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The Bloodhound Project Mark Chapman

Mark Chapman

Engineering Director

My Background

I graduated from Bath in ’92 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, and since then I’ve been lucky enough to work on a wide range of projects, from designing the rotor control actuators for the AB139 helicopter, to a sewage works in Totnes, though this perhaps was pushing the limits for what could be termed fluid dynamics!.

However, for the main I’ve been involved with aerospace projects including a couple of years out in Seattle for Boeing with their Propulsion Systems Division, and quite a portion based at Rolls Royce in Bristol. Most recently I’ve spent nearly 4 years as part of the design team on the STOVL system for the F-35 Lightning II, the Joint Strike Fighter.

BLOODHOUND...and other 'projects'

I’ve been involved with Richard on a couple of previous ventures, and I can safely say that they’ve never been dull. So when I had a call about whether I’d be interested in being involved in a car based project, it didn’t take long to say yes.

This is my first foray into the world of motorsport, apart from my own attempts at driving a rally car – I managed to convince Katia (after a little wine or two) that for our honeymoon it would be a great idea to enter a Lancia Stratos’ replica into the London-Athens World Cup rally, which was, how shall I put it, character forming – just don’t mention Albania.

I live in a fantastic, slightly ramshackle, old farm cottage with Katia and our three children Thomas, Sophie and Peter, surrounded by what Katia variously describes as “projects” or scrap. An old car I started to restore has spawned into several more, so suddenly I find myself with a garage and yard full, and seem to be project rich but time poor. A toddler, a two year old and a leaky, drafty house don’t seem to be lending themselves to evenings with a welder, so best keep an eye on eBay.

Related Articles

BLOODHOUND SSC Genome part 2 announced at the IMechE

Tuesday, 12 April, 2011 - 11:59

On Tuesday 12th April 2011, a team of BLOODHOUND SSC Engineers headed by Chief Engineer Mark Chapman announced the publication of the BLOODHOUND SSC Genome part 2. This unprecedented release consists of almost 50 Mb of CAD (Computer Aided Design) files and detail many of the constituent parts for the Supersonic Car's design from the inner parts of the rocket fuel pump's gearbox to the major chassis components currently being fabricated by sponsor Hampson Industries.

BLOODHOUND to test fire Britain's biggest hybrid rocket

Thursday, 3 March, 2011 - 09:01

It was announced today (03.03.11) that The BLOODHOUND Project will undertake the first full test firing of their 122 kN (27,000lbs) prototype hybrid rocket in the UK. Created especially for the BLOODHOUND SSC Land Speed Record car it will be the largest rocket tested in this country for twenty years.

The announcement was made at Cosworth HQ in Northampton. Picture above left to right: Richard Noble, BLOODHOUND SSC Project Director, Mark Chapman BLOODHOUND SSC Chief Engineer, Brian Lecomber, Tim Routsis, CEO Cosworth, Daniel Jubb, BLOODHOUND SSC Falcon rocket

BLOODHOUND reaches major milestone –build begins

Tuesday, 8 February, 2011 - 08:11

BLOODHOUND reaches major milestone –build begins

• 90% of BLOODHOUND SSC primary structure now in manufacture
• Roll-out for UK runway trials in Q2 2012

Having condensed thirty person-years of research and design into a mere thirty-six months, the BLOODHOUND Project today announces the attainment of its most significant milestone yet: the start of construction of BLOODHOUND SSC, the ultimate
racing car.

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