Ken Warby and Spirit of Australia. Worlds Fastest combination on Water. Congratulations and Season's Greetings 2013, from the Tumut Region of Australia.
This record still stands after 32 years. One would have thought that they could improve upon it today with all those advanced computers and simulations, but as yet nobody has.
What's with all the people comparing this to Donald Campbell's FAILED run which was, unfortunately, fatal? Firstly, even if that run was successful, this would have still beaten it. Secondly, this was built in the guys back yard from second-hand parts and he had the balls to break the most dangerous speed record in the world in it - give the guy some credit. Thirdly, his trap speed on the final runs was MUCH faster than any boat has achieved, including unsuccessful runs. Largest. Balls. Ever!
It's hard to believe the friction of the water drag don't set that beast on fire, man he's freaking faster then a bullet, talk about fire on the water, that sob is something else.
On 20 November 1977, he set the world water speed record of 288.60 mph (464.46 km/h). With a subsequent 317.60 mph run, he became the first and only person to exceed 300 mph (482 km/h) on water and live to tell the tale; Donald Campbell died on his attempt after his hydroplane crashed at over 320 mph on his return run in his 1967 record attempt. Warby's record still stands, and the 300 mph barrier has never again been exceeded.
What a design & engine of the boat? Mr. Ken Warby's record still unbroken for 30 years since 8th October 1978!!!!!!!!! "Spirit of Australia" officially exceeded 317.60 mph / 511.11km/hand reached a speed of 345 mph at the end of one run with an average speed of 329 mph for that leg. It was powered by a J34 Westinghouse jet engine.
love ken to death he the best I remember being a kid going to his pool parties with my Lil cuz Amy Lee warby kens granddaughter fun times seeing him build is second boat the new one going to beat this record Dave make your dad proud
Wow. I'm in awe. "That boat was flying low". Kudos to one heck of a run. And to know that 30 years later, no one has been able to match it; let a lone beat it.
@kittin267 It was Sir Malcom Cambell and its Coniston Water in the Lake District UK. This was in 1967. The boat was raised in 2001, along with Cambell's body. He is now laid to rest at a local church. The boat is being rebuilt.
I was there at the time, only 6 years old. From memory it was originally planned to happen a month earlier or so and was delayed because of the weather. My dad has the runs on 8mm film.
Impressive what can be done working in a backyard garage with some wood and an old military surplus jet engine. Considering some of the multi million dollar campaigns, modern composites, modern engines, and all todays technology - this record remains untouched after 30 years. Great Effort Ken!
nobody's really tried. A couple projects have been started, but the only one to make it onto the water since was Warby's new build. Quicksilver has been in development and build for nearly 20 years now I think. The other two serious projects announced at that time never even got past the rendering stage. In fact the prop-driven record has started to come within spitting distance of Spirit of Australia. 244 from an offshore cat, and I think 277 for a top fuel drag boat. Neither two way averages but crazy close all things considered.
What the hell are you talking about? There have been multiple serious attempts to better this record, with every attempt ending with the death of the driver, the most recent being one of the Arfons family, well known for holding land speed records. Try a 5 minute google next time you get a brain fart.
Have to hand it to the Australians , they know how to get it done this was set in 1978 and still stands! I don't think people know how much engineering went into that boat and how hard it is to build and race something like this and live to tell the tale. I would love to see the spirit of Australia II break the record.
As Miss Geico Racing's John Haggin said, Mr. Warby has "balls big as coconuts". That is evidenced by the fact that he set the World Record in an open-cockpit boat he built in his garage. The stuff of legend. The boat has one 9000hp jet engine.
I haven't read all the comments below, so forgive me if this has already been pointed out, I noticed the basic look this boat is very similar to the supersonic car, the Thrust SSC. Large engine inlets right near the pilot, and a small T-tail.
John Buckstaff: 143 mph in iceboat Debutante. Vern Salisbury: about 90 mph before crashing in hydrofoil Fresh-1. Reggie Fountain and Jerry Gilbreath: 165.55 mph in catamaran White Fountain Mercury. Ken Warby: 317.60 mph in hydroplane Spirit of Australia. Warby's record was never beaten.
@ageboyd When Warby set the record, it had been very wet so the dam would have been high. On the day he achieved it, however, it was a very warm 26˚C and sunny, and October was not that wet.
