Categories: Cross Country / XC, Big Fast Trikes, Photography
A long distance trip inland to the Northern Cape of South Africa to VERNEUKPAN, the place where many world land speed record attempts have taken place. Verneukpan is a widespread dry salt pan south of Kenhardt, between Swartkop and Diemansput in the Northern Cape, South Africa. Verneuk is Afrikaans for to trick, mislead, screw or swindle. The pan is used for aerotowing operations. During the rainy seasons many birds flock to the pans, when they contain water. The surfac...e is completely flat, and is approximately 57 kilometres (35 mi) long and 11 kilometres (7 mi) wide.
In 1929 the pan was used by Sir Malcolm Campbell, who unsuccessfully attempted to break the land speed record in his Napier-Campbell Blue Bird. Andy Green visited the pan during 2008, while investigating surfaces for use by Bloodhound SSC.
And so did I ......with my flying friend Noel Perrier in his Tanarg 912 ES - we had a wondeful time.
Round trip 1325 km and approx 12.5 hrs of flying.
On my homeward bound trip of 465 km at 12 000feet ASL I hit 209kph with a nice stiff 100kph tailwind. I flew the 465 km in 2 hrs and 53 minues at an average of 160 kph. Going inland unfortunately is the opposite - it took much longer - Glad to have goten back home safely.