ROSCO McGlashan’s rocket-propelled Aussie Invader 5R car, in which he will attempt a land- speed record, moved a step closer to blast-off this week when the tail fin, which took 600 hours of machining to make, was delivered.
The stabilising fin, built by Newland Precision Engineers in Boulder, is one of the last major parts to be constructed and the local team helping to build the car in Mullaloo is anxious to fit it so testing can begin.
The project has taken seven years to get to this stage and has been built entirely from Australian business product donations, and the mums and dads who contributed by joining The 1000 MPH Club.
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It is predicted to propel McGlashan from 0-1000mph (1600km/h) in 20 seconds using two-and-a-half tonnes of fuel in the process.
“We are trailblazing one of Australia’s most innovative projects,” McGlashan said.
“Every aspect of this car’s construction was done using design and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) modelling on parts that were considered impossible to build just a couple of years ago.
“We have huge opposition from the current land-speed record holder, British RAF pilot Andy Green. His car, according to reliable information, is at about the same stage of construction, although having cost £60 million so far.”
Testing and the record attempt will be on mud flats in Australia.
More information at www.aussieinvader.com.