Bugatti 100T

Ha! Sarcasm or not, that might (or at least should) end up being the outcome, as they might have difficulty finding someone brave (or crazy) enough to attempt going up in it.

 

Thanks Bob, my lesson for today was to learn about "Frise Ailerons"

As a self-taught RC airplane pilot I've thought about adverse yaw and coordinated turns quite a bit, even before I knew what they were called. Of course there are all kinds of differences between full size and model planes but when my little planes banked to the right for instance I knew that a little right rudder (and up elevator) was usually needed to keep it "carving" a stable, pretty turn. Some RC pilots program their computerized transmitter to automatically "mix" rudder and aileron, but my planes are forgiving enough that I could "bank and yank" or add in some rudder (sometime even opposite rudder and aileron, which I believe is known as "skidding") without getting into much trouble.
Until I got my PBY Catalina that is.... I'm not crashing it nearly as much now but it still needs more speed in turns than it's big wing area would suggest.
Like Bob states above I set up the ailerons to deflect more upwards than downwards using different center points on the L/R servo arms to counteract some of adverse yaw, use a healthy dose of rudder after starting the bank and make sure the CG is a bit towards the nose, if anything.

Reading about the history of the full size PBY and how many variations on rudder size&shape they went through makes me feel a bit better at least, it's far from an aerodynamically pure shape! More like a blue whale carrying a bridge on it's back.

The Bug 100P repro team is steadily moving forwards. I applaud their efforts and wish them nothing but the best, but have to say the questions brought up here by y'all have me feeling nervous for them...

 

From their Facebook page (which they clearly haven't updated in a few years, as they're currently 1yr+ behind the schedule described below):


The Bugatti100p Project
https://www.facebook.com/TheBugatti100pProject/info

About
An ambitious project to build and fly a reproduction of the Bugatti 100P, the most elegant and technologically-advanced airplane of its time. Please 'Like' the project to get regular updates (click for more)
Mission
Our MISSION is to build and fly a reproduction of the Bugatti 100P, the most elegant and technologically-advanced airplane of its time

Our VISION is to recreate – and share with others – the brief period in the late 1930s when Ettore Bugatti and Louis de Monge collaborated to create this singularly unique airplane

Our VALUES include a commitment to honoring the memory of those who designed and built this plane


The Bugatt100p Project Team
Description
Why would anyone undertake to build a reproduction of an airplane that never flew and for which there are no known plans and few relevant drawings? We could make a good argument for building a replica Bugatti 100P based solely upon its heritage. After all, Ettore Bugatti built only one airplane.

But there is more to this airplane than its link to Ettore Bugatti, who collaborated with Louis de Monge on what was to be the last major project for either man.

The Bugatti 100P – an art-deco masterpiece – is arguably the most elegant airplane ever designed. It was also the most technologically-advanced airplane of its time. Designed initially to set a world speed record and to compete in the prestigious Coupe Deutsch air race, the plane also met the criteria for a light-weight fighter and might have been the first technology demonstrator. Had it flown in the summer of 1940, it would be seen today as an historically-significant aircraft; elements of the plane’s most notable features, well established by mid-1937, predate the development of the best Allied fighters of World War II.

Hidden from view for much of the late 20th Century, few enthusiasts know about or have seen this remarkable machine. The original airplane – restored but not airworthy – is too fragile to tour, limiting its exposure to those few who visit the AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The only way we can revisit the classic era of aviation and fly this airplane is to recreate the Bugatti 100P ourselves and share that experience with enthusiasts everywhere!

We started building the replica 100P on 1 July 2009, and have met every major construction milestone. We expect to conduct initial test flights in the summer of 2012, and hope to bring the reproduction Bugatti 100P to Europe in 2013."

