The MB-5 replica has somewhat been done to death here. Yes the builder is doing so without access to original drawings and yes it shows!! That doesnt take away anything from the superb effort he has put in, its just a shame he didnt spend a bit more time on research. She will look superb when she flies though.
If I am I will attempt to introduce another term
REPRODUCTION – this could be used for the Sopwith Camel being built for the Shuttleworth Collection i.e being built to original plans using original construction techniques and powered by there original engines, so they are original aircraft in all but data plate and age of material used.
REPLICA can cover the Flug Werke 190’s and ME262’s etc i.e. very similar but with detail differences
Other aircraft like the Scale Spitfires with Allison engines and Issacs Spits and Furies etc have no place on an historic forum, however they are in many cases superbly built and should not be dismissed. The General Aviation forum in IMHO the correct place for them.
As for how much of the original aircraft is left, well that doesnt much matter really as long as you can prove the history of what you have. Take a look at many of the Hurricanes that passed through repair depots during the war, they used whatever bits of aircraft they had (and new build) to make a flyer. Does that mean that what they produced and sent back into service isnt a reall Hurricane? No it doesnt.
Oh and the day that I am no longer excited about seeing another Spitfire take to the skies after restoration is they day you can put me in a box six feet under (dead or not!) That doesnt mean to say I dont want to see other aircraft restored to flight.
At the end of the day they are all aircraft and when I hear the sound of one flying over my house I will still look to the skies (or I will be heading for that box again)
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