Cars or freaks for L.S.R.?

Sir,

With reference to page 898, November 1963 issue, in which you propose that Voice and Vision Ltd., together with Mr. Landsberg should be subjected to verbal indigestion, may we take you to task over your reference to the landing speed of jet aircraft. If you, sir, would care to read any applicable report on aviation, you will find that the landing speeds of most aircraft, even such aircraft as the Concorde, are of the order of 130 kts., which, for the speedometer-minded gentry is equivalent to 150 m.p.h. Allowing for rounding errors, this still falls somewhat short of your claim.

Therefore, sir, we would be obliged if you would return your award “fastest jet propelled land projectile” to Mr. Breedlove, for we are confident that all pilots prefer it that way. We feel sure that Voice and Vision Ltd. have a few spare indigestion tablets.

Woodford. K. McClory. M.B. Howard. C.J. Eaton. J.F. Holm. T. Humphrys. M.P. Ashmore. M. Oulton. W.B James.

Aerodynamicists, Wind Tunnel Department, Hawker Siddeley Aviation Ltd.

[The point I and George Brown were trying to make was that unless the rule stating that “Land Speed Record” cars must be driven through their wheels is retained, freak vehicles very like jet aircraft, or the Breedlove 5,000 h.p. jet tricycle, or even aircraft themselves with cut-down wings just skimming the course, will be eligible for attacking the late John Cobb’s fine record. (Breedlove averaged 407.45 m.p.h.; Cobb, with 2,500 h.p. 16 years earlier, 394.196 m.p.h. Verb Sap!) I am sorry if I appeared so ignorant as to believe that existing jet aircraft touch down at 400 + m.p.h. In view of the fact that, when I am in England, I reside only about a mile from the end of the Farnborough runway, I am very glad this isn’t so! – ED.]