12 years, wow, and I still like this stuff…..
(So does Dan)

The Hughes racer was built by Jim Wright of Oregon. Steve Wolf of Samson/ gee bee fame built the wing, Ron Covell, master metal worker built the tail and formed fuselage skins, Jim Younkin (another racer replica guy) built the cowl, and Jim Wrights team assembled it all.
Sadly Jim was killed in the replica returning from its first and only Oshkosh with a prop failure in Yellowstone park a number of years ago.
Jim and the racer are no more.

well either I am WELL out of touch on the current value of a P51 restoration project, or 700K for a semi new build section of fuselage, some pattern only tail surfaces, a set of wheels, and a few tupperware boxes of bits is a fishing exercise.
Then again, I guess Platinum Fighters has quite a track record of sales….

Beautiful photos! the aircraft looks fantastic.
I am also really looking forward to some in flight photos.

Surprised to hear that so little was used from the parts received,

Great to see the aircraft complete!

Has anyone chased the blogger about the Heston Racer reference?

That would be me

The reason I left the note about the Napier Heston Racer as a future post was that while I am in contact with the prospective builder, it is still at the planning and drawing phase.
The builder has currently collected all of the required wood, and has the vast majority of the drawings now completed, but has yet to start cutting wood.
They have collected a great deal of the required parts, and most importantly also have on hand a RR Griffon engine, in place of the next to impossible to source Napier Sabre Engine.
I would think that based on the progress to date and determination of the builder, we will soon see a “Griffon” Heston Racer coming together.

RE the DH71 Replica mentioned above, the USA replica was built and flown by Mike Maniatis in Upstate New York. Mike still owns the aircraft, but chooses not to currently fly it as it is stored on a short and rather unsuitable field.
Mike is very complimentary of the flight characteristics of the aircraft, and from the photos I have seen the workmanship is of a very high quality.
Regards the comments of the replica not “built as per the original” I do not know enough details of the original DH racer to confirm how accurate it might be, but I know that Mike is very knowledgeable of DH history in general, and certainly carried out thorough research prior to building the aircraft.
I will say that it is very hard to determine just what “original” was, as details of the Golden Age racers are hard to pin down.

Regardless, my hat is off to any builder who has the skill and determination to complete and fly any Golden Age racer replica.

Whoops!
should have checked his FB first! (or for that matter simply read the post above 🙂

Cat’s out of the bag! We had some great guessers and a few detectives out there!

Howard Hughes’ Sikorsky S-43!

Oh well, I would have rather seen it be the Mystery ship! still it will no doubt happen, just a matter of time,
as well stand by for a QED…..

a bargain?
well I guess to some,
But in reality what use is it?
I don`t think it will ever be used as an actual powerplant, and if all one wants to do is run a jet engine in the back yard there are plenty available at a fraction of the cost that will just as easily scare the hell out of the operator.
Note the RB 211 guys,

I can think of plenty of other uses for 165K but then again, the old adage
one mans junk, another mans treasure,
or was it a fool and his money……

Bob T,
since you asked,

what does it matter how many people comment?
is not the intent of your thread to generate potential parts and services sources?
and as a rule they would probably contact you via PM anyway.
So beyond that what sort of response would you expect?

I am not really sure what you are looking for, you state clearly that you did not actually make the parts shown, they are a combination of outsourced and original, so that pretty much covers that,
and as to “sending photos to flypast” I agree, they probably would not be interested at this point, as it would not really make for much of an article would it. Once it is assembled into larger components which would start to resemble a Sopwith Snipe then it may be time to send some photos.

Can I suggest, why not take a page from Nick C`s book and post this where it will be noticed by those specifically interested in WW1 replica`s,
http://www.theaerodrome.com, in the replica section. At least there it is seen by WW1 replica enthusiasts. Nick`s incredible Snipe replica is extremely well received there, but I do not recall him ever posting a photo on the Flypast forum. Maybe he is on to something there?
You correctly mention that the Spitfire threads here are all the rage, so why try and buck the trend 🙂

as well, I am not sure that casting aspersions towards Mr Black, and his ability to deliver is going to generate much positive response, I think his track record speaks for itself, his completion rate is quite amazing, and his attention to detail is quite obvious.

Well, you did ask for a response…..