Modern Vespa

Piaggio also stands out in the skies!!

Okay...is that a single plane that was cut and pasted on top of each other..?..?
Orrrrrr, really 5 planes in that close of formation.

How did take that pic? Hanging out the rear of ????
Did Piaggio make that thing? What is it called?

Hmmm, fascinating ...

In that first photo, that's an awfully tight formation for a group of prop planes!

Also, greets and cheers to everyone (introductory post).

I think the photo is real. Look closely at the propellers. No two airplanes have both propellers in exactly the same position. Those are 5 different airplanes. And the pilot in the first plane is looking to his/her right while the pilot in the second plane is looking straight ahead, as he/she damn well should be in close formation. I have flown formation in another life (in propeller aircraft) and the photo is believable with qualified pilots, although I have to say that formation is pretty sloppy.

it might be a sloppy formation but those planes are awsome. I bet their speed is pretty darn good and combine that with what looks to be good handling, oh yeah

Don't get me wrong, those things look awesome... they just look like they could really dice each other up like that. Then again, there's no telling how the perspective of the shot might be affecting the actual locations of the planes in reference to each other.

Grimcity, howdy from Baton Rouge and welcome to Modern Vespa. I was in Hammond yesterday for the 2nd Annual Dutch Battle Memorial Ride. I rode over on the MP3-500 with about 30 sport bike riders. It was a great day.

Here is one picture:



The entire set of some 83 photos can be seen here:

http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c204/EdInBTR/My%20Pics/MAC/Dutch%20Battle%20Memorial%20Ride%202008/

I hope we get to meet and ride together soon. Did you buy your MP3 in New Orleans or Baton Rouge?

Edit: And so as not to hijack the thread, I love the pics of the Piaggio airplanes. I am a licensed pilot since August 30, 1976, but have not been current in about 12 years. I owned a Cessna 172 and then a Mooney M20F Executive. After I sold those, I rented for a bunch of years. Now I get my adrenaline rush by dumping the MP3-500 hard into corners with sport bike riders trying to keep up with the old man, but THEY CAN'T!!!!!

Looks like a modern take on a Vari-Viggen. Glad to see Burt Rutan's basic design is still being used.

Apparently the aerospace division of Piaggio was sold off years ago and is no longer part of the group. It has still retained the name though. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

EdinBTR: what windscreen do you have on that bike?

Ed! This is Neal! I met you over at Vespa BR last week... I'm the PT Cruiser guy that was trying to sell a car so I could get a Demon Black 500!
I put an ad on Craigslist two nights ago, and unless something goes wrong, they'll be doing the paperwork tomorrow!

I will be getting mine in Baton Rouge though... I'm hoping my wife might be up for a trip that way Saturday if any black ones are in, I don't want my first ride to be during BR's east bound rush hour.

(Many apologies for the threadjack, it's a small world!)

I remember seeing the new Piaggio aircraft on MegaWorld Italy. From memory, due to the aerodynamics and engines it is the fastest Propjet powered aircraft in the world.

And because the engines are behind the cabin, the engine resonance is really reduced throughout the cabin so it is quiet for the high-flying millionaire sitting inside drinking champagne.

That is the genuine Piaggio windshield.

Hi Neal! Great to see you on here. How could I forget with that grin that you had on your face as you left the dealership. Congratulations on selling the car. I know you are excited.

I was over at the storage warehouse this past saturday and I saw 3 MP3-500's in there and I am pretty sure that one was a black one.

I understand about making your first ride on I-12 in rush hour traffic. Not a pleasant thought.

Let me know if there is anything that I help you with. If you get the bike Saturday and you want to go out and ride a bit to get comfortable with it before getting on the interstate, just give me a call on my cell and I will be glad to do that. The guys at Vespa BR have my cell number. Heck, I think Corey has me on speed dial.

Congratulations again and I look forward to riding with you,

It looks like it won't be this Saturday because we have to ump through 7 business days of title-related paperwork (the car is in estate, then my wife has to have it in her name, then she can set it up so the folks buying it can put the title in their name, I'm really fuzzy on that).

Either way though, I will be getting a black 500 as soon as all this car stuff is done... I'll have to get a windscreen like yours mounted on it though... that thing is perfect, as is your Mp3... but yeah man, if you're willing to take your time to help me out, I'll buy lunch! I also look forward to riding with you... you're a super nice person and I really enjoyed talking to both you and Corey.

Maynard, my apologies for the distraction of the thread... I'm just a bit anxious about this and surprised to re-meet Ed!

Welcome to the brother and sisterhood of MP3 riders. Buying lunch is not necessary and I would be delighted to do anything that I can to maximize your safety and enjoyment of your MP3. Thanks very much and the feeling is mutual. I know how it is to be getting your first, and even your second, MP3. Been there and done both. Corey is an awesome guy and will go WAY out of his way to insure that your experience is a pleasant and satisfying one. Don't sweat it. Threads get hijacked all the time.

Let me know when you get your bike and when you are free to ride. I am usually off Friday afternoons and most weekends, but can usually get free most other times if I don't have a meeting with a client, so don't hesitate for a second to ask the guys to call me and we will get you familiar with your new baby.

I look forward to seeing you again very soon,

I'm not familiar with the term Propjet...I assume that you mean turboprop?

Yep, propjet=turboprop.

The P.180 reminds me more of another Rutan design, the Beech Starship. Here's one in formation with White Knight/SpaceShipOne:

The airplane is the Piaggio p-180 Avanti. It was originally developed in the early eighties but what for whatever reason was not a commercial success. The new airplane is a totally different machine! State of the art electronics and instrumentation, 400+ kts airspeed (450+ mph) at FL330 (33,000 feet) super quiet and comforable cabin! Does this sound like an ad??

What? Who?

I agree; but his subsequent work shows a family resemblance to the VariViggen.

Well certainly it all goes back to the VariViggen. Among singles, though, I'd say the Piaggio is closer to the Long EZ.

Sticky, Burt Rutan is a modern aviation giant-probably the last of the breed-a guy who started out designing and building planes in his garage and ended up creating the first civilian spacecraft. Add to that creating the first aircraft to fly around the world without refueling (co-piloted by brother Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager), and then another to do the same with a solo pilot.

BTW, none of this is meant to take anything away from the Avanti. It's cool stuff!