Shooting a Rocket.
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- Here is a very unique view of our record run. It's the complete birds-eye view footage of Vestas Sailrocket 2 nailing the Outright world speed sailing record on the 24th of November, 2012.
We had discussed the possibility of getting aerial shots for many years. The trouble is that there are no helicopters stationed anywhere around Walvis Bay in Namibia. The fact that we are sailing in cross-winds of 25-30 knots adds to the difficulty factor.
Swakopmund local, Bernt Bruns owns an RC model shop and we would often talk about the problem. He reckoned that he could do it with one of his RC planes which was modified to carry a GoPro in its nose. We were a little sceptical. As VSR2 began to hit its stride at the end of our last record session we all began to take it more seriously. Now or never. Bernt turned up on the last big day of sailing when we knew we were going to go all out. We dropped him off near the timing hut and got on with sailing the boat. It was an epic and historic day for us. I was faintly aware of what Bernt had been doing. Later that day as the triple rum and cokes and champagne flowed freely, Bernt downloaded the footage in our container at the Walvis Bay Yacht Club. He managed to film all three runs improving all the time.
This is the final and fastest run. His plane does 110 kmh flat out. The timing for our 500 meter record run on the boat actually began as we pass the timing hut on the shore. We are doing over 120 kmh there and top out at 128 kmh. The plane can't keep up.
There are many interesting aspects to this footage. You can see the angle that the plane has to 'crab' along at in order to follow us in the strong crosswind. Notice how this matches the angle of the fuselage on Vestas Sailrocket 2. At this speed this is about the angle of the 'Apparent wind'. I can also see that the low speed rudder has dropped down and is dragging behind the rear windward pod. I can see how much closer I could come into the shallow water and how the wave height increases off the shore. I love the rainbow in the boats rooster tail and especially love how far behind both the kitesurfer and the support RIB are considering we all take off together.
Bernt did a brilliant job nailing this shot and assures me I won't beat his next plane. He refused payment. Capturing this great footage of a very difficult subject was the icing on the cake of an amazing day. Enjoy.
Paul,
I looked again and feel elated once more. I take pride.
I just made a journey through my memories starting about 2002.
Malcolm's spoke of his dream as a boy and showed me the moulds that began the first realisation. At the time I think that you were mixing resin!
In 2002 I knew that if the World Record could be beaten, Malcolm and his growing team would achieve that goal. I personally supported the project as much as I could, but know that in the first difficult years what little help came, was utterly crucial. In my faith and fractional support, I truly feel part of the accomplishment . I know that every facet of human ability was needed to deliver this Record.
The attainment is much more than a speed Record expressed in Knots. It vindicates belief, through design, engineering, finance , logistics and the consummate faith team and the courage of it's crazy Pilot! . It shows that when belief exists, almost anything is possible. It shows that everyone with boyhood dreams can make their mark. In life we are compelled to work for income but there must be some things we do for love and for life itself.
I am retired in Thailand, so I lost contact via my Companies in the Ekspan Group. Non the less I have followed progress and have always been with you all in spirit.
The video is fantastic. I particularly like the Namibian word for 65Knots :- "fookinell" .........I think?
Please pass my respects to Malcolm and tell him that when I swim in my pool, I have more good ideas for wave power generation LOL He may find my concepts interesting ( or funny and workable. )
I don't get the chance to sail much these days since my boat is in Holland and I live in Thailand!
Maybe soon I shall be too old. I shall have to rely upon memory rather than dream.
I do have a fishing boat , but its not quite the same.
I intend to 'rig it' to surprise the locals.
I wonder what you do now, dream of 80 knots? maybe !
Best Regards
Peter Dronfield
( Ekspan)
Several incredible technologies together with incredible outcomes. Good music too!
Still love watching this over and over. What a great time that was! Was out wing foiling yesterday and thought I'd watch again. Paul you'd love some of our new Furiosa madness! Take care mate!
The Sailrocket 2 achievement is an astonishing advancement in cutting-edge sailing applications and achieved speed. I dare say that there will likely never be another moment of such huge advance in the outright speed sailing record as the one we witnessed last November in Walvis Bay.
This aerial footage is also spectacular and, I'm sure indicative of some good remote piloting skill.
This is a proper use for a drone!
Nice toy, both the camera platform and the sail boat,
Just discovered Paul...when is SR3 coming?...All of what you and team did is truely awesome and inspiring... drone footage considering wind speed and the technology of drones at time is mental. At that wind speed I'm guessing flight time of drone was sub 3 min at best
Awesome !
Superb.
Hi Great job guys love the shots... Could you share what exact plane was used?
Mt Eden "Still Alive"
Bad camera
Man, this is tech from EIGHT YEARS AGO!