Props to Guy Lombardo: The Band Leader of Hydroplane Racing
We recently had the opportunity to 3D scan a piece of boat racing history: Guy Lombardo’s Tempo V 225 class hydroplane.
Most people remember Guy Lombardo as the great Canadian-American big band leader who, for almost half a century from 1929 to 1976, ushered in the New Year for millions nationally and internationally. The popularity of Lombardo’s band’s New Year’s Eve live performances, first on radio and later TV, earned Lombardo the nickname “Mr. New Year’s Eve.” The Royal Canadians, comprised of Lombardo and his three brothers, sold more than 300 million records and played at presidential inaugural balls from Franklin Roosevelt to Jimmy Carter.
What many people don’t realize is that Lombardo was also an important figure in hydroplane speedboat racing. A hydroplane enthusiast for nearly 60 of his 75 years, he was the reigning U.S. national champion from 1946 to 1949. By the time he retired from the sport in the late 1950’s, he had won every trophy in the field, including the Gold Cup in 1946, the Ford Memorial competition in 1948, and the President’s Cup and the Silver Cup in 1952.
Challenge
The original Tempo V had been fully restored by the Scopinich family, owners of Scopinich Boat Works and longtime friends of Russ Sedlack, co-owner of Armstrong Nautical Products and an avid vintage class hydroplane racer.
Solution
The Tempo V was located and spent a day 3D scanning the entire interior and exterior of the restored speedboat. We used a Surphaser 100HSX 3D laser scanner to capture the entire hull and exterior detail, as well as the interior cockpit
Conclusion
3D scanning and inspection solution enabled Sedlack to create the 3D CAD files he is now using to modify the cockpit design and build the boat. Without our 3D scanning technology, it would have been nearly impossible.