# P-51 Mustang Replica Tehnical Question

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#### mullacharjak

##### Well-Known Member
A fuselage made from welded steel tube with wood formers to replicate a P51 should be easier.The Hurricane fighter was built in this manner.

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#### BoKu

##### Pundit
HBA Supporter
I am planning to build a P-51 Mustang 1:1 Replica. I will make it flyable...
One way of assessing the scale of such a project is with simple economics. According to the P-51 Wikipedia page, the per-unit price on the P-51 was about $51,000 in 1945. Using the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator, that comes out to about$733,000 in today's dollars. About as much as a well-equipped Cirrus SR22.

However, that was when the aircraft was in active series production resulting in a total build of 15,000 units.

If you had to make just one, the cost of making the parts onesey-twosey while reverse-engineering the assembly process and making all the jigs and fixtures would probably put the price between 5x and 10x what it is for series production units. So I'd figure on at least $733 x 5x =$2.7 million.

That said, if someone came at me with a blank check asking for a full-scale P-51 replica, I'd probably make it out of carbon fiber using CNC-cut single-use molds. I would just bid on the basic airframe and control systems, and let someone else do the engine, cooling, electric, hydraulic, undercarriage, and all that stuff. But even just the bare airframe would probably be the better part of a half a million dollars, and the total fly-away price tag wouldn't be much below the $2.7 million arrived at above. #### radfordc ##### Well-Known Member I am planning to build a P-51 Mustang 1:1 Replica. I will make it flyable. I have all the parts/pieces from the structure ready to cut and assemble. From what material and what thickness should I use for this structure to be strong (to support human weight) and also light in the same time ? Steel, aluminium ? And what thickness ? 1, 2 or 3 mm etc. ??? Thanks again. Nice troll...I think you have several on the line. Play them slowly so they don't break off. #### BJC ##### Well-Known Member HBA Supporter There was a “scratch built” P-51 that was destroyed on a landing collision with another P-51 at Oshkosh. Someone here who follows warbirds can chime in, and, hopefully, tell us the cost. BJC #### pictsidhe ##### Well-Known Member One way of assessing the scale of such a project is with simple economics. According to the P-51 Wikipedia page, the per-unit price on the P-51 was about$51,000 in 1945. Using the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator, that comes out to about $733,000 in today's dollars. About as much as a well-equipped Cirrus SR22. However, that was when the aircraft was in active series production resulting in a total build of 15,000 units. If you had to make just one, the cost of making the parts onesey-twosey while reverse-engineering the assembly process and making all the jigs and fixtures would probably put the price between 5x and 10x what it is for series production units. So I'd figure on at least$733 x 5x = $2.7 million. That said, if someone came at me with a blank check asking for a full-scale P-51 replica, I'd probably make it out of carbon fiber using CNC-cut single-use molds. I would just bid on the basic airframe and control systems, and let someone else do the engine, cooling, electric, hydraulic, undercarriage, and all that stuff. But even just the bare airframe would probably be the better part of a half a million dollars, and the total fly-away price tag wouldn't be much below the$2.7 million arrived at above.
There are a lot of variables in play. How it was built is a really big one. As examples, the Spitfire and Hurricane. The Spitfire was a lot harder to build, needed higher skilled workers and more hours. Not surprisingly, it was not cheap. The Hurricane was designed for easy mass production. It didn't need as much skill or nearly as many hours. However, it made good use of dedicated machinery to churn parts out at high speed. It was cheap and early in the war, was built over twice as fast as Spitfires.
Now, fast forward 75 years. You find one of each in a barn. Ok, calm down, they need a LOT of work. The cheapo Hurricane will cost twice as much to restore as the thoroughbred Spitfire. The Spitfire was built by artisans, not machines. This is much easier to replicate in limited runs.

#### BBerson

##### Light Plane Philosopher
HBA Supporter
From what material and what thickness should I use for this structure to be strong (to support human weight) and also light in the same time ?
A 1:1 scale Replica is not necessarily the same as "exact replica". Which are you asking about? What empty weight is proposed?
A 37' span experimental "light replica" of say 1500 pounds empty (7600 original) should not be difficult for an experienced builder.

#### rv7charlie

##### Well-Known Member
BoKu probably knows this; a couple of decades ago, someone did pull molds off an actual P51 & made at least one in composite. I never heard whether it went further than the prototype.

Woops...
HOME | Cameronaircraft

I don't remember if that's the same one...

#### mcrae0104

##### Well-Known Member
HBA Supporter
Log Member
...pull molds off an actual P51 & made at least one in composite.
Who needs a kit when you could just DIY?

#### cvairwerks

##### Well-Known Member
The fuselage longerons are one of the trickiest items for building one from scratch. Last time I saw some for sale was about 20 years ago and they were getting 8 grand for the set of 4 parts. Screw one up and they would only sell you a set.

#### Iwerk

##### Active Member
I've seen one of these in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
If I look back thru my personal photos, I might find a photo of the owner.

#### Aerowerx

##### Well-Known Member
..... So I'd figure on at least $733 x 5x =$2.7 million.....
At that price, just go out and buy an original.

#### J Galt

##### Well-Known Member
BoKu probably knows this; a couple of decades ago, someone did pull molds off an actual P51 & made at least one in composite. I never heard whether it went further than the prototype.

Woops...
HOME | Cameronaircraft

I don't remember if that's the same one...

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#### plncraze

##### Well-Known Member
HBA Supporter
I spoke with someone about five years ago who talked about a group close to where Burt Rutan lived who were going to do a full scale Mustang. I asked if this Murdoch Cameron's and he said no but that Cameron was involved.
I believe the home built Mustang at OSH was made by the owner of a restoration shop. It was built from scratch but by a professional backed by an experienced shop.

#### Pops

##### Well-Known Member
HBA Supporter
Log Member
Used to be a father and son that had a shop that built P-51 wings in southern, WV. Can't remember their names.
My neighbor deals in military aircraft parts and also airplanes in the 1920's and 1930's, ( need any Jenny, DC-3 parts, 1930 Bird project). We meet a man at Sun-and-Fun one year and he swapped parts with a man that was piecing together a P-51. Said he first bought a left aileron and then used it as a pattern and built the right aileron, etc. Also don't remember his name. My neighbor had 4 engines and I think he traded some extra engine accessorys for other extra airframe parts.

Little trivia.
One time we stopped by the 8th Airforce Museum in Savannah, GA and we had work cloths on and I was on the floor on my back under a P-51 engine on display that was under a P-51 airplane. Had a flashlight calling out part numbers off of the accessories and people stopped and ask us about different things about the museum thinking we worked there. Told them we were first time visitors .

#### David Moxley

##### Well-Known Member
Log Member
BoKu probably knows this; a couple of decades ago, someone did pull molds off an actual P51 & made at least one in composite. I never heard whether it went further than the prototype.

Woops...
HOME | Cameronaircraft

I don't remember if that's the same one...
Murdo is a good friend,I see him quit a lot, most every time I’m down at my hanger , 2or 3 times a week.He has the molds for the full scale Mustang , the wing mold is a H model Mustang. He has his hanger up for sale, I really don’t think he is going anywhere? If his hanger dose sale he has another shop where he is going to continue working of the Mustang & several other projects.