@longmelford I'm not really sure what you're on about. Warby *averaged* 317mph over both runs - you have to do a run in both directions for the World Record to count. His second run averaged 328mph, and he came through the end-gate at 345mph. I don't know where you went to schook, but according to my math, both 328 and 345 are greater than 321... Q:)
you know, all this time, i don't think i realised the top speed in the record runs was so much higher than the average/record. So the boat runs well at 345. I think it's also the only fast boat I've seen so comfortable rocking back and forth side to side.
There is a new boat that was built to challenge the record. A 56', 26,000lb catamaran named "Phenomenon". Four 3000hp Lycoming T55s. The boat is in testing in Florida now. It was built by the family of the late Offshore World Champion racer Al Copeland of Popeyes Chicken fame.
Just want to point out that I mean no disrespect to Donald Campbell. It goes without saying that he was one of the bravest (and fastest) men ever on the water. I believe he was also a hero to Ken Warby when he was growing up in Australia. It just gets on my nerves when people are saying that Campbell was somehow better than Warby. I found an interesting article from 2003 here wired.com/wired/archive/11.03/cheating.html Funny how cocky those guys were 8 years ago, but still no record.
The problem will be unanswerable top loading compressibility since they're dealing in two different mediums it is ...well to my knowledge an incorrectable problem if for instance you rise above the water you might perhaps reduce bottom load this seems possible but on the topside ..it would grow worse rendering the vessel unsteerable in aircraft you can correct for this problem but you are always in the same gas medium
@AussieStriker And I guess YOU missed the part in MY comment where I said "Where" is this taking place...not "When" is this taking place.......I looked it up: Blowering Dam, NSW, Australia.
Must be an old video. Piston eng. TF hydros are almost at 300 MPH. And they're doin it from a dead stop, in less than 1K ft. Maybe that Westinghouse needs an AB.
The downforce from that t tail kept the boat and the rudder in the water at all times and tracking straight. The T tail counteracted the rotational forces of the spinning engine without it the boat would have blown over. Perfect use of hydro and aerodynamics. I would do it but I would be sitting in an ejection seat. It would only take one floating log to screw up your day!
I doubt there was any downforce. The section is symmetrical and appears to be set at a neutral angle or possibly even a positive one, which would tend to rotate the boat the other way and prevent to bow from lifting. If the wing had been set at a positive angle, my bet is that the stern wold have mushed down and the bow would have exceeded its stability margin, causing a flip. Only Ken Warby knows and I don’t think he’s going to tell us.
@longmelford I'm pretty sure other pilots would have broken the sound barrier before Chuck Yeager too, but as they were heading into a spiral dive toward the desert, it doesn't really count there either.. Donald Campbell was a great man, don't get me wrong, but unfortunately he didn't survive the attempt. Ken Warby did...
@xswamp the bluebird went very fast it hit 300mph then did a backflip and exploded the daniel cambell died and the boat is still at the bottom of consistant waters uk.
Great vid, still makes me proud to be an Aussie, and well...it will take a lot of beating. Maybe there is a speed at which travel on water is just not meant to happen...400mph?? Who knows. And I'm glad Ken has retired from records...he saw how close to the abyss he was and backed off...fair enough to enjoy his old age!!
... as his boat began lifting thus having less drag and a higher top speed and we all know what happened next. Warby was clocked at 328.97 mph peak on his 2nd run with a claimed exit of 345 mph.
he is attempting to break the sound barrier but he will die, since sound speed in water is a lot more complex than in air. transverse waves are a reality and they can behave like a barrier too. in fact, water, being incompressible, may not allow supersonic speeds .
I wouldnt wanna sit in that when it does a nosedive at 328mph. O_o I dont think it feels so nice to sit in a boat that makes a 328mph to 0 mph in just a few blinks.
Still the world record in 2021 and I think it could stand for many more years!
Blowering Dam,Tumut,NSW,Australia 1978, the record is still current in 2013!
I'm very proud of my Dad,
Ken Warby and Spirit of Australia.
Worlds Fastest combination on Water.
Congratulations and Season's Greetings 2013, from the Tumut Region of Australia.
