FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: WConley on August 06, 2016, 09:05:29 PM
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Story here:
http://kfor.com/2016/08/06/historic-replica-airplane-the-bugatti-100p-crashes-near-burns-flat-pilot-and-designer-scotty-wilson-dies/
Project Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/TheBugatti100pProject/
(https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/10271425_609339945809815_5695728355543673988_o.jpg)
RIP to a determined guy who just wanted to realize his dream!
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A really tragic end to a super cool plane and pilot. Very sad...
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As a kid I had a neighbor (Buick Dealer) that shared owning a WWI Sopwith Camel w another dealer. After restoring it the other dealer flew it once and they sold it in short order because it was so difficult to fly... Old cars are one thing but you got to figure design for flying vs design for rolling down the road is huge.
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The word is that the airplane was more than a handful to fly. It was a bit underpowered with the two motorcycle engines, and the forward-swept wings / funny tail made for some interesting handling characteristics.
The original design was meant for 500 mph top speed, which meant a razor's edge design for the late 1930's technology. Maybe that's why the replica was supposed be going to a museum after that fateful flight. You'd think after you spent a dozen years building a plane you'd want to fly the thing everywhere, right?? There must be a good reason it was going to be parked...
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There must be a good reason it was going to be parked...
I'd guess it was because of the inherent instability. Planes designed to be fast typically aren't very good for 'cruising'. Much like the Jee Bee from the '30's. A Sopwith, with it's true rotational engine, has MASSIVE gyroscopic forces that made it so hard to master. Still, I love those planes!