Burt Rutan (Scaled) Model 367 BiPod: Twin Engine Electric Hybrid With 4 Props!

Props not installed, BiPod 'hops' into the air for first flights  (photos: Scaled Composites)

 (5 pix)

 Oh, it's got two fuselages and 4 wheels too... would you expect anything less unusual from Burt Rutan with his last design project before he retired from Scaled Composites April 2011? If you know anything about the amazing and unique career of Burt, you know this is right down the middle for him!

 According to this Aviation Week article, the BiPod first flew on March 30th, but those were just 'hops' into the air via the driven rear wheels. I'm not sure the current status of flight testing or of the propeller installations. I'm sure more info will surface before long.

Scaled Model 367 with wings and outer tail panels removed for road testing 

 The Scaled Model 367 is unconventional on many levels. It's a roadable electric-hybrid aircraft for two people with an intended high speed cruise of 200 mph. It'll have two 450cc engines (one in each fuselage) powering generators designed to drive two 15kW motors at the rear wheels for 'road mode', and then four 15kW motors spinning props for flight mode. As the illustration below shows, two of those motors are mounted on the wings outboard of the fuselages, and the other two are mounted on the horizontal stab between the fuselages. There are also some small batteries in the nose to provide a little power boost when needed, and also to act as a short duration backup in the event of a total loss of engine power.

Click to read more ...

QuickPic: Precious Metal - The Mixmaster Mustang!

Click the pic to see it over at flickr - or click this link to see it there in its largest size

 'Wow' pretty much describes this view of the Rolls Royce Griffon powered and highly modified P-51 known as Precious Metal. It's a near perfect view of this racer's most notable feature: the counter rotating propellers. Just as exciting as the way this beast looks is the fact that this pic was taken at the 2011 PRS (Pylon Racing School) where pilots and airplanes show their intent to race in September while proving they have the skills needed for safe racing. How fabulous will it be to see this amazing airplane race at Reno again!

 I'm looking to get more details on the status of race prep for the airplane... I admit that with all the avgeek thoughts in my head these days, I'm a little behind in having a lot of detail on the racers prepping up for Reno 2011. What I do know is that Thom Richard plans to race Precious Metal, and the airplane is based out of Kissimmee Florida and connected to Warbird Adventures and the Kissimmee Air Museum. I'm also getting the idea that new paint is in the works... I only hope it's shockingly hot - this airplane demands stellar paint!

 Watch for lots more coverage of this fascinating aircraft in the near future! 

(QuickPic image from flickr.com/photos/twozerowest - more great pix over there!)

Well Done BBC Report On The Duxford Skyraider & P-51 Collision

 This aviation related news report from the BBC is not only highly accurate (a real rarity for the news media) but it also includes and excellent interview with Rob Davies, the pilot of the P-51 Big Beautiful Doll, who bailed out at very low altitude after being hit by a Douglas Skyraider at Duxford over the weekend. While the report doesn't really shed any light on the specifics of why the collision occurred, or the extent of damage that the P-51 incurred from the collision, it gives great insight into the character of the man who very effectively handled a serious emergency. A man who is very fortunate to still be alive.

QuickPic: Unbelievable! Hot Air Balloon Aerobatics?

Click the pic to see it over at flickr or click this link to see it there in its largest size

 I love things that fly, and I love them even more if they're somewhere between kinda quirky and very quirky. So this upside down hot air balloon is pretty high on my list of cool flying machines! No, it's not really inverted, you can see the real basket hanging out the bottom (top?) - and the basket at the top is just a dummy. Pretty clever work by Cameron Balloons a few years back for German industrial company Festo.

 A quick bit research indicates that the two 'opposite' Festo balloons fly together because the pilot in the inverted one can't really see much of anything. The things we humans do to make other humans smile : )

(QuickPic image from flickr.com/photos/spicpix)

Amazing Video Of The Skyraider And P-51 Collision At Duxford Yesterday

 You can see very easily in this video how the Skyraider and P-51 (known as Big Beautiful Doll) wound up making contact after breaking formation on Sunday at Duxford. It's interesting that the P-51 remained somewhat under control for as long as it did, which surely contributed to pilot Rob Davies having the time needed to get out. Still, this is a great example of very quick thinking in the middle of a low altitude emergency! He landed safely under the parachute, and the Skyraider was able to regain control and land without any further damage.  

