These machines have 40 prop blades apiece. Count em.. 😮

Cees,

Yes, yes, Airframe Assemblies and yes.

With a set of wings & u/c – very achievable technically, assuming Griffon 58 and contra-prop from a Shackleton..

Mark

My enthusiasm was temprered by thoughts of the CAA’s reaction to such a project in the UK. Good project for a US based person though (so long as they have the work done here of course).

I would like to see a Spiteful/Seafang fly. Its theoretically possible given the wings as a starting point but would be tricky to do here in the UK if it was to flying status (CAA issues) as it would be a conversion to a different type and would not fall in to the Permit catergory unless you obtain a Spiteful i/d and call it a restoration. Without looking at photos I recall we are talking about a Mk22/24 type Spitfire fuselage but there are major changes in asmuch as the wings are mounted further forward than the Spitfire. If anyone has a photo perhaps they could confirm.

As we’re in to armchair purchases. I recall a pic on the forum a month or so ago, showing the fuselage of a Mk IX spit tucked up the rafters of a hangar in the States.

I suspect not enough litres up front in this one for Steve P (about nine short!) Not sure Mr Middleton is ready to part with it either but you never know.

I was so convinced about the Avenger that I bought one….
Only uses 80 gph in the cruise…plus 2gph of W120…

That’s around £400 per hour just on fuel (UK prices) 😮 Then there is oil, insurance etc etc.

Well guys I’m going to chuck my 2 pence worth in, like Daz says I’m doing a Spitfire Tr.9 from scratch. Yes we’ve got some original instruments, and hopefully an original engine, will I be claiming she is original. NO!!!
I will admit that my machine was built by my own hands (and father-in-laws), not anyone at Supermarine! Does this devalue my machine? No! Maybe in the eyes of a few pedantic twits, but to most people she is a Spit, and if I can give them a ride that blows their mind (and hopefully not the barf-bag) then great.

Are we talking about de-valuing in terms of money or historical interest? If it is money then the answer has to be ‘yes’. If an individual were to build an airworthy Spitfire from scratch (but using some original parts and an original engine) he will have parted company with maybe £750,000 or possibly more by the time it flies. If he announces that the finished article is a modern day replica what would it be worth? Half of the construction cost? If the individual is wealthy he may not care very much but most people could not put so much money in to a project that could not be recoverable later. This is one of the reasons why most Spitfire restorations have an original identity. The other concerns UK CAA legislation. I think you would have a lot of difficulty in getting the CAA in the UK to grant a Certificate of Airworthiness to such a ‘new’ aircraft. If the machine is a restored ‘ex-military’ aircraft then the ‘Permit to Fly’ route is open. The legislation may be different in your country but this is how things are here.

Sorry to be a ‘pedantic twit’.

the correct serial for this Spitfire is PL965 🙂