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Below - a dejected "Hoot" Gibson catches a ride back to the pits on the wing of his injured bird.  |
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The shot below, taken prior to Friday's heat race, clearly shows the new white air intake immediately behind the red engine cowling on top. This new intake, rumored to have been added based on advice from a competitor, was reported to gain a speed increase for Riff Raff - but at a hefty price. The cowling separated from the airplane during Friday's Unlimited Silver heat, breaking the engine and tearing a small hole in the leadin edge of the left elavator and ending Hoot's ride at Reno 2000. The torn skin around the missing intake can be seen on the photo to the left.
By the end of the meet, a decision was not available on how Riff Raff was getting home. Options included trucking the crippled bird to southern California for a new motor and then flying it home (Illinois, if memory serves), or trucking it the whole way home. When I get an updated status on Team Riff Raff, I'll post it here. |
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Type: Hawker Sea Fury
