New Spitfire Sqn to be formed.........

[Nickolas]

Have a read of this...........2012 rocks..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-ox ... e-16286762

[Cluny]

I expect to see them buzzing around soonish then

[Mayfly]

Hmmmm I would have thought one a month is ambitious but it doesn't give enough info to know how they are going about it.

Good luck to them tho'.

[ActionArt]

Nice! I hope they visit here someday...

[Dan4th]

What arer they running for engines?

Or did I miss that part........

Danf.

[Cluny]

Depends on the version .
Here you go Danf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Spitfire_Mk_26

Edit
That was weird , it decided to post itself before ive finished typing

[Dan4th]

Thanks, Paul........

I just looked at their website and evidently
they now offer a 6.0 V-8 engine as well!

While they don't SAY what its origins are, I
suspect it's a GM 350 small block bored-out
slightly and modified for aircraft use....

http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/About.htm

With 450 HP, I expect it kicks a little more
arse than the other lumps, but I guess the
airframe might limit what you can do.

Don't want any WINGS falling off or anything

Thanks again:::::::::

Danf.

[Ducati Boy]

Brilliant little replica. Was chewing over the possibility of making one with some mates a few years back at Waddo Air Show in 2008. The retailers had one in mid-build on display. At that time estimated cost with the basic engine was £60,000 plus, we nearly went for it as all of us are aircraft engineers and it would be a straight forward build. £25K each plus running costs. I seem to remember the cost of the alternative 450 horse Yank V8 truck engine (approved for aviation) was near as much as the cost of the airframe kit!!

Wouldn't worry about the engine power D4th, the airframe is plenty strong enough for much more than 450 horses I reckon, its a proper metal aeroplane. I believe the originals had a Jaguar V-12 engine, that would sound fabulous. Accommodation is snug if your my size and the rear passenger sits with feet either side of the pilot. I would love one, but of course a Mustang II or III in RAF colours with Malcolm canopy and powered by a super-charged, fuel injected Jaguar V-12 bored to 7 litres (400+ coobs to you colonials)would really be the dogs danglers. One can dream

[Xplumberlives]

That would be interesting D.B.

Just one question about these new "LITTLE" Spitfires, Why didn't the designers get the fin and rudder shape correct?

[Jet Morgan]

That would be interesting D.B.

Just one question about these new "LITTLE" Spitfires, Why didn't the designers get the fin and rudder shape correct?

Just checked out the link, yes the tail does look a little odd.

Question from a newbie: Why make them 90% original size and not just make them the same size, even if the frame and mechanics of it are different wouldn't the extra 10% dimensions be worth while to make it 'right'?

[Gaz]

That would be interesting D.B.

Just one question about these new "LITTLE" Spitfires, Why didn't the designers get the fin and rudder shape correct?

Just checked out the link, yes the tail does look a little odd.

Question from a newbie: Why make them 90% original size and not just make them the same size, even if the frame and mechanics of it are different wouldn't the extra 10% dimensions be worth while to make it 'right'?

Copyright issues

It's legally different
































Possibly!!

[Xplumberlives]

Blimey, R.J. would be turning in his grave!

[Ducati Boy]

Buying the correct Merlin/Griffon engine alone for a full size replica Spitfire would probably cost more than a whole 2/3 replica, add on maintenance of such a donk and Ouuuuucccchhhhh!! Hence the reason to build a replica I guess.

XP, Mk XII Griffon engined Spitfires had a very similar pointy fin shape so is it really wrong? The general fuselage proportions though don't appear to match the real thing, seems a bit too long. I imagine the shape is the result of aerodynamic calculations and tests and compromises to get it to fly right. I have seen one fly and they do give the overall impression, beauty and grace of a Spitfire. Not a true Spit but what fun it must be to fly, a million times more fun than a Cessna 150. Looking at the fin/rudder it might be the rudder is larger for more control authority on the replica? Not sure but wasn't the original Spit subject to some problems in that direction initially?

[Terryjones]

It's a shame they can't do them full size but it's still a great project, can't wait to see them
The fin shape on the Spit above is fairly common though I suspect it was for clipped winged versions. At 80% the cockpit is clearly out of proportion, I'm wondering if that is going to be the case at 90%.
Shame no one is doing any Me-109s, new Battle of Britain film?

Terry

[Xplumberlives]

D.B. and Terry

Having looked at a couple of later marks of Spitfire there is a similarity between those and the fin shape of the "NEWBUILD" BABY Spitfires.

I would love to think they might paint them in a realistic camouflage scheme with Squadron code letters!