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Thanks, now if I could just find a way to actuate the air brake I'd be in good shape.........................

Click on the link below and have a look at this video clip of the '55 Le Mans race (you can skip the accident scene in the middle). That airbrake (or was it a "wing"?) was really in a class by itself. Too bad that the accident at Le Mans took Mercedes out of motor racing for the next, roughly, 3 decades. They were, technologically, in many ways, way ahead of their time.



Allan

Very nice.

Whatever that is it makes no sense. In a few of the scenes it's activated while it's going down the straight accelerating not braking. Not very good for speed as it's a flat panel sticking straight up in the air. :think:
Dave

I think you are overestimating what 1955 brake and tyre technology was capable of doing. Braking distances were a few hundred metres, not the 100 or less metres that carbon rotors and modern tyres can pull a car up in. That flap looked like it was coming up in the right places. The fact that the Merc was still passing cars in the braking zone is an indication of how bad the brakes were on the other cars and gives the appearance the car was still accelerating past the other cars. It was in fact decelerating, just not as much as the other cars.

Apparently, actuation was also driver selectable, somewhat like the rear wing flap in current F1 cars.

Mc

Cool video! Thanks for sharing! :D

Long thread..........here's the finished car; goes in the mail tomorrow morning, headed for Oregon.

Here's a shot of the underside of the body:



Running chassis and body:



Side view:





Front and rear:





Underside:



Total weight - 78.63g. Ready to go to the races:



Fingers crossed.............. :pray:

Allan

That turned out looking pretty darn sweet!
Two thumbs up sir!

Good luck.