A discussion got me thinking about airplanes again, and I went and did some digging. I wanted to find some pictures of an Unlimited Class Racer with contra-rotating propellers. Because I am a kind soul, I shall share my bounty with you. Meet Precious Metal:
Click to embiggen. Looks just as good sitting on the ground as it does in the air. Man, I really need to get back to Reno.
You might also include some pictures of the Miss Ashley II. Remember? We were at the races the day she disintegrated in mid-flight. Contra-rotating propellers always remind me of that.
http://www.daisey-designs.com/nx13688/ma2/missashley.htm
Actually, I was telling that story to someone which was what brought the google search on. I just couldn’t remember the name of the plane that actually went down.
Neither could I. Clearly I win at finding information on the Internets.
That looks like it started life as a P-51. . . who could do that to a P-51. . . .
Someone who wanted to go 500mph in level flight on a piston engine.
That’s the thing about Reno, people who love seeing warbirds in their original form probably shouldn’t go, since there are some seriously souped up bastards running around out there.
Like Rare Bear.
I don’t know about ‘Precious Metal’, but the article about ‘Miss Ashley II’ states that it used a replica Mustang fuselage. No harm, no foul regarding originality in that case. I’m always saddened whenever I hear about a historical plane crashing at an airshow.