A full-size replica of a supersonic car hoping to break the world land speed record will be on show at Portsmouth Navy Days.
The model of Bloodhound will be parked next to the Royal Navy’s newest warship – HMS Dauntless – throughout Navy Days, which runs for three days from July 30 at Portsmouth Naval Base.
Bloodhound is being built in Bristol and plans to attempt the world record next year on the Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape Province in South Africa. Aiming for speeds above 1,000 mph, it has a jet engine and will have the power of 180 Formula One cars.
Robert Bruce, Chief Executive of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard which is staging Navy Days with the Naval Base said: “The project to break the land speed record is very exciting and we are delighted to have a full-size show car on display at Navy Days. And to have it adjacent to HMS Dauntless is entirely appropriate as they both demonstrate aspects of the world’s most modern technology. It’s worth remembering that in their time both HMS Victory and Warrior were also at the cutting edge of technology so visitors really will have an opportunity to compare and contrast over the centuries. I am sure it will all prove extremely popular with visitors.”
Another new addition to the Navy Days line-up is an anti-submarine Merlin helicopter from 820 Naval Air Squadron which will be next to Bloodhound on each of the three days.
Joining HMS Dauntless on the list of ships opening their hatches to visitors are sister ship HMS Daring (Saturday and Sunday only), Type 23 frigates HMS Richmond and Westminster, minehunter HMS Cattistock, fisheries protection vessel HMS Tyne, survey vessel HMS Gleaner and the newly refitted RFA Argus. The French naval patrol ship FS Cormoran is also confirmed.
Also just confirmed for the three days are fast-roping displays over the harbour by the Royal Marines, demonstrating the daring techniques involved in boarding suspect vessels.
And the skies will also resonate to the sounds of the RN Historic Flight and a flypast by Hampshire and IW Air Ambulance. The Black Knights Parachute Display Team and a demonstration by a coastguard helicopter and Portsmouth lifeboat will add to the action over the harbour.
Deputy Naval Base Commander, Captain Paul Lemkes, said: “Navy Days is a fantastic opportunity for the Royal Navy to be able to show the public, close up, the capabilities it contributes to UK Defence. The line-up of ships will give visitors a true feel of the wide variety of tasks carried out and I am particularly delighted that we have two Type 45 destroyers on show in their home port so that visitors will be able to see how the Royal Navy is maintaining its place at the forefront of maritime operations with this cutting edge class of warship.”
Navy Days 2010 promises to be one of the most popular events on the South Coast this summer, featuring serving warships of the Royal Navy, thrilling naval displays, historical re-enactments and the world-class attractions of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860.
Further information, including ticket details, is available from the Navy Days website – www.navydaysuk.co.uk or by calling 023 9283 9766.
