Aussie Invader 5R has been 10 years in the planning, with actual construction starting in late May 2009. Click on each image to see a larger version.
Relate these pictures to our monthly newsletters and understand the progress made.
| Dec 2012 – Mar 2013 | |||
| Comments: Progress on the car is not always apparent as a lot of the current work is on internals and design. We are progressing the rocket engine cradle, air brakes and nose construction is starting soon. | |||
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| Nov 2012 | |||
| Comments: After the Sydney Motor Show work resumed on the car, with a some key interviews coming up, we showcased the car as many parts in place as possible. | |||
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| Sep 2012 – Oct 2012 | |||
| Comments: Preparation for the Sydney Motor Show continued and several key elements of the project came together including, the rocket engine and the first 1,000 mph wheel. | |||
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| May 2012 – Aug 2012 | |||
| Comments: With preparation for the Sydney Motor Show in October, a lot of the teams resources have been thrown into display stands and support material, such as animation of the car, etc. | |||
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| Jan 2012 – Apr 2012 | |||
| Comments: The cars construction has continued through this period with installation of the ground break, the arrival of our first rocket nozzles and development of the nose cone, wheel bearing and hydraulics. | |||
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| Nov 2011 – Dec 2011 | |||
| Comments: Lots of work carried out over the last 2 months, inlcuding making a rollover stand to allow the car to be rotated and installation of the test Megaboom motor to assess clearances. | |||
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| Jul 2011 – Oct 2011 | |||
| Comments: After the underside of the car was finished in June and turned back over, the re-assembly begins. Front suspension and steering is mated up properly for the first time. | |||
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| Jun 2011 | |||
| Comments: June was a busy month, so it has a whole section to itself. The car had all the underbelly frames and panels fitted and was turned over. | |||
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| Feb 2011 – May 2011 | |||
| Comments: Car turned over for much of this time to work on shockwave deflection underbelly. Also front suspension and steering progressed considerably, ready for installation. | |||
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| Oct 2010 – Jan 2011 | |||
| Comments: Driver “tophat” section frames adapted for body panels with cockpit hinge designed and installed. Parachute tubes and parachute anchors made and fixed into place. | |||
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| Jul 2010 – Sep 2010 | |||
| Comments: Front suspension and steering moved from design to assembly. First canopy taken from the mold to assess hinge design, windscreen shape, cockpit visibility and driving position. | |||
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| Mar 2010 – Jun 2010 | |||
| Comments: Cockpit plug was created from wood and painstakingly shaped to allow a mold to be created. Initial experiments were undertaken with hinge design and front suspension started. | |||
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| Dec 2009 – Feb 2010 | |||
| Comments: Rear axle box welded in place and car turned over for the first time to start on the “V” underbelly frames that would deflect ground shockwaves and conceal propellant plumbing. | |||
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