 There are a lot of images of the incident at this page of the DailyMail website, and you can also see some great images of the damaged Skyraider at this page of the BritModeller website. Ultimately, the airplanes are just airplanes... I'm really happy to see that both pilots survived what could have easily wound up being a very different story had the contact been more direct.

 Let's be careful out there!

The Best Oshkosh Preview Video. Ever. (2011 EAA Oshkosh)

 I'd say this is the best video promo ever for an upcoming Oshkosh. Ever!

 No doubt it'll be an awesome year... it always is. I'll have some preview posts coming up soon, plus the details on the 3 Bacon Parties that'll take place at my campsite - some serious chewing the fat : )

 If you're on the fence about making the trip to the world's greatest aviation event, can I simply suggest you get off the fence and make your plans now. It's the best place on earth for an entire week, you really should be there. 

Caption Contest #60 Winner - Grayout Aerosports Edition!

 The experienced and higly successful captioner known as 'airpigz lurker' has once again earned a bacon sandwich at OSH11 - congrats for stacking up so much bacon goodness!

 And how about a nice round of applause for Billy Werth and his brother David from Grayout Aerosports for their amazing work battling the Pitts against a motorcycle! Please don't try this at home!

Atlantis STS-135: The Sentimental Journey Begins (CoolPix + Must See Video)

(click pic for hi-res)                                                               (photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls)

 I'm a little late to the launch party today because I've been working all day trying to make some much-needed cash. Space Shuttle Atlantis left earth earlier today at 11:29 am EDT on the last scheduled Space Shuttle mission, STS-135. It's a sentimental journey to be sure. I think it'll definitely feel like something is out of place when our only active manned space system is parked for the last time.

 But right now it's all about this current mission and the successful launch today. This beautiful picture taken by Bill Ingalls for NASA shows Atlantis with her nose pointed at the heavens with her tail on fire for the last time. Be sure to click the pic to see it in a big CoolPix size.

 If you haven't been paying attention as these last few missions have been flown in the last year, you might find yourself suddenly aching for more Shuttle. If so, I highly recommend you watch the lengthy and very informative video below. It's full of stunning slow motion video of a range of Shuttle launches from a wide variety of up-close views... plus it has friendly and comfortable commentary to take you on a journey into the inner workings of the launches like you've never seen before. It's simply awesome. It's well worth you finding the 45 minutes it takes to watch it all. Especially now that the Shuttle program is truly coming to an end.

 Godspeed Atlantis.

Back To The Future - Royal Aeronautical Society RAeS RS-002 Video

 If you know about my fantasy design project for a retro airliner that I call the Empress 400, you'll no doubt understand why I like this future airliner concept from the Royal Aeronautical Society. Both employ the 3 lifting surface configuration, or 3LSC, like is seen on the Piaggio Avanti. It seems this futuristic design has actually been around for a few years now, as well as this very sweet animation of the single isle RS-002 concept that includes two open rotor propulsors.

 I was a little confused about the 'wheel pants' on an undercarriage that's meant to retract, but searching around I found this 2009 article at Aviation Week that helped me understand that they are there to reduce the airframe noise generated by the traditionally exposed landing gear. With much of the engine/rotor noise shielded from the ground by the tail, the idea is to further reduce noise by cleaning up the gear when in the lowered position. Interesting. Tho I must say that I really miss the days of a heavily loaded DC-8's screaming their way into the friendly skies! Back then, airliners weren't afraid to make noise, and most of us weren't afraid to let them : )

Caption Contest #60 - Ends Wednesday 7.6.11 At 9PM EDT

 Since Monday was a holiday, I figure we'll just make this Caption Contest run one day short. So you've only got today and tomorrow to come up with the funny stuff to try to win a bacon sandwich at Oshkosh 2011! This will be the last game before OSH, so I hope you get in on the fun. 

 You've got til Wednesday evening at 9pm EDT to submit your clever/funny/cool captions. Then, I’ll pick the best 5 and put ’em in a poll for everyone to vote on for all day Thursday and Friday so we can find the winner. 

 The Rules: 

1) Max of 3 submissions per person

2) Submissions go in the 'comments' area 

3) Game ends Wednesday at 9pm EDT 

4) Keep it clean!

 Then, anyone can cast their vote starting Thursday morning and running thru til 9pm EDT Friday. The winner will be posted Saturday morning 7-9-11. And in case you're wondering, the photo is real. It's from Billy Werth's facebook page -  taken back in May at the Indy Air Show. Please don't try this at home!