I flew into Enstone to-day with the intention of having a look at the MK26 Spitfire production line. I found a huge modern hangar – much like a very large poly tunnel but posher with around twenty GA aircraft parked inside.
In the line up was a three quarter scale Mk26, with the cowlings off receiving some attention, a fuselage being built, and most noticeably of all a rather beautiful Mk26B to a scale of about ninety percent and featuring some of the smoothest metalwork I’ve ever seen.
This machine is an absolute corker; with a cockpit which looked very military and in tune and a set of u/c oleos which wouldn’t, in terms of their dimensions, disgrace the real McCoy. The camouflage paint finish was a joy to behold. There are shares for sale in these machines with prices ranging from 10 – 20K.
We met the proprietor, a gregarious and knowledgeable bloke named Paul who carefully explained the background to what they trying to do. He was very much aware of some of the comments passing around about his emterprise and took them with a large pinch of salt.
His Mk26 is an exceedingly handsome machine and to most eyes identical to the real thing. Go and have a look. Paul welcomes visitors.
By: Robert Whitton - 15th June 2014 at 09:50
Here is one taken recently at Scone (Scotland).
By: John Green - 13th June 2014 at 09:50
Re 5
Oddly enough, the back seat is more than adequate. The designer has managed to make a two seater tandem look like a single seater when looking at the a/c parked.
I.m not physically big or particularly small – pretty average. The back seat is not a problem for me. The division of space between front and back has been well thought out. This was something I had a good look at knowing that my wife would be particularly interested in whether she could safely deploy her knitting needles.
The view from the back is limited only because the pilots head prevents forward observation. It has been very cleverly done.
By: Moggy C - 13th June 2014 at 08:02
I back-seated in an RV8 yesterday. Very pleasant. RV6 coming up today. Decisions, decisions.
Moggy
By: mike currill - 12th June 2014 at 21:14
In would imagine that if you built it as a two sweater you would not be able to go very long before the back seaterbwas calling for a comfort stop. I guess the back seat would be very cramped, throw in very limited view and the backs eater would be glad to get out which would be a bit of a circus act.
By: Moggy C - 12th June 2014 at 12:30
I don’t see their ‘new’ price as totally out-of-court. It’s just with a substantial vehicle park of RVs in this country their second owner price is more affordable, whereas until there are lots around the 26 will tend to hold its price.
I’d love one, or a share in one, but I have to be realistic.
Moggy
By: John Green - 12th June 2014 at 11:32
I don’t think they are built with the intention of fooling anyone. If you know the form and line of a genuine Spit – I’ve seen them in action – it’s obvious there is some divergence. However, the overall impression of the Mk26B is that it is a credible design. What was so evident was the quality of the metal finishing.
If all that you want from this a/c is ‘posing’ then this is the one for you. I would guess if you pitched up at some aerial event somewhere, you’ll rapidly become the center of attraction in the nicest possible way.
As for price. Parked alongside our patch is a Dynamic. Not sure whether it is aerobatic or not – the price isn’t, it is stratospheric – £100,000. Personally, they do not appeal to me. Give me the Mk26B any day.
If you get the chance to go to Enstone to ‘see and feel’ do go. You’ll be made very welcome.
I’ve just noticed that the ‘blurb’ advertises that this a/c is stressed to +6/-4 and is ‘permitted limited aerobatics’. No detail as to what constitutes ‘limited’: lazy eights, chandelles, cubans ?
By: Moggy C - 11th June 2014 at 21:48
The issue is that they are a GA aircraft – and not approved by the LAA in the UK for aerobatics.
Apart from their iconic looks (if you ignore the canopy and other details) they offer a lot less than a Van’s RV will deliver for multiples of the price.
Maybe when their scarcity wears off and they reach more realistic price levels they will be worth considering.
And I’m speaking as somebody currently looking for a new aircraft.
Moggy
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June 11, 2014 at 9:10 pm