Ken Warby with SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA on a trailer
Photographer
David Watson
(deceased)
Date1978
Object numberANMS0532[059]
NameNegative
Copyright© Luke Watson
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Tumut and Adelong Times
DescriptionKen Warby with SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA on a trailer.HistorySPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA is an Australian designed and built jet-powered, wooden, 3-point hydroplane that has held the world water-speed record since 1977. Breaking both the 300 mph and 500 km/h barriers, SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA raised the world record to 511kph in 1978 at Blowering Dam near Tumut NSW.
Ken Warby, SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA's designer, builder and driver, achieved his world water-speed records on a shoestring budget. Warby built his hydroplane over two years in the backyard of his suburban Sydney home, using stringers, brackets, stock bits of timber, plywood, screws, epoxy and a military-surplus jet engine that cost $65. He eventually launched the boat in 1974.SignificanceKen Warby was responsible for the designing, building and success of SPRIT OF AUSTRALIA. He was also responsible for the transport, maintenance and storage of the boat. No small feat considering it carried a Westinghouse J34 jet engine on board.