Ken Warby & his boat story impressed me years ago.I even recorded it on to a tape from the ABC.
This record still stands after 32 years. One would have thought that they could improve upon it today with all those advanced computers and simulations, but as yet nobody has.
What's with all the people comparing this to Donald Campbell's FAILED run which was, unfortunately, fatal? Firstly, even if that run was successful, this would have still beaten it. Secondly, this was built in the guys back yard from second-hand parts and he had the balls to break the most dangerous speed record in the world in it - give the guy some credit. Thirdly, his trap speed on the final runs was MUCH faster than any boat has achieved, including unsuccessful runs.
Largest. Balls. Ever!
Donald Cambell was just as brave .
It's hard to believe the friction of the water drag don't set that beast on fire, man he's freaking faster then a bullet, talk about fire on the water, that sob is something else.
ken it was awsome to watch you to that would of loved to been there... it is an honer to know you first hand..... thanks old buddy
dan isaacs
On 20 November 1977, he set the world water speed record of 288.60 mph (464.46 km/h). With a subsequent 317.60 mph run, he became the first and only person to exceed 300 mph (482 km/h) on water and live to tell the tale; Donald Campbell died on his attempt after his hydroplane crashed at over 320 mph on his return run in his 1967 record attempt. Warby's record still stands, and the 300 mph barrier has never again been exceeded.
Quite fast for a wooden boat. :) You rock Ken !!
What a design & engine of the boat?
Mr. Ken Warby's record still unbroken for 30 years since 8th October 1978!!!!!!!!!
"Spirit of Australia" officially exceeded 317.60 mph / 511.11km/hand reached a speed of 345 mph at the end of one run with an average speed of 329 mph for that leg.
It was powered by a J34 Westinghouse jet engine.
Balls of steel still doing the second run after the Jet Ski had been through!
@ageboyd I'm not down that way so I wouldnt know about that. Not sure what they would be working on though to prevent it going up.
hes building a 3rd boat in Sydney right now hes not doing the run but his son Dave (my uncle) is and the boat is going to run in some time in 2016
love ken to death he the best I remember being a kid going to his pool parties with my Lil cuz Amy Lee warby kens granddaughter fun times seeing him build is second boat the new one going to beat this record Dave make your dad proud
I'm looking forward to seeing David at Taree tomorrow doing more testing on the new boat. I know David from flying model planes with him.
Wow. I'm in awe. "That boat was flying low". Kudos to one heck of a run. And to know that 30 years later, no one has been able to match it; let a lone beat it.
That lake is like glass. I wanna wakeboard it!
@kittin267 It was Sir Malcom Cambell and its Coniston Water in the Lake District UK. This was in 1967. The boat was raised in 2001, along with Cambell's body. He is now laid to rest at a local church. The boat is being rebuilt.
marcandsebe Donald was killed in Bluebird. His father Malcolm had passed away some years earlier.
I was there at the time, only 6 years old. From memory it was originally planned to happen a month earlier or so and was delayed because of the weather. My dad has the runs on 8mm film.
Impressive what can be done working in a backyard garage with some wood and an old military surplus jet engine. Considering some of the multi million dollar campaigns, modern composites, modern engines, and all todays technology - this record remains untouched after 30 years. Great Effort Ken!
nobody's really tried. A couple projects have been started, but the only one to make it onto the water since was Warby's new build. Quicksilver has been in development and build for nearly 20 years now I think. The other two serious projects announced at that time never even got past the rendering stage. In fact the prop-driven record has started to come within spitting distance of Spirit of Australia. 244 from an offshore cat, and I think 277 for a top fuel drag boat. Neither two way averages but crazy close all things considered.
What the hell are you talking about? There have been multiple serious attempts to better this record, with every attempt ending with the death of the driver, the most recent being one of the Arfons family, well known for holding land speed records. Try a 5 minute google next time you get a brain fart.
Have to hand it to the Australians , they know how to get it done this was set in 1978 and still stands! I don't think people know how much engineering went into that boat and how hard it is to build and race something like this and live to tell the tale. I would love to see the spirit of Australia II break the record.
@longmelford Craig Arfons was estimated to travelling 370mph when he died in his attempt to break Warby's record.
bullshit! 301 mph when he was killed.
