UPDATE FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2020 (9779)
The major updates to the electronics packages were flown out of the UK today, and will be installed in both Boats within the next three days. The last major session of Winter Testing will begin on 2nd March, and last two weeks. Weather forecasts are positive.
A new venue for the Summer Testing is being sought, and it is hoped that this will have been finalised by the Members' Event in the USA in April. It is becoming likely that this new location will be considered for the Record Setting sessions in 2021, but this will depend on many factors, especially the needs of the Name Sponsor.
The Team is now well advanced in setting up an additional professional Atelier in the USA, and a site has been purchased. Preliminary details of the design will be released to our Members at Easter. The new project includes extensive workshops, laboratories and a 3000 square foot exhibition area. There will also be a multipurpose space which can be used for entertaining (with dining for 140 Guests), or for presentations, as a private cinema, or as a photography and filming studio. The Team has now purchased two Arri Alexa cameras and first results from these have been exceptionally good.
The prototype block model for the 'Hero Ship' in the QL Series is now being photographed, and images will be uploaded onto the Members' Website on 24th February. It is envisaged that the filming 'miniature' for this vessel will be approximately 40 feet long, and necessarily of modular construction. It has not yet been decided where QL will be produced, but the UK should be awarded the contract this autumn if the current negotiations are successful.