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By: - 18th September 2017 at 09:41 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Looks pretty good to me but then I'm biased as I fly a Victa Airtourer. Another good example of Ozzie engineering.
By: - 18th September 2017 at 10:12 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Very nice :) Have fun flying!
By: - 18th September 2017 at 11:07 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Looks great!!
By: - 18th September 2017 at 12:06 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Great stuff! I really like that.
By: - 18th September 2017 at 12:55 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Great job she's a looker !
By: - 18th September 2017 at 13:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Very nice indeed, and your comments made me chuckle.
Out of interest, what does the handle do with the massive R pin? ("Remove before flight")
I thought at first maybe a ballistic parachute, but then thought the machine would be too heavy for such an item.
By: - 18th September 2017 at 13:56 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Thanks! The R flag is indeed for a BRS system, it is a high speed unit for 325 km/h and 625kg. The emty weight is 370kg, 80 litres of fuel, 1000 km range at 130 knots cruise. Currently working on the radiators, which will be mock ups and fitted adter the initial flights, and serve as storage for long range trips...
By: - 18th September 2017 at 15:05 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Nice flaps!
Cheers
Cees
By: - 18th September 2017 at 18:09 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Do you mind if I post these photos to a Spitfire group on Facebook?
By: - 18th September 2017 at 18:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Rather nice
By: - 18th September 2017 at 18:19 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Great work, congratulations! Always happy landings! Those who criticize this kind of aircraft have little clue regarding the amount of work that goes into itö.
By: - 18th September 2017 at 18:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
All the best for you with your homebuilt!! The most impressive part is still waiting for you. I made the maiden flight with my homebuilt aircraft 17 years ago. It is still a feeling like it was yesterday.
By: - 18th September 2017 at 21:48 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
That is absolutely gorgeous, many congratulations both on your extraordinary craftsmanship and also on your healthy attitude to naysayers!
I would love to see that at Legends ;-)
By: - 19th September 2017 at 00:48 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Looks great! Hope you enjoy it every time you fly it.
By: - 19th September 2017 at 07:40 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Lovely looking aircraft.
I know nothing about building replica aircraft, but I wonder why it's 75% and not full size ?.
Was it a cost issue ?
By: - 19th September 2017 at 07:50 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
More than likely an engine availability issue. A full size replica would undoubtedly require a Merlin, and they are expensive.
By: - 19th September 2017 at 08:05 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
A full size replica would undoubtedly require a Merlin
Or an Allison....
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By: - 19th September 2017 at 08:07 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Having said that, there was also this....
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....with a 400hp Jaguar.
And this....
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....with a 350hp Lycoming.
By: - 19th September 2017 at 08:16 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi Daren,
Feel free to post the pictures on the Spitfire page! The 75% scale is due to engine choice, you really have to go big and powerfull for a full size, plus I got a set of jigged 75% outer wing panels, which were the core of the project, which kinda locked me into this size. Fuselage, wing and tailfeathers are proportional to the MK1, and had I built it larger with the wings I had the chord would have looked wrong. Additionally, as this is registered as a recreational experimental homebuilt (ahh, the freedom we have here in Australia :eagerness:), I had to stay under 600kg MTOW. Should I suffer another prolonged lapse of reason and want to punish myself, I might build a 90% Bf109, D or E model. Much easier, lots of straight bits like wings and elevators. Building the tailfeathers, wing tips and flaps for the Spitfire from scratch was a real challenge, there isn't a straight line or non tapering bit! But it has been fun and a priviledge to have the opportunity to see this turn from a pipe dream to a living and breathing aircraft :)
By: - 19th September 2017 at 08:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Should I suffer another prolonged lapse of reason and want to punish myself, I might build a 90% Bf109, D or E model
I know of someone who is building a full-scale version....!
Posts: 28
By: Zodiacchris - 18th September 2017 at 09:34 - Edited 2nd October 2019 at 11:40
After starting construction in 2010, my tribute to K5054 has now passed the permit to fly inspection and we are waiting for the permit to commence test flying.
Disclaimer: Based on the Australian Supermarine Spitfire MK25, this is a 75% all metal scale replica with retractable gear, so most of you can now stop reading, and please don't mention this to Caroline G. ?
However, the aircraft has been mostly scratch built and I hope I managed to avoid most of the ugliness of the replicas. The aircraft has been painted in Cerulean Blue, which, with the kind assistance from the great people running the Tangmere Museum, has been paint matched against the original prototype colour, as have the markings, some of which still need to be applied. With the airframe serial K5054, our Spitfire can carry the original markings on the rudder, however, the registration number on the fuselage is 19-6054, the closest I could get.
While there are obvious differences to the original like the three bladed prop (which you can't see when the engine is running) and a lot of other things, I do hope that when flying past at 500 feet, the Spitfire will be a fitting tribute to JR, and the Fighter. And no, it won't be at Legends, and if you don't like it stop reading, go in your workshop and build your own...
Test flying should commence here in Taree, Australia, in October in the capable hands of the new owner, Captain Neil Cooper of Virgin Blue.
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Blue skies and happy landings!
Chris