View Full Version : Strange Aircraft / Silverstone
Maxflyer
10th Jul 2005, 19:40
I have just returned from an enjoyable weekend at Silverstone with Mrs MF, we watched the usual hordes of helicopters, but on Sat PM and shorthly after today's F1 Grand Prix there was a large twin engined bi-plane relatively low and more peculiarly it had no visible wing markings.
Anyone shed any light?
It looked like something Howard Hughes could have come up with!
treadigraph
10th Jul 2005, 19:50
The Vickers Vimy? Or a Dragon Rapide?
matspart3
10th Jul 2005, 20:06
It was the Vimy...(Google Vimy Steve Fossett for details) Made an approach at Silverstone before landing at Turweston. Nearly fell of my chair when I saw it, although that could be alcohol related.:O
Was going to pop in to Turweston on the way home, but as I sat in the campsite exit queue, it departed.
Maxflyer
10th Jul 2005, 20:19
How come it didn't have any wing markings?
matspart3
10th Jul 2005, 20:42
I'm guessing now, but I suspect it's US registered. I have a vague idea that the FAA doesn't require registration to be carried under the wing
treadigraph
11th Jul 2005, 07:03
Yep US registered and no US requirement to carry an underwing - stops people claiming "it was so low I got me the varmit's number"!
Believe it or not they have just flown that clean across the Atlantic (it did not come in a crate). Took a good look at it yesterday and it appears to be powered by two large Chevy like engines. Fantasic.
aerobatic_dude
11th Jul 2005, 19:31
Got a look at th eVimy when it stopped in here for 800litres of Avgas
Powered by 2 600hp engines. But Steve was saying they limit them to about 350 - 360hp and the rest of the grunt is there if they want. Fuel burn is 30odd litres per hour between the two engines.
75 - 80mph cruise
QDMQDMQDM
11th Jul 2005, 19:37
15 litres per hour for a 600hp engine? I think not! Gallons perhaps?
eggplantwalking
12th Jul 2005, 12:22
QDMQDMQDM
The formula I was taught to calculate fuel burn for an aircraft engine was: 3/4 pint per HP/HR ( using US gallons ). Depending upon how much power was used ( % of max rated power ) in any flight regime, you could approximate the fuel consumed in an hour. The T-6, for example, had a 600hp engine and in cruise we burned around 25-30 USG per hour depending on the cruise power setting used. Perhaps with a modified car engine; however, this formula would not be accurate.
bletchleytugie
20th Jul 2005, 18:54
Had a look at the Vimy whilst preparing to land out in a K21 glider at Winchombe near Cheltenham at 18.00 on the Saturday evening.
P2 refused to believe that it had flown across the Pond.
Shame it did'nt make it to Fairford for the show, would have kept me ammused for hour refuelling that with avgas.