 

it seems so odd for them to go to such lengths of originality with the entire project, for authenticity sake, then to change direction with the engines?
I know they are constantly struggling to fund the project - latest is limited edition scale models I heard - but I can't say if that is the prime motivation?

that being said, I hope they persevere, as so many similar type projects eventually never come to completion, and they are still a little way to go yet

to my way of thinking, why not have essentially two version: one built for display which is 100% authentic in design and construction, including engines, etc
the second one build from new light weight materials and engine, with matching or better power-to-weight ration, as a prof of concept flying vehicle & otherwise authentic outward appearance

to me this would be the better way to go IMO

 

How are they going to build two... they can't really afford to build one?

I think there already is an 'original' on display...



...and where are you going to source a couple old Bugatti engines?

 

Thread hasn't seen much attention recently but the Facebook page has been updated with some new content, along with an indication they plan to attempt flight in the Spring. I think it is beautiful and I certainly hope it flies.


Hi-Res of the photo below: https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/964288_544610228949454_426986411_o.jpg

>8^)
ER
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Beautiful??? Most certainly.

Flying... Well, that's a whole 'nother thing...

I wouldn't want to be the guy who has to strap it on and fly something that has such poor calculated stability margins.... That's a great way to get really hurt or wake up dead...

 

Just a thought - is there a wind tunnel big enough to give this a little check ride - before risking life and limb?

Second thought - I don't see any brakes on those wheels...

 

The NASA Ames and Langley tunnels are both big enough, but you can see how it will fly if you do an accurate scale model too.

In the tunnel you mount the aircraft and put it at different flight conditions, you don't really "fly" it, but you can figure out what the forces are. What you are dealing with here is stability and control and since the aircraft in a tunnel isn't moving you really are just getting static data, and you need dynamic data that you can really only get in flight. With the static data you will know most of what you need to know, but it isn't the same as flying the aircraft.

If you have a long enough runway you don't need brakes...

 

Edwards AFB?

 

Pur Sang will make new ones.
Pete

 

Is that spring clamp holding the wing on?

 

It is - they haven't claimed to be finished quite yet. They might even put brakes on it, you never know?

>8^)
ER

 

Guessing it's just keeping the flap or aileron from moving.

It needs a red "Remove before Flight" ribbon on it though.

 

Could it be that somebody subconsciously KNOWS that and this is why they thought they did not need to bother with brakes?

 

Those might just be "roller" wheels...

 

Some recent photos from their facebook page, and this response to a question about their schedule:
"hoping to run #1 engine by Christmas; taxi checks by mid-March."

They have videos of control linkages and landing gear on FB as well, don't know how to directly link them here.
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Damn nothing between your feet and those driveshafts!
Pete

 

Never fear...

Also the caption on the tape measure photo above indicates there will be brakes:

"Nothing remarkable in this photo, just a view of our conventional rudder pedal configuration with "toe brakes". We elected to not duplicate the original rudder pedal and wheel brake setup as it is overly complex and unconventional in operation."

>8^)
ER
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I still do not see any brakes on the WHEELS - that kind of trumps the card of what kind of "toe brakes" they had on the rudders.

Many planes of that era had "heel brakes" which were completely separate little pedals under the rudders, (my early Citabria had these) and I saw no sign of these either.

I still say that this is a display piece and is not destined for flight.

 

They say otherwise about their intent to fly it, pretty clearly in fact.

Also, you were wrong about the lack of brakes on the wheels.

>8^)
ER
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IT'S GOING TO FLY and it will be close enough for me to pay a visit!

Source: Bugatti 100P dream airplane replica to be displayed at the Mullin Automotive Museum - Autoweek

>8^)
ER
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Just read this whole thread... It is a very beautiful project despite the shortcomings. Man, you couldn't pay me to sit between those two driveshafts though... I've grown too fond of my legs over the years.

I'm so darn confused at the engine choice. Those inline-4 bike engines don't make any power down low... they're cammed too radically and don't have variable valve timing, etc. They're only going to make a fraction of the 200hp they make at 10k rpm. It seems to me that they would have been better off building around a car engine out of a Civic Si, etc.

Anyway, best of luck to them.