5 replies to this topic

[Cheater]

This is a real tragedy. Based on the pilot's 11,000+ hours of flying time, the guess is that some sort of mechanical failure led to the crash. 

 

Historic replica airplane, the Bugatti 100p, crashes near Burns Flat, pilot and designer Scotty Wilson dies.

 

[Bob Kolenda]

Very sad. I have been following this project for years.

[Jairus]

Yeah, me too Bob.
I even saw the original airplane 10 years ago at an Aircraft Museum in Michigan.  Might have been the Yankee Air Museum, but I forget.

[Cheater]

EAA Museum, I think, J.

[Jairus]

Yup, just found it at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
 
Read more: HERE.
 
First time I learned about it was when laying my eyes on its beautiful blue flanks.

[Dave Crevie]

I noticed that the builders expected the plane to be pitch sensitive, not unlike a Bell P-39, which is also mid-engined. This attribute may have contributed to the crash. Prop planes get a considerable amount of lift from the prop. Having the weight of the engine up front helps buffer the "twitcheyness" in pitch and yaw movements. They call it the "dumbbell effect". It's the same thing that makes mid-engined cars handle better that front or rear engined cars.

 

I did not know that Peter Williamson was involved with getting the original to the States. He is a great Bugatti collector and American Bugatti Club supporter. I had the honor of spending a very short time on his ketch, the Ring Andersen. A beautifully restored ship, and a very gracious host.