bugatti P100 flies....then has a minor oops

[oz rb fan]

i know some have been following this project to fly a full sized replica of the stunning bugatti P100....well it flew for the first time this week...just a hop down the runway but got to over 100 feet up....but on landing it floated a bit too much and they ran out of runway plus a brake failure
but here's the video
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=eea_1440 ... comments=1

[tor lives]

There is just something about this aeroplane that I find intriguing. It really is quiet beautiful, and must have looked like something from outer space when first flown.
TOR

[Adam the Akrodude]

Amazing! Shame about the brake failure - bummer! Still, only a small issue and the props stuck dirt - not hard runway, so any engine damage will be minor if non-existent. History has been made!

Cheers for the post Paul. Gonna buy the Fisher kit now? I am tempted, but seriously far too many other builds in the schedule - a good 10+ years worth. What an absolutely beautiful aeroplane though!

[oz rb fan]

Adam i'd love to....but like you i have alot of project moving along.....and the money....still temping

[davecana]

What an absolutely beautiful aeroplane though!

Ettore Bugatti came from a family of artists. His father, Carlo, designed beautiful furniture, and his brother, Rembrandt, sculpted animals, with some being replicated and fitted to radiator caps as mascots. His son, Jean, designed some of the best looking bodies for Bugatti cars. It's a shame that war stopped the original plane from seeing the skies, but at least the replica is proof that Ettore wasn't to far off the mark with plane design.

[Adam the Akrodude]

Amazing - interesting to see such a strong creative "gene" in this family.

[oz rb fan]

well repairs are done and she has flown again...a full circuit and successful landing...looks like Bugatti was right..as soon as i can find a video i'll link it.

[oz rb fan]

as promised ....what an achievement!!!
http://www.ww2aero.com/bugatti-100p-per ... ght-video/

[RHB785]

It says in the blurb for this video that the Bugatti had a computer directed flight control system. I wonder what kind of computer that would have been in the late 1930s. Surely it would have had to have been some kind of mechanical device and more than likely an analogue one at that. I'm sure digital electronic computers didn't come about until during the war eg Colossus at Bletchley Park. It would be interesting to see pictures of this device.

Regards,
RHB.

[Adam the Akrodude]

I'd be very interested finding out what exactly comprises this "computer directed flight control system". This is only a small aeroplane, so hydraulics is out, geared electric actuation too slow, so what is being used to control the aeroplanes control surfaces? Surely it's cable/push rods? Being a V-tail, the "rudders/elevators" must be coupled - like the Bonanza "V-tail". I can see there being a computer controlled engine/fuel management system. Does anyone have any further info on the mentioned computer directed flight control system?

Also, does this replica only do 200 mph with those engines? That's a bit sad I think. Yes it is a seriously beautiful aeroplane and they've now proved it flies. I think it's a shame though that they've limited the performance to 200 mph. Is this right? Are there plans to open the performance envelope using more powerful engines?