When David Williams was running the vintageMiss Madison during the Madison event. ESPN camera man Ed told David thatwould do anything for a ride in the old roundnose hydro. David told himhe would have to work a day at the museum when they were in Seattle forthe race on Lake Washington. Ed got his ride, and indeed did work a longday with the Atlas crew the end of July. Here Ed joins Don Mock mountingthe rear lift hooks.
The 9/16" honeycomb decks were attachedto the sponsons mid July as was the molded canard and leading edges. Installingthe fuel, oil and ADI systems was the next priory before the rest of thedeck could be glued in place.
Ron Brown mounting the oil cooler andfilters. The engine mounts have also been installed.
View of the right sponson deck. The fiberglass/aluminumcore sheets came in 12X4 ft sheets and made for a very smooth and evendeck surface. The deck section were only attached with Hysol glue, no fasteners.
The original drivers seat is test fitted.Another of Ron Brown's engineering marvels is the steering and dash structurewhich designed and welded together.
With the fuel tank and pump in place theright center deck was added in early August.
Volunteer Rob Wheeler from Vashon Islandwas in charge of molding the cowls. Rob made a mold of the front cowl fromBill Muncey's Blue Blaster.  When Bill's boat was re-built followingthe crash in Mexico in 1981, an ‘82 style cowl was quickly installed forthe boats journey to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.. A “faked” windshieldwas painted where the real one should be. For us this was perfect and bymid August the new front cowl was laid up and mounted to the boat.
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With the deck and cowling in place thetedious job of sanding and surfacing began.
Once the deck was smooth, sixteen deckhatches were cut out . 1/8th inch fiberglass flanges or lips were thenglued into place inside each hatch.
A boat building and turbine engine specialist,Jim Harvey is also one of the countries most knowledgeable Rolls Merlinbuilders. Here he shows the progress on the Atlas'  engine.
Painted in the original Atlas colors,the Rolls engine is nearly complete in Jim Harvey's engine room adjacentto the boat bays..
The complicated valve assembly is clearlyseen in this shot of the Roll Merlin. Also visible is Jim Harvey's uniqueoil distribution tank on the side of the engine.
The Dixon Smith built gearbox will soonbe mounted to the rear of the Merlin. 
The carburetor sits ready to mix fueland air on the front of the engine.
The rear cowl being fit to the boat. Originally,the plan was to mold Muncey's rear cowl and make a new part. It was laterdecided to go ahead and use Bill's rear cowl for the first year or so,then make two new ones for both boats. 
Sanding primer was literally rolled onwith paint rollers and feverishly sanded down. Once this process was repeateda few times, the final "finish" primer was sprayed on and sanded with avery light grit paper. 
Of Ron Brown's many talents, paintingis one of his best. Ron painted airplanes before his involvement in boatracing. Here he applies a coat of white primer.
Finally, after hours of sanding and filling,the time came to paint the entire boat white. In the background the wingand cowl were still being prepped for paint.
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