RUMCars Forum
General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: AndrewG on May 30, 2009, 11:18:26 PM
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Not a microcar, but I think I've seen this bike mentioned here - the autoguro, sub-aqua and rocket-firing Vespa of Dick Smart (pronounced Deeek Smart in an Italian accent!). Well, here is a 10 minute edit of action scenes of the film/programme it came from.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W21T2x1AVQA
I note that it never seems to stop wobbling whenever it's moving!
Andrew
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Great stuff! You're right about the wheel wobble and vibration, perhaps that's how he got his name!
There are separate machines for flying and water, I think the autogyro might be a Wallis, as in Wing Commander Ken Wallis (of top Boffin ever, and James Bond fame) or it could be a Campbell Cricket. I love autogyros, and Wallis is an incredible person. He made a huge and very rakish/pimpish sports body for his Rolls Royce, fitted with 1/2 million candle power searchlights for headlamps.
Like the shots of Rio too. One of my earliest memories was calling there on the way to Montevideo and taking the cable car up Cocovada mountain, and looking up at the statue of Jesus which disappeared into the clouds. Somewhere in that series there is almost bound to be a shot with a Messerschmitt, Heinkel or Isetta in it.
Off topic perhaps, but many thanks for that!
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What a great link!!! :o Unfortunately I don´t understand chinese but the pictures are without the caption very interesting too. Beside the Vespa is a Mivalino parked. The Messerschmitt cabinscooter wich no one knows ;)
(http://www.austrovespa.at/av/files/vespa%20FF%20Streamliner%20gefunden.jpg)
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Nice! Do you own the Vespa? I did not spot the Mivalino, but yes I have heard of them and SEEN one. It is/was in the Design Museum, London. It's described as a Messeschmitt KR 200, but its fibreglass roof and a few other things identify it as an Italian-made Mivalino. |I will have to have another look.
Is the Vespa working?
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Sadly no, I´m not the owner of this curious veicle. There is a restored one in a museum, but I don´t know if its the original one or a replica. However, I think the location the unrestored Vespa was photographed is very interesting! Where is it ???
(http://vespa-p200e.de/Images/Vespa_alpha__Piaggio-Museum.JPG)
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Well there you are, I said it looked like a Wallis, and there on your new pic its says "Wallis" on the tail, and a GB registration. Right who gives me the prize of a Tunnocks Tea Cake?
Does that one actually use the same motor to power the prop? Where is it? Wow! I really must get on and publish the book I have written about my Great Uncle's amazing inventions, which include planes and Autogyros.
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Here's a Spanish programme about Ken Wallis's autogyros, there is some nice footage even if you don't understand the commentary. Fully air-borne within 4 seconds!
The smallest engine he used was apparently 600cc, so I think the Deeek Smart Vespa had a few mock up extras, then the film cuts to a shot of a Wallis A/G fitted with a lookalike body. When they planned the series they would have had the Vespa and Wallis styled similarly.
93 and still going, Wallis holds dozens of World Records, including the WR for being the oldest pilot to set a WR ! Top Boffin!
All very off topic, but I did not start it! Wait a minute though.....small, 3 wheels, 1 or 2 seats, under 750cc, unusual, characterful...perhaps not SO far off topic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOh8juOEuFI