New Piston Driven Aircraft Speed Record Accomplished

[Bergmen]

I've been following this a bit. Steve-o Hinton (Steve Hinton Jr.)set a new top speed record for piston aircraft:

http://www.fai.org/fai-record-file/?recordId=18246

Here is a Facebook page with several videos. Turn your speakers on for the speed runs and turn the volume wide open:

https://www.facebook.com/PursuitAviationCo/?hc_ref=ARTecacmFsGnugzeju5vwqg7D9zgDF0Osz2XL9MsEPCDoQEnZDVkgi8Id6gqFqa4c1s&fref=nf#

There is also a time-lapse video of a repair of the left cylinder bank that is pretty cool.

Dan

[mikeyw64]

I wonder why no one appears to be designing and building a new airframe to have a pop at this?

Both the recent record holders have been modified WWII designs

(not taking anything away, just wondering)

[Bergmen]

I wonder why no one appears to be designing and building a new airframe to have a pop at this?

Both the recent record holders have been modified WWII designs

(not taking anything away, just wondering)

I've wondered this myself. A purpose built experimental would seem to be the way to go here without the compromises a P-51 airframe has.

It wouldn't sound this good though...

Dan

[gPink]

I would like to see the turn arounds at the end of the runs.

[tonedeaf1]

Love to hear the audio live.....

[Rhino]

I wonder why no one appears to be designing and building a new airframe to have a pop at this?

Both the recent record holders have been modified WWII designs

(not taking anything away, just wondering)

There have been several. One in fact by Steve Hinton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunami_Racer
And this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaled_Composites_Pond_Racer

Apparently North American engineers got it right the first time in 1942 with the P-51. Here it is 75 years later and the basic airframe is still breaking records.

[VirginiaJim]

554MPH...

[Rick Hall]

I wonder why no one appears to be designing and building a new airframe to have a pop at this?

Both the recent record holders have been modified WWII designs

(not taking anything away, just wondering)

Suspect a lot has to do with horsepower. I mean there's only so much you can get out of an IO-720, arguably the highest HP current crop of piston AVIATION engines out there.

The Pond Racer (mentioned above) was a VERY viable candidate, but it was a twin.

And then there's "Turbulence". A Lancair with a PT-6 'something' spooned in for power. Totally insane speeds, but it's a turbine. Sure cleans up in the SARL races though!

Rick