A group of talented individuals built a replica of a famous aircraft by Ettore Bugatti. The Bugatti 100P was designed to set a world speed record and to compete in the Coupe Deutsch air race. Although it never saw flight, it is considered one of the most beautiful and advanced aircraft of its time. The original sits in AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The Bugatti 100P design had both engines sitting behind the cockpit with each propeller driveshaft going under the pilot’s elbows. The plane two counter-rotating propellers were powered by two 4.9 L inline-eight engines which produced 450 horsepower each. The engines being used in the replica are 1.3 L Hayabusa motorcycle engines producing around 200 horsepower each. Although the power is less the engines weigh a lot less than the originals.
The plane is still in the testing phase. The most recent test showed the plane was able to reach approximately 60 knots on the runway before power was reduced.
Update 8/20/15 – First test flight video added
Source: Bugatti100P and Bugatti100P Facebook page via Planelopnik