uhm, I kinda thought so, but I’m not sure how much less drag it would be…

Alex

it’s just that it’s not that “mathematic”.. Some people believe that if u have an airframe then u have the original plane, some other say u need even the ID placards etc..
I’d say u rebuilt a plane according to original plans and using even original parts, a definition like “replica” or “reproduction” can be too restrictive sometimes..
Anyway it would be a really valuable project, as the SE5a in France is, with both technical and historical value.

Alex

I dont really care about the definition, what is for sure is a great project and has an immense value. It’s like the construction line of the SE5a produced a last plane, simply awesome! While a wooden spit or scaled replica are nothing more than a kitsch thing to me.. dazdaman let’s cut it short, from now on I’ll try to ignore yr “provocating posts” 😉 , since seems like u dont want to understand my point of view. We could go on for decades discussing about every single restoration, and what would this all lead to? I recently was named historical and technical commissary for the biggest italian association who preserves historical vehicles and wants to enlarge to the aeronautical field, so I passed some time with other experts and owners to lay down the acceptance rules and believe me, they are really, really, really strict.
I really dont care about forcing u to understand it, I’ll simply get back in my hangar and work in what I believe, as I’m sure u r doing right now.

cheers

Alex

I’m not taking it too personally – I know dozens of guys who want to build Spitfires, Me109s, Hurricanes etc, and I’m speaking for a minority, it seems.

I’m sure, if even half of us could do it, we’d be out there scouring for wrecks and relics instead of building our “pointless” replicas, but the fact is we’re doing what WE want to do. I know some of these guys are doing it for a particular reason (heritage, memorial etc), but the fact is this is what we want to do.

Here’s another view of it. Here’s me, right, interested in a replica Spitfire which I’ve only ever seen one of, and I know for a fact that only one exists in complete, flying, form. Yet, I’m going to build another, and so help to keep interest in the type going. What’s your view there??

Or, what about Clive Du Cros’ full-scale replica of K5054? A replica, certainly, and an interesting one. Would you say his efforts were “pointless”? Not to mention the fact that he also restored to fly a Miles Messenger (G-AKBO)…

U think I wouldnt like a Spit or a 109 too?????
Sometimes in a man’s life it’s time to accept the truth,and if I can’t get a 109 (for now) somebody else is doing it, but nonetheless I’m gonna do my small part too to keep historical planes alive! Nobody is telling me to do it, it’s my choice, and the same is for u. People might have different opinions, never heard of this?
The Spit Mk.I replica it’s a nice try, despite the engine (and if it was really constructed following original drawings) it was a great project. It was nearly pranged though, and it was decided to ground it. Fair enuff, it’s their plane, but I dont agree with the decision (same goes for the IWM Bf109..).
And the age question is pure nonsense, a replica will be a replica even in 2045. It’s just going to be a 40 years old replica…

Alex

Alex, in that case would you also discount the Hughes H-1 racer?? The original is still around (http://www.airminded.net/h1/h1.html) and yet the replica (RIP) was built of it.

So why not just pull the original out and restore it, if that’s your outlook??

What about the “replica” Martin-Baker MB5?? http://www.aafo.com/racing/news/00/MB5_1.htm

To me, looks not much like the original (it looks stumpier to me), yet the guy is resurrecting an extinct type, WITHOUT access to original drawings….

is my english so bad? :rolleyes:
if it’s not based upon original plans it’s just a replica, full scaled or not..
Dont get yr point about the Huges racer though..

Alex

First of all I think it wasnt me saying let’s chop n’ burn ’em all, so could u please check better as I dont like being accused of something without an evidence.
Now to the replica issue: I am working on a historical aircraft that is no mustang or spitfire, but nonetheless the history behind it it’s so important to me that it fullfills my ambitions. I think any real “warbird lover” that has some economical possibility to have a plane should find a real warbird or a vintage plane that doesn’t exist anymore and restore/rebuild it. If it’s a genuine plane no matter how many spares u change, it’s still a genuine plane(nobody will keep a rotten rudder on the plane just because it’s historical, it would be donated to a museum instead..), but if it’s a replica it MUST be built following the original plans and materials and if possible with the original engine.
The guy working on a Gemini (dont remember yr name mate, sorry!) has all my respect, but to me (and once again, this is my personal opinion, may God forgive me for this..) a spitfire replica is the sad try of a wannabe to fullfill something he will never achieve..
Restorating an existing airplane is not a matter of a new paint coat, it is achieving endless amounts of manuals, specific tools, spare parts, and then hanging around looking for technicians, metal workers, engineers who must be brave enuff to sign yr paperwork once the plane is ready to fly.. I’d dare to say it’s harder than building something from scratch, but who am I to say it? Pain is an universal feeling, so I’m sure u sweated a lot for a replica, but the same I did and in the end I think I achieved something that has a higher value, and I’m not talking about the mere economical value.. A spit replica might have a great value to u and the folks who helped u, but a real plane or a faithfull replica of a plane that doesnt exist anymore is not just yours, it’s a gift of love to all the ppl who flew and worked with it, period.
U wanna build a Gee Bee! Go for it! U wanna make a replica of a vintage civilian plane? Great! Just please use the original plans. Uh, about the engine, I dont remember who said it’s not a vital part of a restoration.. I’ll avoid any comments on this, and I think that anybody working on a rebuild at the moment will agree with me…
To cut it short: build whatever u like, but pay attention to these definitions
genuine
“original replica” rebuilt with original plans/materials and if possible original engine
“replica” scaled plane or not build with original plans/materials

cheers

Alex

oh no.. not another replica! OH NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! 😀

Cheers

Alex

…now what the hell is that???

Alex