Big wheel: Fans take in some Hydro Fever

Published 4:34 pm Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Reporter staff

Fans of all ages came to see their favorite, vintage hydroplanes and soak in some of the sport’s rich history during the Hydro Fever Open House at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in Kent last Saturday.

The museum has one of the largest collections of Gold Cup-winning hydroplanes in the world.

Memorabilia vendors sold vintage buttons, pins and programs. A live auction featured rare hydroplane memorabilia to benefit the museum.

Also …

A reunion and lecture from the Pay ‘N Pak hydroplane racing crew is at 7 p.m. Saturday at the museum, 5917 S. 196th St., Kent. Admission is $10.

Original crew chief Jim Lucero and crew members David Smith, Dixon Smith and Dave Culley will be there. The late George Henley, the smiling, unlimited hydroplane driver from Eatonville, drove the boat to world championships and a pair of Gold Cup wins in 1974 and 1975.

For more information, visit www.thunderboats.org.