Bugatti 100P

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Not heard of this aircraft (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2569407/Bringing-Bugatti-100P-life-Engineer-plans-recreate-500mph-WW2-plane-never-took-skies.html) before..

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/02/27/article-2569407-1BE01B3E00000578-255_634x385.jpg

Very clean looking aerodynamics.

(usual disclaimer: not usually a DM reader!)

[Allan Lupton]

A few years ago I came across Bugatti Aircraft Association (http://www.bugattiaircraft.com/index.htm)
and more recently The Bugatti 100p Project - An ambitious project created to build and fly a replica of a magnificent aeroplane (http://bugatti100p.com/)

which saves admitting to reading the Daily Wail or Faecebook

[Sir George Cayley]

Just looked at their Facebook page which I heartily recommend.

SGC

[fdcg27]

Did this radical looking machine ever fly?
The wing loading would be pretty high and the tail looks inadequate.
What I take to be the cooling air inlets in the forward edges of the V-tail wouldn't be a help.

[Kitbag]

Did this radical looking machine ever fly?No, see here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugatti_Model_100)

Seems like it finally flew 19 Aug 15

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Video here (http://www.newson6.com/category/121535/video-page?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5915881).. and a squillion photos here (http://www.bugatti100p.com/general-photos.html)..
Looks like a v serious project..:D

[Wander00]

Certainly a serious piece of work. Good luck to the project team

[Jhieminga]

Did this radical looking machine ever fly?
Let's correct Kitbag's previous answer... YES! At least, the replica did.

https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11885247_843354212408386_8964493200262271154_n.jpg?oh=721bc1 fe40ae7a254295115f28e79037&oe=56801E97

Quote 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.

From: https://www.facebook.com/TheBugatti100pProject

[Kitbag]

Well they finally got it airborne, and it certainly looked good. Hope the repairs are quick and simple, and they can properly explore the aircrafts capability.
Was amazed at how small it is too.