As Miss Geico Racing's John Haggin said, Mr. Warby has "balls big as coconuts". That is evidenced by the fact that he set the World Record in an open-cockpit boat he built in his garage. The stuff of legend.
The boat has one 9000hp jet engine.
529 km/h..sick !
All you have to do is turn the ssc that broke the 700 mph land record and turn it into a boat then see if the score is broken.
the next day a water-skier was found dead in the water. Hmmm
Idiots deserved it . The course was closed but there's always dickheads ..
I haven't read all the comments below, so forgive me if this has already been pointed out, I noticed the basic look this boat is very similar to the supersonic car, the Thrust SSC. Large engine inlets right near the pilot, and a small T-tail.
John Buckstaff: 143 mph in iceboat Debutante.
Vern Salisbury: about 90 mph before crashing in hydrofoil Fresh-1.
Reggie Fountain and Jerry Gilbreath: 165.55 mph in catamaran White Fountain Mercury. Ken Warby: 317.60 mph in hydroplane Spirit of Australia. Warby's record was never beaten.
imagine trying to keep your eyes out of the visor... and trying not to blink
@bttatum Provided at least one point (three in this case) touches the water, it's the 'water' speed record. Doesn't have to be a boat.
That's a record that would require lots of tech, balls, and luck.
The chance of it being broken relies heavily on all 3.
@ageboyd When Warby set the record, it had been very wet so the dam would have been high. On the day he achieved it, however, it was a very warm 26˚C and sunny, and October was not that wet.
Nuts the size bowling balls
@MsClaireLouLou exit speed for this video was 345mph.
@longmelford I'm not really sure what you're on about.
Warby *averaged* 317mph over both runs - you have to do a run in both directions for the World Record to count.
His second run averaged 328mph, and he came through the end-gate at 345mph.
I don't know where you went to schook, but according to my math, both 328 and 345 are greater than 321...
Q:)
@AussieStriker good shit ive been told there working on the dam wall so they wont fill it 2 100% atm
...and still THE MAN!!!
My left ear enjoyed this...
@longmelford
Donald Campbell was the only one to hold both land speed and water speed record.
didnt he die trying to break the fastest boat speed record?
@BertramTwentyEight The problem is, Craig Arfons died and didn't complete the course.
Very fucking impressive, and I'm not easily impressed.
Its a fuckn jet aeroplane with a belly of a boat
Ken sei un grande!!!!!!! Ammiro tantissimo il tuo coraggio!!!!!
"....and going like a rocket..."....it IS a bloody rocket!!
No, it's not
That video was AWESOME!!!
Desert Explorer 302 you commented that 11 years ago. Congrats gamer.
you know, all this time, i don't think i realised the top speed in the record runs was so much higher than the average/record. So the boat runs well at 345. I think it's also the only fast boat I've seen so comfortable rocking back and forth side to side.
According to Warby, he made a pass at 400 mph that went unrecorded due to technical glitches in the measuring instruments
how is it staying down on the water??
watching that is like watching it being slid across glass
There is a new boat that was built to challenge the record. A 56', 26,000lb catamaran named "Phenomenon". Four 3000hp Lycoming T55s. The boat is in testing in Florida now.
It was built by the family of the late Offshore World Champion racer Al Copeland of Popeyes Chicken fame.
They should create a pool that is like 100 miles long and 100 ft deep so this record can be broken without the factor of waves involved.
Just want to point out that I mean no disrespect to Donald Campbell. It goes without saying that he was one of the bravest (and fastest) men ever on the water. I believe he was also a hero to Ken Warby when he was growing up in Australia. It just gets on my nerves when people are saying that Campbell was somehow better than Warby.
I found an interesting article from 2003 here wired.com/wired/archive/11.03/cheating.html
Funny how cocky those guys were 8 years ago, but still no record.
The problem will be unanswerable top loading compressibility since they're dealing in two
different mediums it is ...well to my knowledge an incorrectable problem if for instance you rise above the water you might perhaps reduce bottom load this seems possible but on the topside ..it would grow worse rendering the vessel unsteerable in aircraft you can correct for this problem but you are always in the same gas medium
Sponsored by Speedo’s...
I want a new pair of sluggos
@guodade maybe u should check the weather records?
THATS A MEATY WANG
here will still be waves
WOW !!! that was fast.....
