NGC: Bugatti 100P

[MGPilot]

Possibly the most beautiful aircraft ever designed.

The flying replica is powered by twin Hayabusa engines rather than copies of the original Bugatti engines that cost $300k each...just for reproductions with originals costing [wildly] more.


http://bugatti100p.aero/

Also on Facebook.


Not built for grocery store runs....

[swmckinley54]

  That is delicious.

[Old Jock]

Absolutely amazing

Thanks for posting

It just re-enforces what I'm always telling young un's...........there is almost nothing under the sun that is new especially when it comes to bikes, cars, planes and engines

[oldbike54]

 That's cool !

 Dusty

[Scud]

 

Can we please bring Ettorre Bugatti back from the dead to design the next Moto Guzzi sport bike?

I suppose he could do a cruiser too... but not till the sport bike is on the market.

Here is my deposit:  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Doppelgaenger]

I've been following that plane for a while....

That is easily one of the prettiest airplanes ever made.

[ITSec]

A real trade-off in complexities that reflects when it was designed. Is it easier to sync two engines, or to use a gearbox? I think in the mid-30s they were still figuring that out. The layout of those driveshafts makes me think this might have been impractical to produce as a fighter, although as a racing prototype it would have given the Supermarines something to think about!

[Chuck in Indiana]

The replica has flown. Had an issue on landing roll out, but seemed to fly normally enough in the video. (last year)
I'm leaving right now, but there is a first flight video somewhere on the net.
Yes, the original is awesome. I've seen it many times.

[guzzisteve]

Here is the video, scroll down

http://flightclub.jalopnik.com/breathtaking-blue-bugatti-100p-replica-finally-makes-fi-1725669099

[MGPilot]

It was meant only to break records and bring attention to the Bugatti automobiles (as it originally used versions of their engines for power).

Among the unique techniques to save weight for breaking records was "pressure fitting" parts.

Take a row of kids building blocks, press from the ends, and pick up the entire row -- look ma, no fasteners.

There are places on the airplane that it uses this technique. Although it won't come apart, the pieces will work slightly, creating wear and needing regular inspection & periodic replacement. Not practical at all for a production or military aircraft. But for one, sort of like a Formula 1 racer that would be heavily inspected and serviced between record attempts -- it's an ingenious way to reduce weight.

Still - [wolf whistle] - what a looker!

I had a sailboat whose hull was so pretty, could have just kept it in the house just to look at and not sail. (Of course, at 30' in length, that would be a slight problem.)

The 100P falls in that category.

Hats off to the guys doing the recreation as they were the first ones to really fly this design, see how it actually flies and try to work out the bugs.  Whew.  I bet in designs like that, things can happen pretty fast and it wouldn't surprise me that it's sort of exciting and unforgiving at the extremes of the performance envelope.

[Chuck in Indiana]

it wouldn't surprise me that it's sort of exciting and unforgiving at the extremes of the performance envelope.

I'm betting on a nasty tip stall.. 

[twowings]

I believe that aircraft has a bit of a connection to Tulsa IIRC.....

[Doppelgaenger]

I think it needs twin three bladed props, it would look even prettier. Damn the historical accuracy.

I'd also love to see Jay Leno bring one of his Bugattis out to do a review of it, and get this shot in real life: