BSCC News

Timetable/Status as of March 2008

The whole eight and one-third yards

The Steam Team have put in another month’s effort and the chassis has been joined back together.

chassis looking forward chassis looking backward
Looking forward Looking backward

These pictures show all the chassis frames welded and bolted into position, as well as the front four boiler boxes in position.
A combination of work from Delta Motorsport, subcontract laser cutters and fabricators has delivered parts and jigs to the project. Our fabricators have put some long days into completing the chassis structure.

The chassis has been inspected with a Faro arm and is accurate to within a few millimetres over its entire 7.6 metre length.

Boilers

Boilers No. 4,5 and 6 are in production.
The first production boiler has been producing 3.7 litres of steam per minute, which is well above the design requirement of 3.3 litres per minute.

The new insulation appears to be working well in static testing. The burner temperature is 1035 degrees Centigrade and the exhaust 160 degrees, while the casing is remaining relatively cool. This is a promising start to the test program and shows the production boilers to be the most efficient the team have ever made.

Rear Fins

The striking, twin vertical, rear fins of the car are in construction. They have an aluminium core and carbon composite skins. The angle of attack can be adjusted to help in tuning the cars handling.

rear fins image 1 rear fins image 2

Support Rigs

The power rigs will provide power to the car during start up. This is required to drive the burner fans, charge the batteries, and run the sensor and control equipment.

The two rigs are in and advanced stage of assembly.

support rig image 1 support rig image 2

Fire Training

The team have had a preliminary visit from a fire safety and training officer. A program of training and risk assessment is being put together so that the start up and turn around crews can be given appropriate training as the team learn how to operate the car.

BBC Filming

Provisional filming days have been booked in late May for the BBC’s James May to visit the project and hopefully drive the car.

April Steam?

During the next month we will populate the chassis with boilers, intakes and control boxes begin the task of plumbing and wiring all of the water, gas, air and electrical services. The April update will keep you informed of progress.

Last updated 19 April 2008