney!-yeah would suit awkward launches off gravel and stuff-mebbe have a look at my local auction place-thase wee robot bomb disposal jobbies they used in Belfast would be good donors.
"I hate two faced people-don't know which face to punch first!"
Re: K7's Wheeled Cradle
Not sure if Im getting the ole' wires crossed but I heard that K7's original cradle was secured by the BBP a few years back? I remember Novie doing a sponsored run around the lake to help raise money for it? As I say, it was a few years ago... Chris
Re: K7's Wheeled Cradle
Yeah, I'd heard that, thought it was also to help with the cradle, as I say a few years back now...Chris
Re: K7's Wheeled Cradle
Thought I'd dig up this thread after having a look back at the 2002 diary entries - what exactly DID happen to the original cradle?
"He who goes to bed with an itchy bum, wakes up with a smelly finger"
- Renegadenemo
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Re: K7's Wheeled Cradle
There was a bloke from Cornwall who popped up way back when who claimed to have the original cradle, or rather, it was lying in the yard of a lady-friend of his whose husband had recently died. The husband and the mystery caller had, apparently, visited Coniston several times whilst returning from sailing trips to Scotland and for some reason they'd removed the cradle from Pier Cottage and shipped it to Cornwall - or so the story went. His descriptions fitted and included details such as the maker's name (don't remember, before you ask) and it all sounded plausible.
His wonderful scheme - before he shipped out to France for a new life with the lady-friend - was to have the press run a campaign to raise a fortune so we could buy the cradle from him. He promptly disappeared off the face of the earth when we had the lawyers (yes, we have lawyers) point out that the cradle actually formed part of the late DMC's estate and was not, in fact, his to sell.
Despite trying very hard I wasn't able to elicit its location or obtain any photographs so whether it was real or a scam I can't say with certainty. It may be that the trailer is lying in a tangle of brambles somewhere waiting to be found but I kind of hope not - horrible, ugly, heavy thing in need of restoration that it is. It was somewhere near Helston as I recall if someone on the forum lives down that way and wants to do some digging though where you'd start is anyone's guess.
His wonderful scheme - before he shipped out to France for a new life with the lady-friend - was to have the press run a campaign to raise a fortune so we could buy the cradle from him. He promptly disappeared off the face of the earth when we had the lawyers (yes, we have lawyers) point out that the cradle actually formed part of the late DMC's estate and was not, in fact, his to sell.
Despite trying very hard I wasn't able to elicit its location or obtain any photographs so whether it was real or a scam I can't say with certainty. It may be that the trailer is lying in a tangle of brambles somewhere waiting to be found but I kind of hope not - horrible, ugly, heavy thing in need of restoration that it is. It was somewhere near Helston as I recall if someone on the forum lives down that way and wants to do some digging though where you'd start is anyone's guess.
I'm only a plumber from Cannock...
"As to reward, my profession is its own reward;" Sherlock Holmes.
'It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.' W.C. Fields.
"As to reward, my profession is its own reward;" Sherlock Holmes.
'It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.' W.C. Fields.