Martin Baker MB-5 Rep for sale….

And wasn’t there a video of the engine running?

Using a P-51D wing and spending a lot of money on it seems an odd way to go about things if you don’t wish it to fly!

Whatever the reason for the shortened fuselage, I think we can conclude it was never seriously intended to be a flyer.

I seem to recall the owner expressing that he wished it to be shorter due more to the look of the machine. It did end up looking a little ‘Disney’!

That’s what I thought.

The shorter the fuselage, the more sensitive the aircraft will be in pitch. For example Zenair CH601 Zodiacs have short rear fuselages, and they are very sensitive…

That makes more sense. Still baffled by what happened back there.. what did I miss?

He built it shorter because the original was too sensitive in pitch

My understanding is that he made the fuselage shorter so that it would fit in his hangar.

or anyone?

Sorry for being dim. But don’t mock, you tell me, Sabrejet.

Thanks Oxcart. That’s very interesting, I don’t understand enough about aerodynamics to understand the difference it makes – a shorter moment arm means less inertia to overcome in changing pitch – but I guess there is a leverage principle at work with regard to the action of the elevators? Was this oversensitivity in pitch a feature of the original?

errr… Shall I tell him or you?

Thanks Oxcart. That’s very interesting, I don’t understand enough about aerodynamics to understand the difference it makes – a shorter moment arm means less inertia to overcome in changing pitch – but I guess there is a leverage principle at work with regard to the action of the elevators? Was this oversensitivity in pitch a feature of the original?

He built it shorter because the original was too sensitive in pitch

It hasn’t, and as it has sat for a decade in that state now I think it is unlikely that it will fly, at least under present ownership.

I take it that it still hasn’t flown, or did I miss that?

It sat in the hangar most of race week. Still I got to take a few more photos.

Dave

Why was this aircraft so inaccurate -I guess there must have been constraints, I am sure one wouldn’t be that far off by choice if one was spending that much money, without external factors playing a part?

Sad to see, but I have mixed feelings: my hat is off to Mr. Marlin, but his replica was a caricature rather than a homage. I hope someone can finish it off and maybe get a few of the shapes right?

The MB-5 was outside its hangar at Stead airfield Reno today. We saw it as we came out from the races. Its in the pit area, will have a look at it tomorrow when we go around the pits. Have seen it for a few years.

Dave

I find it an fashinating aircraft.