Dry-Land Sailing (Nov, 1950)

Dry-Land Sailing
Although his home town, Friona, Tex., is miles from any large body of water, Ray Landrum still goes sailing whenever he wants, but in a dehydrated fashion. He sails along the highway in a three-wheeled motorless vehicle called a Windmobile, which was built to his design by a local mechanic. In a brisk crosswind, the dryland sailer has hit 60 miles an hour. In the Windmobile, Landrum used the front axle, steering gear, brakes and three wheels from a 1934 Chevrolet sedan. The chassis consists of 1-1/2-inch pipe welded in a triangle. Three oil drums, welded into a long cylinder, form the body. Two cotton sails, both hoisted on one mast, propel the vehicle. A second mast, mounted between the two single seats, serves as a brace for the mainmast. The steering wheel is linked to the single wheel in the rear.