John O'Mara (of New York) built this radical design for this hydroplane in the late 1940s. The boat was built using magnesium sheeting over a wood frame design.  We don't know where the idea for this design came from. Anyways John was in Navy and the boat was built by him and a few other sailors while at sea. When they reach port the boat was moved to Dayton, Ohio. The boat registered in the A modified class in the A.P.B.A. to campaign under the name / number Red Witch A-56.  The boat's design entails having the driver to lay flat on the bottom of the boat and steer with his feet.  



Pictured above is Herman Vore (Gary Vore's father) in the Red Witch A-56.




Phil states this would be the first picklefork-style hydro that he had ever seen when they pulled the Red Witch out of the boat house at Lobey's Boathouse.
The boathouse was upriver (Miami River going through Dayton) of Smith's Boathouse (which later became George Walther's Boathouse).
Photo above taken by Phil Kunz in the late 1940s.




Owner John O'Mara with Herman Vore in the boat.
Powered by Ford V8-60 that is running 2 carbs.




Red Witch A-56 with John O'Mara testing in Dayton, Ohio on the Miami River.





Red Witch flipped over on the Miami River

Anticipation from the race fans had grown as news had spread about the new hydro design. Folks were watching the races and they were waiting for the new hydro to arrive for the first race heat of the A class hydros in Dayton. The boat was going to arrive at the race site by simply driving down from the marina upstream. However the boat never made it to the race course.  Word had spread that an accident involving the new boat happened and the boat flipped after leaving the marina.  The driver was nearing one of the bridges and had to turn quickly to to avoid hitting a boat that was pulling out and put it into the bridge fondation.  You can see some damage to the sponson in the photograph. So needless to say the boat didn't race that day and the driver hit his head pretty good. The final word is - this hydro never attempted to campaign in another race.

Quite the unique design to say the least.
 © Phil Kunz

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