Guntersville Test Session - 1961 

cool

Another film saved...... Thanks....!!

sweet

Glad you liked it! When we first viewed the film footage, we thought it was the Miss U.S. record run...but it was a test session from the previous season. Pretty cool stuff. Thanks for the comment!

That was the good day's of hydro racing.

Fond memories of years past.

Thanks for sharing these awesome videos...

Awesome footage!

What Packard engine is this? I cannot find any reference to a Packard V-16, presumably of World War II vintage, other than to Gale VII. Here is what I have found: First, a magazine photo of U-57 Gale VII and U-20 Miss U.S. 5 pitted together (photo links at end of comment). Note: The video shows U-2 Miss U.S. 1 with Gale VII, so this is likely a different meeting. Second, the closest Packard that I can find to Gale VII engine is the 4M-2500. That V-12 supercharged engine was used in triplets on PT boats, displaces 2,490 cubic inches and makes 1,500 horsepower (two photos in one link below). The PT-boat connection was mentioned briefly on the video soundtrack. However, the intake manifold of the 4M-2500 has three runners dropping down to the intake ports. That would make sense as one runner per four cylinders. However, Gale VII's engine, which otherwise resembles the 4M-2500, had four runners from the intake manifold to the intake ports. If each runner again fed four cylinders, that would mean a V-16, as reported for this hydroplane. Jerry, or others, can you explain the origin of this engine? Photo sources: mb2501.proboards.com/thread/5640/eagle-electric-unlimited-hydroplane-resin and usautoindustryworldwartwo.com/packard.htm. Other good sources of Packard-engine information: www.pt-boat.com/packard/packard.html and www.enginehistory.org/Packard/StatsAllPackardAero.pdf. Expanded comment and three-image composite photo: facebook.com/groups/48922481177/permalink/10154381948256178/?comment_id=10154389378286178&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D.