Watchlords

Spent the past weekend with codguy at the Hydroplane races and airshow. We got there early Friday morning to claim a choice spot for our canopy. Too many folks in Washington state using their AC's caused the downriver dam to lower the river level enough that the Unlimited hydros raced a shorter 2 mile course than the normal 2.5 mile. So instead of our ideal spot on the buoy for turn 4 we were a couple hundred yards upriver from it. Oh well, first world problem I guess. Had a great time anyway, here are a few pics.
A pair of Harvards, the Canadian version of the T6 Texan. AT's dad used to fly these for the RCAF.

A10 from DM AFB in Tucson.

Vintage hydros running surplus aircraft engines from WWII. The Miss Budweiser and the Pay-n-Pak. Miss Thriftway is below.


The H1 Unlimited hydroplanes are the star of the show. They now run turbine engines originally made for military helicopters. These two boats, Beacon Plumbing and Beacon Electric are teammates. On the next lap, Beacon Electric (red boat) got into some rough water and literally ran up his teammates rooster tail. The boat flipped and the driver was unhurt but the Beacon Electric was done for the weekend. Beacon Plumbing boat went on the win the Columbia Cup for the second year in a row.

Flav-R-Pac unlimited.

Goodson Realty and Mercury Coffee in turn three.

Beacon Plumbing and Flav-R-Pac in turn four.

Several boats of the 2.5 liter class battle in turn three.

Great pics! Good to hear that you and Cod had a swell time.

Fantastic pictures!! Very cool Mark.

Mark1 wrote: ↑

July 30th 2024, 9:24am

A pair of Harvards, the Canadian version of the T6 Texan. AT's dad used to fly these for the RCAF.

Yep--Dad was an RCAF flight instructor and operational pilot from 1939 to about 1958, ending his flying career with CF100 jet interceptor-fighters.

Thanks for remembering my Dad, Mark. Love all the photos!

Here is where we staked our viewing homestead, right on the river's edge. Soon there after, the place was packed with wall to wall canopies. In the pick was the outer course buoy some 50 feet from our lawn chairs.



And here is a picture for conjurer, my footwear of choice---------------> Filipino Safety Shoes

Those are some fine-ass safety shoes.

conjurer wrote: ↑

July 30th 2024, 12:27pm

Those are some fine-ass safety shoes.

Troof.

Any injuries are obvious, and open to be treated. Not like those other types.

Looks like a wonderful time was had by all.

We've had nothing but rain and 99% humidity for the past two weeks so seeing blue skies was nice!