There is a group in the US who have taken it upon themselves to build and fly a replica of the Bugatti 100p racer designed, but never flown, in the 1930s. The original aircraft survived the war stored in a barn in France and is now in the EAA museum. The replica performed its first flight just yesterday:
From their Facebook page:
In keeping with our Full-Disclosure policy, here is my summation of our first flight experience:
We intended this flight to be limited to a short hop down the runway to check power required/power available and to check control responsiveness in all three axes. Preflight preparation and before-takeoff checks were normal. Takeoff was normal and at a predetermined reduced power (80%) setting; takeoff roll was 3000 feet and I became airborne at 90 knots. I climbed to 100 AGL to check power and control responsiveness. The plane responded as expected to all power changes and control inputs. Maximum airspeed was 110 knots.
I reduced power for landing but the airplane floated much more than we anticipated. I landed further down the runway than planned but with sufficient distance to stop the plane. Unfortunately, I lost the right brake and the airplane departed the left side of the runway at slow speed. Due to heavy rains the night before, the ground was soft and the airplane tipped upward on its nose, damaging the spinner and both props.
Such is the nature of flight testing a new design. The relevant news is we successfully flew the Bugatti 100P for the first time. The plane flew beautifully.
Due to shortages and cutbacks the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
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A Little VC10derness - http://www.VC10.net - Visit the Forum!
Have heard of it & seen pictures, but had not realised it had progressed that far. Very advanced features, typical of Bugatti of course, but not sure I would trust a whirling contra prop shaft between my legs.....
Good luck though with the endeavour.
Keith
