Ferrari makes helicopter engines?

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Some of you might remember the Photo of the Day with the Ferrari 456M being chased by a helicopter.  Well, I've found another shot of the two, but if you look closely, the helicopter has the prancing horse logo near the engine.

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Does that mean what I think it means?
 
I might use this for my pic of the week tomorow when i do my site. If that's alright with you.
 
I can't imagine Ferrari making Helicopter engines. I think Enzo Ferrari would turn in his grave if they did.
 
Quote: from Mustang man on 6:15 am on June 8, 2001[br]I might use this for my pic of the week tomorow when i do my site. If that's alright with you.
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Sure, go ahead, Mustang.

I thought it was a pretty wild venture for Ferrari, too, but of course, BMW got started building plane engines in WW1 or something.  That's how they got their propeller logo.  And, Lamborghini got started in the air conditioner business...
 
Yeah, actually the very first thing Mr. Lamborghini made was farm tractors.  They've got a picture of one at lamborghini.com, it looks funny to see such a prestigous name on a big old tractor.  :)
 
LOL, definitely not.  It could probably mow a yard faster than a John Deere, though.  :D
 
Well, now that I think about it, who does make most of the lawn mowers/tractors over there?  Do they import John Deeres and other American things?
 
Are you talinkg about Italy or UK because over here, most farmers wont need there tractors anymore after the government killed there animals because of foot and mouth.
 
UK/Europe in general.  I was just curious.
 
Yeah, that picture isn't online anymore. But...no fear! I'll attach it in this post. It really is an interesting picture, although I think it's just a corporate helicopter with a logo instead of one powered by a Ferrari engine. :(
 

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Generally automotive engines aren't really practical for aircraft usage. I know Lexus/Toyota were pushing the 4.0 litre V8 as an aircraft engine back in the early '90s, but don't know if it went anywhere.

From memory, there's a kit plane manufacturer in the US that uses the Subaru 2.5 litre flat four - can't remember the name of it though.
 
Yeah, it's hard to be able to do 90 degree banked turns with most any auto-engine. They throw everything out of ballance. The boxer engine distributes the torque nicely, though, and allows the plane to fly much more smoothly. Keep in mind, they don't have ground to keep them from shaking to bits.

~LoudMusic
 
Originally posted by LoudMusic
Yeah, it's hard to be able to do 90 degree banked turns with most any auto-engine. They throw everything out of ballance. The boxer engine distributes the torque nicely, though, and allows the plane to fly much more smoothly. Keep in mind, they don't have ground to keep them from shaking to bits.

~LoudMusic
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They don't run anywhere near the same revs in aircraft applications that they do on the road though, do they? They only get to peak torque (say mid 3's), they don't usually wind them out.
 
Thanks for the pic, Jordan! It's a bummer to find out that Ferrarri doesn't have their own group to make their own heli&plane engines... I'm sure they could do that, if they wanted to, though.
 
Here's an old link that somewhat relates to this. In the middle of the page is a story obout how Lamborghini got into the Automotive business (thanks to Ferrari) If you onto the Lambo Website you can find a similar story as well (although lot's of things seem to be left out in their version)
Lambo also made Helicopter engines during wartime in addition to Tractors and Air conditioners.

http://forums.gtplanet.net/showthread.php?threadid=3051
 
Nice pic, MistaX. :thumbsup:

Any idea what year the tractor was made? I thought turbos didn't come into use until the late seventies or early eighties...was Lamborghini still making tractors then?
 

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