Anyone have any idea when the first spinnaker chute was created? I've gt a 1966 (?) article by David Thomas which implies it's a new idea he'd just created. Where they around earlier? I don't know of any earlier ones.
Chris,
I'm seeing David T next week - do you want me to get 'chapter and verse' on his view of shutes.
In the interim - as an idea, check out early 505 pictures and see if they're carry shutes..... that or FD's, they're the two that lend themselves most to the layout.
David
I remember a Fireball with one on it in 1964 and a lot of dicussion at the time about whether or not it was legal.
I cannot remember the owners name.
B.E.
It's been a long time coming BUT....1st Spinnaker chute on a Merlin was 1970. No suprise as to the 'who' - it was david Robinson on the original Gregory 'Ghost Rider'.
I think the Fireball's changed their rules to allow chutes 71-72. In so many classes (like the Fireball/5o5) the issue needed a change of job tack position PLUS the all important ability to breach the bow tank.
Make that three....
The Fireball did not have spinnakers in 1964, the trapeze was allowed for class racing that year, the spinnaker was much later, 1968 I think
I spoke to Keith Musto last week. Alan was right in that Keith was sent the idea in he thinks early 1965 the year after he won his medal. It was an American that sent him the "drawings" for the FD I think he said he had a name W.C Roberts! - most appropriate! A lot of people laughed at the idea and it took a while to get right but obviously it worked!