Saturday, November 17, 2007

I LOVE AMERICA!!.

I swear, you could only do this here. From AR15.com, a report that a retired airline pilot has built himself a full-scale Spitfire replica. With pictures! Here's the description:
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 rudder 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
That it is!

Click on the links for the pictures.

Photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4, photo 5, photo 6, photo 7

The best thing about it? It's based here in Arizona!

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