Crusader (speedboat)

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The Crusader was a jet-powered speed boat piloted by John Cobb. It was built by Vospers of Portsmouth and designed by Reid Railton, costing £15,000 in 1949. It was silver and scarlet in colour and 10m long. The engine was a De Havilland Ghost. The boat was destroyed and Cobb killed on 29 September 1952 when on a world record attempt at Loch Ness, Scotland.

The hull was of trimaran form, a main hull with a planing step, and two smaller rear-mounted outriggers. Construction was of birch plywood, with aircraft-style riveted aluminium for the cantilevers to the outriggers.

[edit] See also

• Water speed record

• http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/8287/cobb.html Text and some small photographs of Crusader

[edit] References

• John Cobb and the Crusader., reprinted from Leo Villa and Kevin Desmond (1976). The World Water Speed Record. 

• Peter Du Cane (1956). High-Speed Small Craft, 2nd, Temple Press.  Endpapers include a sectional drawing of Crusader