Ah, I’m glad to see that having offered you the apple from the tree, you could not resist being tempted by it! Maybe I’ll live to see a replica Miles Satyr. Maybe you can construct a replica of the Hon. Mrs Victor Bruce to go with it. Now that would frighten grown men!

In all honesty I looked at the Satyr years ago and thought: “no, it’s not important or indeed impressive enough…”. The only Miles design I really looked at was the original M2.

But when you consider that the Satyr was the first of thousands of Miles aircraft…

Firstly, anyone reading this, please don’t hold your breathe. We are talking years and years. My only real concern is that someone might build it before me. Also, this isn’t going to be an easy project – though probably more doable that saving RAF Driffield (not a lost cause as things stand).

Regarding the Satyr, I know there is an engine available. I haven’t contacted the owners, but that will happen within a week or so. I’m trying to sort myself out, before I can even start on this project proper. I’m having to add at least a year or two, to sort out my personal circumstances, before I can start gluing bits of wood together.

I know that detailed plans don’t exist. The forward fuselage is covered with plywood, so it is unclear what is beneath. More later…

Pobjoy – rare as hen’s teeth and equally difficult to keep running!

A rather more robust alternative is the Rotec R-2800, being built in Australia.
http://www.rotecradialengines.com/

My understanding is that the R2800 is twice as heavy, twice the size and twice the power. Yet, it is too small for other projects I have considered.

Ok Phillip,

Now you have a lot of options, have you got an idea already?

Cheers

Cees

Firstly, many thanks for all your suggestions. I’ve drawn up a list of three aircraft, which no doubt will change in the coming months.

Miles M1 Satyr

Although Frederick George Miles and his brother built a biplane before the Satyr it didn’t (or wouldn’t) fly. Therefore the Miles Satyr was the first aircraft wholly designed by F G Miles that flew – the first of many designs. Is there another replica M1 either being constructed or in the planning stage?

The size of the aircraft is appealing, though being a single seater, joyrides are out of the question. The main problem is the lack of an original engine. The Pobjoy R (75hp) was fitted to a limited number of aircraft, and finding an original will prove difficult and costly. Any suggestions for an alternative? Are the plans available? Don’t get me wrong, the aircraft appears to be a good subject for a replica-build, it simply doesn’t, you know…

Avro 504N

The Avro 405N is an interesting candidate. Built in large numbers, the aircraft superseded the model “K” in the 1920s. The availability of a Lynx engine is problematic, while there are several replicas being built, either in the UK or USA. I understand that one of these aircraft will be a model “N”. This aircraft appeals to me greatly and I do think a replica would fill a gap here in the UK. But, can anyone suggest an alternative to the Rotec R2800 (excluding the nine cylinder R3600)?

Westland-Hill Pterodactyl MkIV

Out of all the designs that I’ve looked at, the most enigmatic is the Westland-Hill Pterodactyl MkIV. Although slightly large and extremely complex, this aircraft is phenomenally a head-turner. The aircraft (44ft wingspan) was powered by a DH Gipsy III engine, which shouldn’t be a problem to acquire or substitute, but what about the plans?

“The main feature, however, was a gear by which it was possible to sweep the wings backward and forward through an angular range of 4.75°. This operation, which enabled the machine to be trimmed when the centre of gravity was varied by alternative loadings, could be effected by the pilot while in flight.

“The gear itself was in the nature of a large turnbuckle, connecting the front spars of the wings at their root, the rear spar roots being hinged by a ball joint and the bottom of the main Vee lift struts being similarly pivoted.” This feature would be difficult to replicate.

The only redeeming features that make this aircraft a good candidate for a replica-build is that it is a monoplane, with a short fuselage and no tailplane. On the other hand, the striking wing would be a nightmare to replicate, as no two ribs are the same. That said, I can see no other aircraft that would receive as much attention from either the public or fellow anoraks as this prehistoric beast.

Thing is, what will take me years to accomplish, AJD Engineering can achieve in twelve months, and for the same price. That leads me to the cost.

Building any aeroplane is going to be expensive. Even if you spread the cost over several years, it isn’t going to be cheap. Unless I can pull myself out of debt and make some serious money, this and any other [mad-capped] project will remain just a pipe-dream, albeit one worth pursuing – even if any research undertaken can help someone else make things happen.

That said, I really don’t like putting my neck on the line, even though it has become an occupational hazard or recurring trait. Making pretentious statements, like the one that started this thread only highlights ones own inadequacies and misgivings, which others usually point out. On the other hand, someone once said that a journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step. One such journey involved a man from York, who 30 odd years ago started his dream with a £10 (?) purchase. One of my heroes is Tony Agar. I forget when, but he purchased the cockpit section of a DH Mosquito at an auction in Blackpool. Whereas most would be content with just owning the cockpit, Mr Agar didn’t stop there. He added a rear fuselage, wings and engines, resulting in the restoration and resurrection of a classic.

With hard work and some good fortune, we can all make a difference or at least gain enjoyment from doing something different (but not train-spotting or pressing wild-flowers!). That said, I have a lot on my plate, most of which I won’t dwell on here. Thing is, last January I started http://www.avprints.co.uk, which marketed a series of P51D prints. Six months down the line and I’ve only sold four sets – not enough to live on – when my subsidised wages end in July. The problem wasn’t the prints, but rather my inability of market my wares. Accordingly, my confidence has taken a real battering and I need a victory to make life bearable. So I fight on, because I love aeroplanes and I believe…

The research continues…

Phil Rhodes

Just a thought.

Have you considered lowering your sights slightly and just making a small(ish) part, like the rudder, of what ever aircraft takes your fancy? That way you can test out your wood, metal, fabric, doping and painting skills on an item that is manageable in terms of budget and time. If by making this component you then decide that the rest of the aircraft is out of your budget or skill level you’ll still have a nice object to hang on your wall.

As I say…just a thought…maybe not a good one.

Anne

Go on…make a Grebe. No more complex and a lot smaller than an Avro 504N.

Excellent idea Anne. As for the Grebe, do you have a spare engine going spare? 😀

So, was the Shuttleworth Collection’s H5199 an original “K” converted to an “N”, then converted back to a “K”? Confused…?

Phil Rhodes

P.S. Does anyone know where one can get hold of a Armstrong-Siddeley Lynx engine…?