Replica aircraft have been built in small production runs, examples being Fw190, Me262 and Nakajima ki-43 Oscar.
But none of these are British which made me start thinking about what I would like to see built as a batch. An extinct type would be preferable so batches of Spitfires dont count.
If you allow practicality to be rule your head then my choice would be the Miles M20, wooden construction, simple systems, single Merlin engine, high performance.
If you wander deeper into the realms of the unlikely then a Whirlwind would be tops, but two engines of a type not readily available, metal structure, none starter really.
Other possibilities could be a 1/2 Scale Stirling like Shorts did with the S.31, in wood, modern engines, room for two, four engine reliability, good performance, might happen.
Or a Airspeed AS30 Queen Wasp, 350hp Cheetah engine should be a few about, simple construction, fairly fast, practical.
I am just planning ahead for when I win the lottery, so what would others like built.
Richard
By: Zac Yates - 17th May 2009 at 18:55
P.S. my dream 100% non-flying model/replica would be the Heston-Napier ‘Racer’!
From memory Skysport’s Tim Moore(?) has a similar dream….:D
For me, there’d be a shortlist: Spiteful/Seafang, Master, Typhoon/Tempest, Oxford come to mind.
By: longshot - 17th May 2009 at 12:45
Large scale models
I’m surprised there are less full scale non-flying replicas of peoples favourite extinct types…. there isn’t one (afaik) of the DH Hornet , though the painstaking restoration of a real one is a live project….the 1/4 and 1/5.4 scale flying models are seriously impressive (see link, includes youtube link)….guess the first step is to switch off that time-sponge computer and start carving wood!!……..
http://www.dhhornet50.net/index.php?f=data_home&a=8
P.S. my dream 100% non-flying model/replica would be the Heston-Napier ‘Racer’!
By: Sealand Tower - 17th May 2009 at 11:48
What a handsome beast….to keep it nicely Martin Baker they should contact Captain Bob at Chalgrove to test fly it !
By: Zac Yates - 17th May 2009 at 10:34
The most recent I’ve seen of the MB.5 is dated 2006 and the aircraft is taxiing. John Marlin at Reno was/is the man behind the project, his website is here: http://johnmarlinsmb5replica.mysite.com/photo3_3.html. I saw comment somewhere saying it was a waste of a perfectly good P-51D wing…
By: Sealand Tower - 17th May 2009 at 10:08
Didn’t someone in the US begin to build a Martin Baker MB.5 to airworthiness but never completed it ?
By: Zac Yates - 17th May 2009 at 06:53
If I’m not mistaken – and please correct me if I am – but the three examples given above (Oscar, 262 and 190) all started with wreckage or complete original aircraft for use as patterns. Also, the aircraft “recreated” are quite significant and well-known amongst the likely customers. I imagine you’d have a lot more takers for a new-build Fw190 than a Westland Whirlwind or an M20 (shelters behind the sofa).
That’s not to say that I don’t agree with recreation of British subjects if the money and time is there. I for one would love to see a Spiteful, even if only static. But the market would generally dictate what would be produced, is that right? If those who have the interest have the money, then at least a start could surely be made on certain types?
Phillip, I agree about the Typhoon – of the extinct or nearly-so types the Tiffie seems logical, being a single-engined aircraft and only one example remaining. What to power it though….;)
Build me a Spiteful and I’ll be happy.
By: beurling - 17th May 2009 at 01:48
I think 1.5M is a little to conservative being that would be the cost to build the necessary jigs and tooling to start off with. For 3 aircraft of aluminum build the price tag would likely be closer to 3M USD each.
By: Phillip Rhodes - 16th May 2009 at 17:51
If you were to built flying replicas then it will cost millions. That said, if you choose the right aircraft, you might end up with a few orders. My money would be on the Typhoon (single engine). I would imagine that there maybe three or four collectors who would pay $1.5m each for an exact replica. Let’s say you had three orders that would be $4.5m. Does it matter that the aircraft are built in the UK? I would imagine that the first thing to do was undertake an expressions of interest – emailing the right people. Yes we are in the middle of a recession, but people still have money to burn. You’d need a main contractor (Hawker Restorations or other) and plans. Access to original material would be helpful. Just a suggestion…
By: Rlangham - 16th May 2009 at 17:40
There’s a Supermarine Walrus being restored to fly, G-RNLI, can’t wait to see it
By: austernj673 - 16th May 2009 at 15:59
Supermarine Walrus, great looking aircraft in it’s own way and multi crew.
By: Cees Broere - 16th May 2009 at 15:57
Don’t worry Richard,
A Miles M20 would be nice too.
Cees
By: pogno - 16th May 2009 at 15:53
Aren’t we forgetting David’s Hornet project, Ellliot’s Whitley project and John and Martins Stirling cockpit projects?
The Defiant comes to mind too.
Cees
Cees
Sorry I meant to say that it was airworthy replicas I was thinking of, although a fine static example is nearly as good and I applaud the superb efforts being made by the gentlemen you refer to.
Richard
By: Cees Broere - 16th May 2009 at 15:46
Aren’t we forgetting David’s Hornet project, Ellliot’s Whitley project and John and Martins Stirling cockpit projects?
The Defiant comes to mind too.
Cees
By: MrBlueSky - 16th May 2009 at 14:46
Hi Rich…
Three things come to mind why there aren’t any British new builds like the P-51’s, Me262’s and FW190’s… Too much red tape, too much money, and the last being brought about by either one of the first two, or both – People can’t be a##ed… 😉
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May 16, 2009 at 1:23 pm