For non-load bearing parts, excellent. Beyond that I can see where questions would arise.

Already being done! As with all aircraft parts, drawing/manufacturing standards have to be adhered to, and part traceability and manufacturer approval is required, but no difference there to a ‘standard’ item.

Well this thread well and truly drifted. I was interested when the discussion was running to PBY’s etc still earning their keep, but since the topic was (supposedly) WW2-era, I can’t see any point discussing anything post-1945.

So can we have a go again?

As a kick-starter, does anyone know if P-51s are still being subcontracted for US (Navy?) test pilot training?

No mention of the BE.2c – is it still there? And I fully agree with Moggy C’s comments – some great exhibits were in the IWM (and hopefully still are), and many of these impressive items are not remotely aviation-related.

I’m planning a visit, or possibly two this year to the re-vamped version. Re-visits do however depend on whether the archives are still accessible.

The small lettering is standard stencilling, “This machine must not be flown without passenger or equivalent weight in gunners cockpit”. Similar wording on RE.8s too.

but it is not a real Spitfire…..

Well duh. Most of them aren’t.

I suspect it’s something that requires a bit more research than just the odd lazy bit of Googling. Nationality and manufacturer would obviously help, then a case of trawling through whatever archives remain regarding ‘paper’ projects for each manufacturer.

It’s equally possible that it’s just a concept with no model number, but there are enough special features on the model to make it look a bit more than just an item of whimsy.

Sadly I don’t have a clue where you’d start to look. But I’m pretty sure your answer doesn’t lie with Google.