Bugatti 100p Project News

In the mid 1930’s Ettore Bugatti collaborated with the Belgian aeronautical engineer Louise de Monge to build one of the most advanced aircraft of its time – the Bugatti 100p. Sadly a series of tragic events during 1939 and 1940 conspired to slow the development of the 100P, and in June 1940 – as the Germans marched on Paris – Bugatti stopped work on the project altogether. He dissembled and stored the plane on his estate outside Paris where it remained throughout the war. Bugatti died in 1947. Louis de Monge emigrated to the United States after the war and died in 1977, having never designed another aeroplane.

The original aircraft now resides in the Experimental Aircraft Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, but a dedicated team of enthusiasts are now working to build a flying reproduction of this extraordinary aeroplane.

Lawson Modelmakers originally came on board to manufacture and supply a range of high quality gift models, but seeing the enthusiasm of the US based team, were soon involved in a far more significant manner – to design and build the unique gearbox that transfers drive from the two powerplants to the twin contra-rotating propellers.

Design of the gearbox is now complete and it will shortly start manufacture but the Lawson involvement does not end there, we are now working with a leading UK engine manufacturer to produce the powerplants for the aeroplane. No doubt our involvement will not end there, so please check our dedicated Bugatti 100p webpage for the latest news and further information