The BLOODHOUND SSC: Behind the Scenes
As we mentioned previously on the LA Media blog, we were asked by Cisco TV to travel down to Cornwall to film the historic moment when the BLOODHOUND SSC was run for the first time at Newquay airport. We thought we'd share with you some of the behind-the-scenes stuff that went on.
We're happy to say that the whole plan went without a hitch and Wing Commander Andy Green OBE made two successful runs, reaching 210 MPH in its first runway test.
Image by LA Media "Tech checks and final prepping"
When the BLOODHOUND team go for the 1000mph record in South Africa they have only 1 hour in which to do it - 2 runs and a turnaround involving refueling the jet engine, so this was an opportunity for the team to test out their processes and protocols and refine the time it takes to perform all of the tasks required.
Image by LA Media "BLOODHOUND SSC outside the HAS ready for an engine start-up test"
It’s such a complex operation - to give it some perspective more people have walked on the moon than have driven a car faster than 700mph.
So why were we there?
Well, our creative producer, Jude Lightbody was there as a director covering the event; from the BLOODHOUND engine startup test in the morning (super noisy!) through to the track run and then post-run interviews with the key players from the BLOODHOUND team and sponsors.
Image by LA Media "Quick team selfie before the Bloodhound SSC makes the run!"
All of the material and interviews were being run straight back into an on-site edit to make short films that were published out at the end of each day.
Exciting stuff, not just because we got to interview Andy Green and Richard Noble but also the incredible BLOODHOUND team - engineers, operations, the guy who’s responsible for the safety protocols, and who’ll be in charge of the test site on the day they go for the record....could be one of the most nail-biting jobs ever!
Image by LA Media "Public and press getting a good look before the test run"
Image by LA Media " Track-side with presenter Jennie Gow getting the first post-test-run interview"
At the same time, the whole event was being live broadcast by the team at Cisco TV. Hectic, great fun, and thrilling to be a part of such a historic event.
The test was a success, perhaps best summed up by BLOODHOUND's Operations Director, Martyn Davidson, in 3 simple words, "BLOODHOUND SSC is operational".
We'll be keeping a keen eye on the BLOODHOUND SSC as the team heads towards the culmination of this great adventure in Hakskeen Pan, South Africa.
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