The Aerauto PL.5C flying car from 1949 - designed by Luigi Pellarini and using its pusher propeller also for driving and with some obvious safety issues; but drove 2200 km and flew 1800km through Italy without maiming anybody and presented to the archbishop of Milan
Posted by Xeelee1123@reddit | WeirdWings | View on Reddit | 17 comments
Single_Cut2649@reddit
Reminds me strongly of the Seabee!
DonTaddeo@reddit
As a car, there are some major issues.
The tricycle layout with the single front wheel is prone to rolling over in turns. This issue is exacerbated by the high location of the engine which raises the center of gravity.
The fixed pitch propeller is inefficient at traffic speeds.
The light weight construction would provide little protection to the occupants in the event of a crash.
zoinkability@reddit
YalsonKSA@reddit
Busy_Outlandishness5@reddit
I have yet to see a flying car concept that doesn't sacrifice the practicality of one transport mode for the other. Decent planes make lousy cars, and vice-versa.
YalsonKSA@reddit
What the hell was the archbishop of Milan going to do with that?
ContributionDapper84@reddit
0 wheel drive
Fatkyd@reddit
They could have put a safety guard around it like this car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW4oz4YzIks
dog_in_the_vent@reddit
"Didn't even maim anybody!" - NHTSA safety rating
Jessie_C_2646@reddit
"What, never?"
"Well, hardly ever."
Smellynerfherder@reddit
Excellent title!
bonedaddyd@reddit
Upvote for entertaining & informative post title
zoinkability@reddit
Get Aptera on the phone
GlockAF@reddit
Less terrible than most of these designs, not bad looking as an airplane
tadeuska@reddit
The propeller seems quite well protected by tail structures, probability for accidental maiming seems very low. It could be upgraded with a simple duct as well, something like Edgley Optica.
Zakblank@reddit
Makes you glad they invented the true flying car, the Helicopter.
Xeelee1123@reddit (OP)
Source. https://x.com/aviationarchive/status/2037209270299619357?s=43&t=LK9wancJJJ-NBLe0SgvRpA
Source. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerauto_PL.5C
Source: https://www.flyingcarsandfoodpills.com/luigi-pellarini-s-aerauto
Source. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfredo_Ildefonso_Schuster