Going downwind faster than the wind

[JMenning]

If you are thinking of anything like a sand rail (dune buggy) I know of a few people, including me, that can help give some pointers.

I am sure that you have already put some thought into it.  I would suggest something like a sand rail, simply because the tube frame is strong enough to handle the loaded weight, yet it remains light.  There are several different types of frames that you can look at.  Here are a few examples:

http://www.berrienbuggy.com/id36.htm
http://www.berrienbuggy.com/id32.htm
http://www.berrienbuggy.com/id46.htm
http://www.dansperformanceparts.com/buggy/sandrail/buggysrframe1.htm

If you are set on “do-it-yourself”, and you have the tools / skills, you can buy plans and build it yourself as you have the time.

http://www.dunebuggyplans.com/

A bounus with doing it yourself is that you can make modifications as you build. Another added bonus to this kind of frame is that you can use a simple breaking system, as well as a steering system.  I would suggest, however, that you use steering breaks.  This is just an added safety just in case your front wheels come off the ground.  Just a safety thought.

I’m sure there is more info I could offer, but I am on my way to bed.  If you decide to do this, I wish you luck. 

[spork]

We're thinking more along the lines of a mutant 3-wheeled bicycle.

[spork]

So it ends up JB posted the YouTube challenge video to his YouTube account as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fBDcchw5nw

We never posted links or told anyone how to find it, but it's had over 8000 hits in 3 days.

Also, the controversy over this little toy among hang glider pilots, sailors, college aero professors, physicists... is absolutely alarming.  I could post a pile of links to forums where there are VERY heated debates on this topic if that's pertinent.  That seems to have been the secret formula for "plane on a treadmill".

[oldguy1]

Showing how much controversy there is from your device and video may be helpful in demonstrating what a show segment might generate. I suspect that a second follow-up show with an open invitation to the dissenters to witness this first hand might be necessary and could result in a pretty substantial viewing audience. 

[spork]

Showing how much controversy there is from your device and video may be helpful in demonstrating what a show segment might generate. I suspect that a second follow-up show with an open invitation to the dissenters to witness this first hand might be necessary and could result in a pretty substantial viewing audience. 

It's funny you say that.  JB and I were just talking about 5 minutes ago about printing all the pages of all the forums that are having WWIII over this thing.  I imagine it'd be a pretty thick stack.

[Cybermortis]

Maybe you should see if you can find a third party who could build an identical vehicle from your plans, then test and film it. (Apart from MB of course). I would imagine that there would be a college somewhere that wouldn't object to doing this, and one or two may be interested in testing to see if they can work out what is going on. (No idea if this would be practical in so far as if your design is protected somehow).

Such independent testing isn't going to shut people up, but it may sway some, since any question of camera tricks or extra equipment would be out of the picture if the second group has no connection to you. (I'm thinking in terms of Colleges here, as their word would hold more weight than. for example, 'some guy(s)' in Nevada who did this in their back yard).

Just a thought.

[ThinAirDesigns]

Maybe you should see if you can find a third party who could build an identical vehicle from your plans, then test and film it. (Apart from MB of course). I would imagine that there would be a college somewhere that wouldn't object to doing this, and one or two may be interested in testing to see if they can work out what is going on. (No idea if this would be practical in so far as if your design is protected somehow).

Such independent testing isn't going to shut people up, but it may sway some, since any question of camera tricks or extra equipment would be out of the picture if the second group has no connection to you. (I'm thinking in terms of Colleges here, as their word would hold more weight than. for example, 'some guy(s)' in Nevada who did this in their back yard).

Just a thought.

Funny you should say so:

More independent results coming in.

Have no idea who these guys are -- they just sent me a note to look at their videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S2HHwfcz9Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9owATX8DoI

JB 
__________________

[spork]

I would imagine that there would be a college somewhere that wouldn't object to doing this, and one or two may be interested in testing to see if they can work out what is going on.

Actually, we know exactly what's going on.  It's a bit of a mind twister, but easy enough to work it out nevertheless.  Several of us have posted our analyses already.  Tragically, we spoke to a professor at GA Tech who swears this is not real.  I find this disturbing on general principles, but far more so because I got my B.S. from GA Tech.

(No idea if this would be practical in so far as if your design is protected somehow).

Nope.  We've posted the parts list and some general build notes on several sites.

Such independent testing isn't going to shut people up

We have learned that choosing not to believe is a religion.  But it's not like the "save your soul for all of eternity" sort of religion - this seems to actually be really important to people for some reason.

[Mycroft]

this topic has been transferred to the contest thread.  Please respond to that thread rather than this thread.

Regards
Mycroft
Moderator MBFC