Hello Guys:
Interesting site and thread posts. I am brand new to this forum and have a 70% scale replica Mk.1 Spitfire that I have been modifying/restoring to airworthiness over the past several years. It is now in flying condition however my family situation has changed such that I am reluctantly considering selling it.
TW’s “camouflaged mistress” is a sweetheart of an airplane that was originally built over a 24 year period by an amazing craftsman from Vancouver, BC that has since passed on. For accuracy of scale, few replicas can compare with this aircraft (as noted by rv6ejguy, one of the regular contributors on this forum who has also posted a descriptive YouTube video - please see his Video #115). Although a sweet flyer, this true-to-scale airframe would also be a highly desirable museum specimen as a hanging exhibit due to its relatively light weight (1300 lbs).
The airframe is primarily of wood construction with a semi-monocoque wood-former/fibreglass fuselage and lightly glassed wood frame/plywood skinned wings with formed metal cowlings. It is powered by a performance built high-compression 200 hp all-aluminum Buick V8 (219 cu.in.) with a custom CNC-machined 1.86:1 heavy-duty gearbox and elastomeric drive coupling. Ignition is virtually bulletproof GM HEI with a fully redundant battery selection for additional safety. Effective cooling is provided by a custom 4-row radiator housed in a true-to-scale starboard underwing fairing c/w vernier controlled outlet shutter. The oil cooler is likewise housed in a scale fairing in its correct position under the port wing.
The authentic retractable undercarriage is electro-hydraulic and features trunnions, pintles, internal spline oleos and rotating pin-locks almost identical to those found on original Battle of Britain variants. Matco internal caliper disc brakes are hidden within authentic hand-cast aluminum split-rim wheels. Electric split-type wing flaps extend to 70 degrees as the originals did and serve as effective speed brakes, easily allowing landing speeds under 60 mph. The aircraft was configured with a steerable tailwheel by the original builder however this could easily be changed to full castoring or lockable/castoring if desired.
The instrument panel layout and instruments are a decent representation of the steam gauge originals found in early mark Spitfires. Avionics include a Becker comm and transponder with encoder.
Fitted with its purpose-built, ground adjustable 3-blade laminated birch/composite propeller, top speed is @ 180 mph. With an electric MT, 200 mph would be easily achievable. Rate of climb with the current GA (fixed pitch) prop is @ 1200 fpm.
This replica has over 17,000 manhours invested in its scratch-built construction and subsequent modification/restoration. It only has @ 65 hrs TT but has been a sought-after and consistent head-turner at the Springbank Airshow. Owner is open to serious inquiries from individuals or organizations on this forum and can be pm’d at [email protected].
Best regards, TW
Interesting site and thread posts. I am brand new to this forum and have a 70% scale replica Mk.1 Spitfire that I have been modifying/restoring to airworthiness over the past several years. It is now in flying condition however my family situation has changed such that I am reluctantly considering selling it.
TW’s “camouflaged mistress” is a sweetheart of an airplane that was originally built over a 24 year period by an amazing craftsman from Vancouver, BC that has since passed on. For accuracy of scale, few replicas can compare with this aircraft (as noted by rv6ejguy, one of the regular contributors on this forum who has also posted a descriptive YouTube video - please see his Video #115). Although a sweet flyer, this true-to-scale airframe would also be a highly desirable museum specimen as a hanging exhibit due to its relatively light weight (1300 lbs).
The airframe is primarily of wood construction with a semi-monocoque wood-former/fibreglass fuselage and lightly glassed wood frame/plywood skinned wings with formed metal cowlings. It is powered by a performance built high-compression 200 hp all-aluminum Buick V8 (219 cu.in.) with a custom CNC-machined 1.86:1 heavy-duty gearbox and elastomeric drive coupling. Ignition is virtually bulletproof GM HEI with a fully redundant battery selection for additional safety. Effective cooling is provided by a custom 4-row radiator housed in a true-to-scale starboard underwing fairing c/w vernier controlled outlet shutter. The oil cooler is likewise housed in a scale fairing in its correct position under the port wing.
The authentic retractable undercarriage is electro-hydraulic and features trunnions, pintles, internal spline oleos and rotating pin-locks almost identical to those found on original Battle of Britain variants. Matco internal caliper disc brakes are hidden within authentic hand-cast aluminum split-rim wheels. Electric split-type wing flaps extend to 70 degrees as the originals did and serve as effective speed brakes, easily allowing landing speeds under 60 mph. The aircraft was configured with a steerable tailwheel by the original builder however this could easily be changed to full castoring or lockable/castoring if desired.
The instrument panel layout and instruments are a decent representation of the steam gauge originals found in early mark Spitfires. Avionics include a Becker comm and transponder with encoder.
Fitted with its purpose-built, ground adjustable 3-blade laminated birch/composite propeller, top speed is @ 180 mph. With an electric MT, 200 mph would be easily achievable. Rate of climb with the current GA (fixed pitch) prop is @ 1200 fpm.
This replica has over 17,000 manhours invested in its scratch-built construction and subsequent modification/restoration. It only has @ 65 hrs TT but has been a sought-after and consistent head-turner at the Springbank Airshow. Owner is open to serious inquiries from individuals or organizations on this forum and can be pm’d at [email protected].
Best regards, TW
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