News Archives - Mechtraveller

Historic Sunbeam 1000hp restoration completed

Alastair — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:08:22 +0000

National Motor Museum engineers have successfully restored the World Land Speed Record breaker Sunbeam 1000hp car, in time for its planned 100th anniversary run at Daytona Beach in the USA next year. The restoration project has taken over three years, with many additional years of preparatory work. It has tested the Museum’s workshop team, led […]

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Five minute EV FLASH charging from BYD

Alastair — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:55:50 +0000

Electric vehicle manufacturer BYD have just demonstrated their FLASH charging system for the first time in the UK. This could be something of a game-changer. As we all know, one of the main disadvantages of electric vehicles is the time it takes to re-charge. Despite improved charging systems, you simply can’t pull into a service […]

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Diesel D6535 Returns to Service Following a Major Restoration

Alastair — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:41:32 +0000

The Great Central Railway and 5305 Locomotive Trust are celebrating the completion of a major restoration project on the National Railway Museum’s National Collection Class 33 locomotive D6535 – one of Britain’s most significant early diesel locomotives. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the restored locomotive in action during Great Central Railway‘s Autumn Diesel […]

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Golden Globe Race introduces Livestreaming

Alastair — Sat, 30 May 2026 14:23:10 +0000

Every four years, a fleet of solo sailors set off from Les Sables d’Olonne in France to sail their small 36ft yachts, non-stop around the world in the McIntyre Golden Globe Race (GGR), which recreates conditions as they were in 1968. Only this time they’ll have an extra piece of high tech gear on board […]

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Coins Discovered Under HMS Victory‘s Foremast

Alastair — Thu, 21 May 2026 14:28:41 +0000

When HMS Victory‘s masts were removed at the end of April*, six 19th century coins and tokens were discovered under the foremast. Placing coins on the mast step before the mast is lowered, was a long-time maritime tradition intended to bring good fortune**. So it might have been expected that there would be a coin […]

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“Hey Google, can I park here?”

Alastair — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:41:21 +0000

At this week’s Google I/O conference, Volvo Cars and Google have been demonstrating ‘contextually aware driving experiences’ using the latest advancements in AI in Volvo’s EX60 SUV. Making use of the Google Gemini vehicle camera integrated in the EX60, Gemini can (with the driver’s permission) see and understand its surroundings from the perspective of the […]

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Rare MiG-17 booked for Hampshire Air Festival

Alastair — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:16:17 +0000

The new Hampshire Air Festival has confirmed the appearance of a rare MiG-17F in the festival’s opening year flying display. Taking place at Thruxton Aerodrome on 12–13 September 2026, Hampshire Air Festival is a new two-day aviation weekend created to celebrate “The Age of Flight” through flying displays, static aircraft and a Saturday evening extravaganza […]

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HMS Victory’s remaining masts are coming down

Alastair — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:38:43 +0000

HMS Victory’s team of conservators, shipwrights and riggers have started taking down her remaining masts as part of The Big Repair – the ten-year, £42m project to conserve Nelson’s flagship for future generations. As Stuart Sheldon, Lead Rigger at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, puts it: “HMS Victory matters to people in a […]

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Air New Zealand launch Economy Class Bunk Beds

Alastair — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:57:07 +0000

Air New Zealand (ANZ) have unveiled their new economy class ‘Skynest’ mini dormitories, featuring six bunks that will be available to book on flights from 18 May 2026. Each Skynest bunk (“pod”) provides a quiet, private space with a full-length mattress, bedding, ambient lighting, ventilation and charging ports (USB C & A). The six-bunk Skynest […]

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The annual 1000 Miglia classic car rally is both a motorsport and tourism event

Alastair — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:40:13 +0000

This year’s ‘1000 Miglia Experience Italy’ classic car rally is almost upon us*. For the first time, the 1000 Miglia will take place entirely in Puglia. From 9 to 12 April, the crews will embark on a journey that combines a passion for driving with the exploration of iconic landscapes and villages steeped in history, […]

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