@BertramTwentyEight Wasn't it closer to 300?
@AussieStriker And I guess YOU missed the part in MY comment where I said "Where" is this taking place...not "When" is this taking place.......I looked it up: Blowering Dam, NSW, Australia.
also why arent the modern super boats desinged like this one?
Anyone knows the name of that music ? The 70s...:) I luv that.
One of my dads best mates. He and his wife were married in my lounge room with my family as witnes
Must be an old video. Piston eng. TF hydros are almost at 300 MPH. And they're doin it from a dead stop, in less than 1K ft. Maybe that Westinghouse needs an AB.
The downforce from that t tail kept the boat and the rudder in the water at all times and tracking straight. The T tail counteracted the rotational forces of the spinning engine without it the boat would have blown over. Perfect use of hydro and aerodynamics. I would do it but I would be sitting in an ejection seat. It would only take one floating log to screw up your day!
I doubt there was any downforce. The section is symmetrical and appears to be set at a neutral angle or possibly even a positive one, which would tend to rotate the boat the other way and prevent to bow from lifting. If the wing had been set at a positive angle, my bet is that the stern wold have mushed down and the bow would have exceeded its stability margin, causing a flip. Only Ken Warby knows and I don’t think he’s going to tell us.
@marcandsebe No, it was his son Donald Campbell. I can see how he/she got the idea of 'Daniel'.
@db0255 Sorry sounded like you meant it was yet to happen
ok people this is STEP 1 ON A BOAT FOR SMUGGLEING
@longmelford I'm pretty sure other pilots would have broken the sound barrier before Chuck Yeager too, but as they were heading into a spiral dive toward the desert, it doesn't really count there either.. Donald Campbell was a great man, don't get me wrong, but unfortunately he didn't survive the attempt. Ken Warby did...
@AussieStriker Mate pity there working on the dam wall as they wont let it fill to 100% atm or so ive been told from a rello at talbingo
@ageboyd It's at 89% now.
I wouldnt wanna sit in that when it does a nosedive. O_o
Can you imagine tubing behind that!
@xswamp the bluebird went very fast
it hit 300mph then did a backflip and exploded the daniel cambell died and the boat is still at the bottom of consistant waters uk.
Suspension and a forward cog so it’s aerodynamic stable.
blowering dam is at 75% n its ben pissing down so looks like its time 4 warby jnr 2 get the boat out n break the oldboys record!
I have mixed feelings with this sure the teem done a great job but also the blue bird was his coffin. Rip Donald Camball.
just one wave infront and its goodby
Great vid, still makes me proud to be an Aussie, and well...it will take a lot of beating. Maybe there is a speed at which travel on water is just not meant to happen...400mph?? Who knows. And I'm glad Ken has retired from records...he saw how close to the abyss he was and backed off...fair enough to enjoy his old age!!
Which song ? Please tell me please !
No disrespect to the other people who died trying to set a world speed record on water of course...
campell went through the start line at 320 still accelerating
... as his boat began lifting thus having less drag and a higher top speed and we all know what happened next. Warby was clocked at 328.97 mph peak on his 2nd run with a claimed exit of 345 mph.
he is attempting to break the sound barrier but he will die, since sound speed in water is a lot more complex than in air. transverse waves are a reality and they can behave like a barrier too. in fact, water, being incompressible, may not allow supersonic speeds .
I wouldnt wanna sit in that when it does a nosedive at 328mph. O_o I dont think it feels so nice to sit in a boat that makes a 328mph to 0 mph in just a few blinks.
how about putting some wings on it? :D
Chuck Norris's ski boat.
that would make a great drug boat
@AussieStriker spill way upgrade mate but its finished n now at 100% full
I know
dam thats some 70's porno music lol
i bought one of these for water skiing
Killing a lot of Birds . .
@db0255 It happened in 1977, guess you missed it...lol
rowing boat?!
If he catches a bad wave, he's fucked
who was the ass hole going across in their boat? he was a bit insane to still do it after that, as that could adone najor damage
Where is this taking place?
Blowering dam
I hope someone threw that waterskier on the barbi!
Damn
YERRRR it had to be an OZy bloke !!!! shit yerrr!!
not thats a JET boat! lol