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[OM] Merlins & Griffons Update

Subject: [OM] Merlins & Griffons Update
From: Doggre@xxxxxxx
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 16:10:03 EDT
Lee, thanks for the push (to take an OM along to the Hydroplane Museum)!  I 
took the OM-2S with 50/1.2 and 35/2, because it is tight in there, and I also 
thought it might be dark.  Took along a T20, but didn't use it.  The building 
has skylights and it was bright and sunny out.  Left the XA in the truck for 
backup.

I was the ONLY visitor yesterday, and got a personal tour guide.  The Griffon 
Bud boat was getting her engine bay painted.  Topsides next.  I took a bunch 
of photos from all angles of the big red Griffon (2240 cu. in.).  It's a 
beautiful thing.

The surprise of the day came when I got walked over to a neighboring shop 
where the new turbine TrendWest boat was being prepped for San Diego (20 
-22nd).  Inside, they were prepping the old Atlas Van Lines "Blue Blaster" 
that dominated the early 80's (thanks mostly to Bill Muncey's lead foot).  
Builder Ron Jones was there, sanding with two others.  Her Merlin is being 
reassembled with a beautiful blue paint on the block.  Spotless engine shop. 
VERY nice.  Be still my heart.

Two boats were outside: the "old" Miss Burien (1710 cu. in. Allison power), 
and the current technology (CH-47 Chinook helicopter turbine - Lycoming?) 
Trendwest.  The TrendWest is getting a new hull, so will have a backup.  It 
takes depth to run with the big dogs.

They hope to take at least 4 boats over to Lake Chelan on Oct. 5., including 
the Griffon Bud and the Atlas.    I am going, if at all possible.  My old 
stomping grounds as a teen.  I want to hear those engines.  The Griffon is 
noticably louder than the Merlin 1650.  Oh gosh, what lenses to take?  Long.

Because of current budget restraints (there IS no budget) I finished off a 
roll of Provia 100F and then changed over to Fuji 400 Superia XTRA, all I 
have left in the reefer.  I was all over the map for f-stop and shutter 
speed, inside and out, with those two films.  200 ASA would have been a good 
compromise film.  I'm gonna start carrying 2 OMs, with 2 different films.

Didn't record a single detail of a single exposure.  Not even a Perlcorder 
would have helped.  We were too busy jabbering about boats, engines, 
characters of the sport, etc. as I shot pics.

They need a bigger building badly, for all that they have.  A benefactor has 
half a million $$ available when they find a spot in a high traffic area.  
Get down there soon, Jim, before they find a new spot and the public 
"discovers" it, and access becomes restricted.  It's nice that it's kind of 
tucked out of the mainstream at present.  Down in the industrial area.

Will post some pics if they come out decent.

Here's a link with some pics of the current museum:

http://www.hydroprop.com/hydros/news/20020818.htm

Rich

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