This is an interesting question…….first we need to make some assumptions:-
1. You’ve got a reasonable amount of money
2. You want it to look and feel real…i.e. make it like a real one would have
3. It has to look like it works
4. You will try and source original parts for some assemblies
5. You will do assembly
6. non airworthy metal
7. assumes you have and get wheels, legs etc
So here is the gold plated example:-
a. Frame 5 (outwardly original looking), original carry thrus spars Total cost £1000
b. Frame 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 thru to 19 £1500
c. Frame 8 kit £1500
d. Frame 11 kit £1800
e. Top Longerons £800
f. Bottom longerons £400
g. make your own intercostals £80
h. Small top hats £200
i. Empty static Merlin £5000
j. Stubs £600
k. Instrument panel + pucker instruments etc £2000
l. Static column £2000, other flying trims, controls etc…£2000
m. static u/c selector £1500
n. Throttle box £1000
o. Undercarriage legs and wheels £2000
p. tail feathers a kit of parts you assemble £2000
q. windscreen unit £1200
r. seat £1000
s. cowlings £3000 (cheaper if you can use an English wheel
t. Rivets and fasteners £300
bored now!!! so this comes to £30.8k and still need wings…….
I would suggest a pair of GRP wings with proper control surfaces….so call that £35k…..add your time and Bob’s your Uncle!
Ways to reduced cost and time….use pop rivets!
Replica instruments, replica column, replica U/c selector, replica castings of other cockpit controls…..grp seat, metal seat,
reduce cost further (whilst it still looks like a proper Spit) by replacing frames 6,7,12,13-19 with wood items…..make Frame 5 out of wood….etc…
I suppose what I am saying, is what do you want the final item to be like? Faithful or a large Airfix kit…..to do it properly is a money pit!
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