User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:06:12 AM EDT
One of my best friends decided he wanted a Spitfire - so he built one!!
This is an actual 100% full scale Spitfire built from plans. The internal fuselage is constructed of a 2.5" chrome moly tube "birdcage". The exterior fuselage is bulkhead formers bolted to the birdcage and then covered with aluminum. The wing is one piece and constructed entirely out of wood - Spruce. The wooden main spar is massive, almost 18" square at the center section and weighs about 600lbs just by itself. The vertical/horizontal stabilizers as well as the elevators and rubber are also constructed of wood. The canopy is an actual salvaged Spitfire canopy. The lower forward engine cowl is constructed of carbon fiber while the top engine cowl is aluminum. The engine is an aircraft 1400HP Allison V12 (originally from a P39). The propeller is an overhauled DC3 prop. Took him and a friend many years to build but it is a work of art so I thought I'd share a few pics. These were taken by a friend flying in a B24:         OK, here are a few construction pics - they aren't the best but it's the best I can do from work right now:     
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:08:00 AM EDT
[#1]
your friend has too much bloody money, but that's cool as hell
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:08:42 AM EDT
[#2]
WOW fucking WOW!!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:09:23 AM EDT
[#3]
Well - he is a retired airline pilot... 
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:10:33 AM EDT
[#4]
+ Fucking 1!! |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:11:50 AM EDT
[#5]
Its all about priorities. I know a guy that owns a hand fitted suit of reproduction 16th century armor. It cost him over $150,000. He also has a modest home, doesn't eat out very often, has an older car and doesn't travel outside of work, and has no other hobbies. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:12:09 AM EDT
[#6]
Post the plans... NOW! Also, how do you like your RV? Matt |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:12:18 AM EDT
[#7]
My vote for the most impressive post of the week.
Where's the Spit' based? |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:12:51 AM EDT
[#8]
How long did it take and how many bucks?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:13:57 AM EDT
[#9]
Spitfire is based here at Prescott, AZ. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:13:58 AM EDT
[#10]
That is badass.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:14:03 AM EDT
[#11]
Awesome!
Tell him to watch out for those Riddle kids. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:14:17 AM EDT
[#12]
Very cool.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:15:17 AM EDT
[#13]
That's an incredible airplane, very cool and thanks for the post!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:15:39 AM EDT
[#14]
You wouldn't want to see the plans! They are from Jurka and are all in French. Love the RV. So much so that I'm almost done building another, an RV-4 this time... |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:15:52 AM EDT
[#15]
Fucking badass! That's so fucking cool!  |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:16:03 AM EDT
[#16]
I want one! And a Corsair!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:16:19 AM EDT
[#17]
I couldn't even imagine having the skills to do something like that. Very cool indeed.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:16:19 AM EDT
[#18]
I don't think I could be any more jealous.
Excellent, most excellent!!!! |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:16:41 AM EDT
[#19]
That is awesome. I want one!!!
I'm sure he appreciated your friend muzzle sweeping him and his new toy! 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:16:44 AM EDT
[#20]
Wow...How much of it did he do, and how much was built for him? If I wanted one, could he do this for me?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:17:47 AM EDT
[#21]
That is a true work of art! Thanks for showing us the pictures.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:18:16 AM EDT
[#22]
I wish I had the time, patience, and money to do that. Personally I would like either a P-47 or a Me-262.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:19:54 AM EDT
[#23]
"Hey, I don't have one of those. I want one. I'll just go ahead and build it myself!"
That is something that only the most determined and most skillful people can utter to themselves with any seriousness. That is true excellence. That thing is gorgeous. Can he build me a MiG-3?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:20:30 AM EDT
[#24]
I couldn't have said it better! 
There are many things, and this is one of them, that I categorize under "If you have to ask, you can't afford."
|
||
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:22:41 AM EDT
[#25]
Totally sweet.
So, how much does he have sunk into the 6 transferable .50 cal belt feds in the wings? |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:23:52 AM EDT
[#26]
No guns?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:24:40 AM EDT
[#27]
That is freakin' BEAUTIFUL!
Absolutely amazing. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:26:39 AM EDT
[#28]
That is awesome.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:27:20 AM EDT
[#29]
I’m trying to stay calm so I don’t go shouting expletives in the office…
But that is just incredibly, over the top, 100% grade A, pure awesomeness. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:30:11 AM EDT
[#30]
Nice job your friend did, too bad its a one seater, he could make a killing taking people on short flights for $$$
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:31:25 AM EDT
[#31]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:33:22 AM EDT
[#32]
I am in awe of his skill. That is amazing.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:33:38 AM EDT
[#33]
That just F-ing rocks!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:33:47 AM EDT
[#34]
Very cool. Any pictures of it while it was under construction?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:34:27 AM EDT
[#35]
I wonder if there is any law preventing one from arming aircraft. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:34:28 AM EDT
[#36]
This is so tagged!
Vulcan94 |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:35:09 AM EDT
[#37]
I think I have some at home, I'll check when I get off work... |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:35:24 AM EDT
[#38]
There was a guy selling a repo Focke Wulf 190 on E BAy Motors a few months ago. It was about60% finished.
There is a firm in Germany building repo WW2 a/c kits. FW190's were first. Supposedly P39's were the next kits then Yak3's |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:37:32 AM EDT
[#39]
totally awesome.
I'd like a FockeWulf 190. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:39:55 AM EDT
[#40]
Very cool, yep some pics of it being built would be awesome.
Nice work. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:41:00 AM EDT
[#41]
COOL
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:43:02 AM EDT
[#42]
Very cool!
i don't know what I am more jealous of, the plane or his fabrication skills. I don't think I would trust anything I built to fly. With me in it
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:43:41 AM EDT
[#43]
Too Cool...!!!!
I've always wanted a Spitfire 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:43:54 AM EDT
[#44]
my father in law rebuilds older planes and lives in a fly-in community.
one of his neighbors has a restored Mustangs. that shit will wake you up QUICK as they taxi through the neighborhood in the morning. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:46:45 AM EDT
[#45]
Wow. Now that is a toy.
Very nice pics, also. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:47:40 AM EDT
[#46]
Kick Ass!!!!!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:48:13 AM EDT
[#47]
That is so sweet!!!!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:49:26 AM EDT
[#48]
Your friend is a god to me.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:51:26 AM EDT
[#49]
there is a *pair* of corsairs that have been sitting on the bottom of my lake since a training accident during WWII. 300+ ft down, cold, freshwater... |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/16/2007 11:51:31 AM EDT
[#50]
sickened as I realize that I will likely never have a "toy" or even a hobby quite at that magnitude of awesomeness.
and tag for more pics (please) eta: I wonder how nervous he was during the first flight! etaa: I wonder if it would take off if on an enormous conveyor belt running backwards |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
