Flying Fish Article

[FLYING FISH]

An article has appeared on the COPOC website re Levi revelations. (`News`section).In this article a few areas re the raceboat `Flying Fish`are open for debate,namely the lines being levi like and the reason it sank.I was told at the time by the engineering draughtsman for the boat ,that incorrect tolerances for the p bracket bolts led to the bracket shaking itself from the hull.
I can`t say the lines are of the Surfury family particularly,and the extract re Flying Fish comes from Du Canes book `An engineer of sorts` published in 1971.See caption for Flying Fish pic re authors design.
Another can of worms perhaps.

[THUNDERBOLT]

Hi Graham
sorry if I have opened a can of worms but it was straight from the horses mouth!
Bear in mind that Sonny and Peter were great friends and also in my mind both unique designers. It was Peter that helped Sonny develop the delta line through tank testing the Banana model....
As is often the case with powerboat race design there are many fingers in the pie but only one takes the credit and only then if successful, people like yourself never get mentioned and maybe now is the time to start getting facts straight.
Have you seen the new item about Bill/Corby Bunting another guy like Ken Raybould who did a lot of the hands on but never got any credit.

Mike

[FLYING FISH]

Attached pic shows FF in Savundra rig under which is GA drg as done by Don Shead`s first employee.He also did the construction drgs,but is no longer with us.In light of previous data posted,it seems odd Du Cane never mentions Levi in his book,considering they were friends.To have done the design as is reported, seems to be worthy of a mention I would have thought.OK I know you are only stating what you were told Mike,but it still leaves me wondering what this is all about.For Levi to say he was commisioned to do the design and then all write up`s never mention this seems most odd.If I had his contact number I would check further,as it would be nice to clarify this for history purposes.

Looked on COPOC site for Bill Buntings piece.Where is it?

[THUNDERBOLT]

Graham
Sonny is still in Thailand not back till March, Ann and Martin read the article and Ann was there also . I know not why he doesn't take credit but he stated that he was asked to produce the design by Peter and was duly paid by Vospers, curioser and curioser.
I am going over to see them when he is back and hopefully driving him up to see A'Speranziella so will quiz him further.
I have not seen Peters book but as you know he did a chapter for D TO D and the forward.

Bill's article in history section next to Ken's...he has some amazing stories but will not commit to print least he upsets certain parties!
little snippets coming out slowly tho'

Of course the other gossip is that the Tarrentella or was it Omega not designed by SL and then there was the Delta 24 that was splashed from Italian hull.
it is a funny old world.

Mike

[FLYING FISH]

Hang in there Mike.I`m dying to know the full facts,especially if Sonny reads the post attachments I have done.By the way those FF lines were done by muggins for PDC`S book.You know,give the boy draughtsman a raceboat to perform on to test him,but I can`t remember what drawings I copied them off,Levi or PDC.
Good old Bill,send him the lawyers writ.
That Omega you mentioned,is it Omega 828,because if it is I did the GA drgs for it.They built it at Trident Marine (two brothers) right alongside where we built Highland Fling.They (one was Geff Townley) went in the RB69 in the Bovril boats which were Levi designed,but I think Omega 828 was a clone of it,and they referred to it as their own design.

Nothing is straightforward!

[Charles Du Cane]

I was only made aware of Boatmad.com very recently. I was with my father Peter Du Cane in Calais returning from Holland in Sea Victory, a converted Fairmile B ML, in the summer of 1961 when we met for the first time Sonny Levi bringing his boat over for the first Cowes Torquay race. Sonny refers to this meeting in his book Dhows to Deltas!

Flying Fish was designed by my father for Emil Savundra, who as you may well remember, got into hot water over Fire Auto and Marine. As a result, Savundra had to withdraw from commisioning the boat so my father and Vosper entered the boat for the 1966 race with a Vosper crew headed by Mike Trimming. I was with the "Commander" in Dimarcha following the race down to Torquay when Flying Fish sank. I don't think anyone really knew why as she sank without trace. It was assumed that the A bracket had sheered but that is totally guess work.

Although Sonny and my pa were good friends I am not aware that Sonny was responsible fo Flying Fish's design. They frequently discussed what they were up to. I am frankly puzzled by the COPOC article, the accuracy can be measured by the spelling of my surname!!

[FLYING FISH]

Thanks,Charles for posting your comments.It will be interesting to see if we get a response,when Mike talks to Levi shortly.I find it amazing that we have these stories that have now appeared,when I thought it quite clear cut who designed the boat.I think it took Mike by surprise as well.Getting your name spelt incorrectly is unforgivable.Damn typists.

[FLYING FISH]

Extract from `Dhows to Deltas`.

No confusion there,as Sonny actually states `Flying Fish`was designed by Peter du Cane.

[Catweazle]

I was pleased to recieve a copy of An Engineer of Sorts recently.
A very enjoyable book.
Whot a life,Bugatti.Motoring offencies,etc etc.a great read from the era of P thorneycroft,tommy sopworth and the like.Great characters.Think i was born to late.