Sep 3 2014
Based on the measurements taken by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Guinness World Records confirmed that a life-sized K'NEX model of the Bloodhound Supersonic Car (SSC) was the largest structure ever constructed using the K'NEX construction toy system.
The life-sized K'NEX model of the Bloodhound Supersonic Car.
Interlocking plastic rods are used in the K'NEX construction toy system. The Bloodhound SSC replica was built using 383,422 toy pieces. A Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) team consisting of ex-services personnel and enthusiasts constructed the model. The total time taken to construct the model was 1,287h. The dimensions of the model as confirmed by Andrew Hanson, NPL Outreach Manager, were 13,382 ± 13mm long, 2,440 ± 3mm wide, and 3,874 ± 3mm high.
On 29 August 2014, the Bloodhound project director, Richard Noble, unveiled the Bloodhound SSC model at Brooklands Museum located in Surrey. The giant model was designed as an attempt to advocate the Bloodhound SSC project. The objective of the project is creating an interest in kids towards science and engineering by creating a car that aims to achieve a record land speed of over 1,000mph.
Testing of the actual Bloodhound SSC will be conducted on the Hakskeen Pan located in South Africa in 2016. It aims to travel at a speed of more than 1,000mph, crossing a mile within 3.5s. NPL was part of the original Thrust SSC project, which created the World Land Speed Record of 763mph on 15 October 1997. Thrust SSC was the first car that officially broke the sound barrier. The achievement remains a British world record.