X-Mozilla-Keys:                                                                                 
Wrathall Mark wrote:

I just bought a book on the fastest propeller aircraft in the world. It
traces the
world speed records but with coverage of the interesting also-rans and
might-
have-beens. It had the following  German projects in it. (Book is in German)

This guy Luigi Colani started planning an NSU wankel powered record breaker
with a titanium space-frame skinned with composites in 1968. The pilot was
supposed to lie inside. 9 years later he moved on to the BOHU, powered by 2
400hp Mazda Rotaries.(Calculated Top Speed with the centripetal propellers -
894KM/H).

In 84 he reappeared with the Pontesina. Still more powerful mazda's and
contra-
Rotating props. In 85 the new Pontesina was shown with two turbo four rotors
(1400 HP is mentioned in the text) driving contra-rotating props in the
rear. Top
speed is given as 940 KM/h.

None ever flew.
 <<Colani Bohu.jpg>>  <<Colani Pontresina 1.jpg>>  <<Colani Pontresina.jpg>>

Mark, Is Mr. Colani still alive? We need him on the newslettter.
Have an address for him?

Paul Lamar
 
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