I've been wanting to build a P-51 Mustang replica for a number of years but I have to admit this Spitfire replica is a beautiful plane. The engine out landing in the cornfield is a little concerning. I recall a Titan T-51 Mustang did a similar thing a few years ago. I think it was a prop reduction unit problem. Gears and belts seem to be a weak point in these builds.
What a beautiful job ! I do CAD work on Spitfires, mainly wing, landing gear, engine cowls, propeller and spinner, along with all skin lofting. Unlike most people I really like the low back fuselage; especially on the Mk. XVI . I really admire your skill and persistence through all the development issues. Well done, and thanks for showing us your fabulous aircraft.
Tell the idiot with the flatulent flat 4, to stay the hell out of microphone range. We want to hear the V8 at full song. And all cockpit video is worthless to anyone who is seeking entertainment because all you can see is gauges that don't show anything that I can read and blue sky out of the wind shield.
Things I learned after watching this video : 1; A very select and few people have the Passion , Skill , and Deep enough pockets to develop TRULY INCREADABLE AIRCRAFT with no practical use other than the pure joy of flying ! 2; If you want one of these INCREADABLE AIRCRAFT you had better have Above average flying skill , Deep pockets ,AND a spare engine ! 3; I applaud these efforts from all this type of person BUT ESPECIALY this project. Such a PERFECT rendition of the MOST beautiful single engine aircraft EVER produced ! Thank you to all involved in the development of this inspirational project. Much success . Ontario Canada .
100% the most beautiful reproduction warbird. Well done and way to fail and keep moving forward. Hope the sky is filled with these beauties, sounds amazing too.
Amazing video of a major accomplishment, your knowledge, skill, tenacity, motivation and determination paid off. Congratulations, this far lesser mortal is in awe of this achievement. :-)) cheers Paul
Great video and even better looking airplane! This is something i dream of doing someday. Maybe when or if i retire. Nonetheless i'd love to see and learn more about this bird's development!
Fantastic effort, congratulations on the incredible amount of work, designing, building , an unfortunate engine failure and a hell of a rebuild of both. Thank you for sharing.
Cockpit too far back, no cowling blisters over the cylinder bank, tail empenage not tall enough and the wings not the right shape or size. Great engineering but I've seen much better replicas. A Spitfire deserves accuracy and attention to detail
Looks like the aircraft flys well, but you should have done far more investigating that engine. I would have gone with a toyota motor myself IF I was going with a V8. Some guys run the L series from Datona but even then, they have problems. Oh well. Good luck. I LOVE the fact that you built EVERY DAMN PART of that plane INCLUDING the props. Very impressive.
Feelin the pain ... 1965 AC Cobra 427 MKIII. Installed Ford's Aluminum Windsor Racing Engine (basic engine). Basic engine (technical term) because I wanted better components that from Ford. AFR 220 Renegade Heads (built to a specification) / Richard Iskenderian designed camshaft / on-and-on). Engine develops 648hp / 574 ft/lbs torque @ flywheel. As With Your Problems: Ignition - The new MSD Distributor installed with the new aluminum block had to be machined by my "gunsmith" who had the only mill that could precisely position the distributor gear for "gear-climb" to prevent damage to the block. Rocker Arms - The "aluminum racing rocker arms" sheared immediately on startup. Engine required hardened steel rockers from Comp Cam (which perform flawlessly). Fuel Delivery - Required Magna Fuel fuel pump (for 1,200hp) in order to circulate fuel through Deraile Triple Pass Fuel Cooler with two 6" cooling fans sufficient to prevent gasoline from vapor locking and limiting use of the 20 gallon racing fuel tank to 10 gallons usable fuel. I've run it down to 1 gallon now. Blah-Blah-Blah ... The point is, these are just a few of the developmental matters. This has been a journey (operationally and financially ... $35,000+ engine). The Difference: So far no cornfields since I stay on the ground.
Beautifull ship! congrats on your persistence in bringing this dream to reality! i would like to mention that cam gear/ distributor drive gear wear as shown at 5:17 is not usual or common at all and in fact quite unusual, unless the camshaft material and distributor drive gear material are not matched. has this been addressed? Also, why not just run one, or better yet two crank triggers for redundancy and do away with the distributor entirely? i have to say, an external, V-belt driven oil pump scares the crap out of me. i have never seen the design type of external oil pump you chose to go with, is it still a wet sump? happy flying!
Fantastic work. Darn that engine, if it had been up to the same standard as your creation, this would have just been a video about flying ;-) It's got a lot of P51 about it for a Spitfire !?
