Seen on John Nebelecky facebook page as a throwback thursday story:
This is a 266 that Joe Less built in his line of Mama’s Mink boats. As I recall, it was designed by engineers from Bell Aerospace, and built from aluminum. The boat ultimately required two rudders to turn well, and APBA put the keebosh on it, so Joe mounted it on the pole of his jib crane, where it remained for many years as sort of a local landmark. It was visible from the old Tonawanda pits back when we ran at Isle View Park. Although the picture of the boat is authentic, I suspect this is a composite with the boat overlaid on a rooster tail from Harold Bucholtz’ 266.
Joe Less posted these 2 pics.
Quite an unique design, wouldn’t you say!
Harry Holst’s HEATWAVE II
Awesome photo from Harry’s facebook page. Sorry for no photo credit given, by maybe Ross M?).
Click on pic like 3x until it is fully enlarged (until you see Betty Boop kicking up her high heels).
Interesting, quick read on this Vance Whiteman hull on the website.
UNLIMITED NewsJournal
The latest issue of the UNLIMITED NewsJournal is on their website.
A good read this month as they take a look back with a conversation with Jay Murphy, driver and team manager of the Breathless team.
Followed up by an article on what happened to the Breathless and Breathless II.
…and then followed up with a conversation with Mitch Evans and his story about refurbishing Breathless II.
Also some neat pics in this issue:
Wanted Poster
New WANTED POSTER posted at Phil Kunz’s website.
Riva Italy – Classic Racing
Hello Vintage Hydroplanes,
This summer I campaigned the Lady Payne in Riva.
Best Regards
Rolf Gersch
Hornet A-7
Anders Svenson found this picture from the 70s in Sweden. He posted it on the Vintage Hydroplane Lovers facebook page.
Community Center
If you stopped in to visit the Community Center last week and were wondering “where did the link to it go?” – it was removed.
Long story, but during “routine” maintenance to the Community Center boards, mistakes were made by me and I could not recover some parts of the Community Center from that mistake.
With the help of my daughter, we were able to install the new ‘upgraded’ board.
But 2 things happened along the way:
Unfortunately, I accidentally overwrote the old database, so that means – the 78 folks who registered, will need to re-register again in order to post. That’s not a big deal.
BUT – the other thing that was lost also — all the posts, posted-to-date (frown). Anyways — with all stated, the boards are back up.
…updated 2015 Dec 9 –
Well — the boards sat there for a few months and had nothing being posted and only 8 folks even bothering to register (that’s a shame), so I removed ’em. Sign of the Times, I guess. A couple of Facebook links worth visiting regularly, are posted on the “About The Vintage Hydroplanes” tab above.
“WHY NOT” and COSTA-LOTTA
Driver in water watches on as safety crew puts out fire. The photo shows only damage only to the linen wrap on the engine cowling.
photo courtesy on the Don MacDonald collection.
Thanks to Ross McCracken for scanning and forwarding this…..and the next 2 great photos!
Escapade and Escapade II
photo courtesy on the Don MacDonald collection
Editor’s Note: I really like how they incorporated the bumper / step off around the entire perimeter of the hydro. Even had rudder protection.
