Can any ID the American built replica of the Bristol Fighter? It was fitted with a modern engine and steel tubular steel fuselage frame. It was built in the 1980/90s for around $80,000 and featured in either Flypast or Aeroplane Monthly.
Best Wishes
Phil Rhodes
By: Bulldogbuilder - 4th November 2008 at 20:30
Bristol Fighter info
I built the Brisfit that went to N.Z., it is down at this time for an engine rebuild. Seems that Rangers eat oil and sip gas. The museum has one replica, one being built by Stu Tantrum (original parts), and one real one from England.
About the 6 Brisfits in Chino area. Only a couple were ever finished to flying staus. They were to be used in the High Road To China, but the insurance companies said ‘no way’ to experimental aircraft. They were to have the actors in the front seat, and the real pilot in the rear, with the side panel removed, and a windshield put on, to fly looking out the side. (Obviously there is a stick in the back seat.) Thus a close up of non-flying types pretending to be real pilots could be made. Portions of these Brisfits were being built by high school students in the Chicago area (under supervision).
Roger Freeman is building the two in Texas.
By: FiltonFlyer - 20th May 2008 at 23:20
Just to clarify, there were/are several Brisfit replicas in the US.
a) Ed Storo built a replica, first registered in 1992 (N624), using chrome-molybdenum tubing and a modern Ranger engine. This was bought by Peter Jackson in New Zealand in 2002, and is now registered ZK-JNU.
b) up to 6 replicas were built by Visionaire in the early 1980’s for the Film ‘The High Road to China’ but not used. I think only 4 were completed, and two flew. One is now on display at Chino (the second, N34HC) and another at Valle, Arizona (the first, N29HC). One did appear in another film, don’t have the details to hand.
c) The Vintage Aviation Heritage Foundation in Texas are currently building two airworthy Brisfits, one replica and one using an original frame. They are currently on the US register, but I don’t have the numbers to hand at the moment.
d) In 2005, Bob Trickett sold his Brisfit project (which comprised of original parts) in the USA, but I don’t have any details.
As Mark says, I suspect the query refers to Ed Storos one.
Andy A.
By: OHOPE - 20th May 2008 at 20:58
Peter Jackson owns one as well as an original . I believe the replica is powered by a Ranger engine . He also now has his second SE5a and I think a Sopwith Triplane too .
By: Propstrike - 20th May 2008 at 17:46
A number were built (4-6?) in the USA round about 1980 for the movie High Road To China ( Tom Sellick) but not used for some reason, with various Stampes and Stearman being sourced as an alternative, mainly in UK and taken to Yugoslavia.
PPS at Booker were involved, and Dave Perrin lost his life in a helicopter accident during the filming.
By: DazDaMan - 20th May 2008 at 15:55
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is now building a Bristol Bulldog replica.
Crikey! That’ll be interesting to see!
By: mark_pilkington - 20th May 2008 at 13:47
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Ed Storo built a Bristol Fighter replica in the USA, & is now building a Bristol Bulldog replica.
A number were also built for a film in Canada, and they are supposedly in storage in the US?
Regards
Mark Pilkington
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May 20, 2008 at 12:13 pm