Well done sir, she pays a most skillful, graceful and beautiful compliment to real thing and I'm quite sure any spitfire owner would be proud to own or fly her! 'Wish I could do the same thing and upscale an Airfix Vincent Black Shadow!! just out of curiosity, is it a V12 Jag engine you installed?
A Vincent Black Lightning, WOW! I'm very impressed! and in actual fact an even rarer beast than an airworthy Spitfire, so in terms of motorcycling, that does indeed sir make you... "one of the few!!"
Clive Ducros Sad to say I don't have the nerve to fly, I stick to the sea, but I am always filled with admiration for some of history's legendary aviators, especially Herr Ernst Udett for one! The nearest I get to horizontal flying is riding a 74 Kawasaki triple H1 and a much more sedate lovely old single pot 61 Tiger cub. Do you still have the Spitfire, and/or is it flying?
Wow, that brings back memories, the Cub was one of my first bikes! The Kawasaki sounds quite a beast! What do you sail? The Spitfire no longer flies but I am very pleased that it is now a static exhibit in the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, run by Dave and his volunteers and one of the best BoB museums in the world! And Ernst Udet was certainly one of the aces of aces.
Hi Nick, it wasn't too badly damaged and was repairable, but the new owners didn't want to get it repaired. I nearly bought it back but decided it would be safer for the museum to have it to keep it in one piece!
Quit with the "Uhh it doesn't sound like a merlin" etc - when you build a spitfire from scratch and fly it, then you may criticise!. What a fantastic, inspiring story!.
Thanks for uploading this clip. I sat in the plane a few years ago after it had become a travelling exhibit with the Solent Sky museum. The book is a great read for anyone contemplating building their own aircraft, too!
I've always thought that this was an ingeniously engineered and elegant solution to making an authentic looking airworthy replica of K5054, something we'll probably never see any other way. Makes me wonder why more full scale lightweight replicas aren't often built.
Thanks, although it is a replica, but a prototype in its own right. The Jag engine was underpowered at 365 HP but the plan was to increase it to 500 HP. Never happened as the CAA test pilot crashed it!
Great that you enjoyed the book! And yes, Pete was a legend in his own time and I had the priviledge of being taught to fly by him. If you get time I would really appreciate if you could post a review on Kindle, Amazon about the Ebook version of Birth of a Spitfire. Many thanks.
Clive, Really enjoyed your book which I have read several times. What a brilliant effort all-round. Apart from the last flight of course which was a great shame. I knew Ray Hilborne slightly, a very pleasant chap. Many thanks for this inspiring project and book.
+leviercosmicwind Hi, thanks for your kind comments. The Spit is now in the Kent Battle of Britain museum, a very good home for it. Have you been there? If not, its well worth a visit. Ray Hilborne, ah, happy memories and they don't build them like that anymore!! Do you fly yourself or have you built any projects? Best regards CD
+Clive Ducros Yes, I fly a Skybolt biplane which I rebuilt with a group of friends and am building a single seat Pitts Special. I am an aircraft stress engineer by profession. Thanks once again. Both your book and John Isaacs' book have been inspirations to me.
+leviercosmicwind Hi, what is the Skybolt stressed to? The Spit was stressed by Ray to +6/-3 and we didn't have to proof load the wing before flight. As we literally glued the wings on, I obviously had every confidence in Ray's calcs! I'll always remember his catchphrase: "all problems are soluble in beer"!! Good luck with the Pitts.
It's amazing how so many armchair expert/heroes are so good at telling people who get off their backsides and actually produce something how they should have done a project. Well done Clive, Aviation progresses due to people like you, we need more like you and less of the armchair experts.
Only thing that hurts that plane it's not running a 12 cylinder Merlin plus that whistling sound as it went by, there's nothing like the sound of that motor, that was one of my favorite fighter's, long with the P51 Mustang, the Corsair, also the ME 109
I have seen the video of the aircraft slide off the runway, it seemed that the damage was to the wing tip, prop and the undercarriage leg. Clive, after all the effort building the aircraft, why was it not repaired. I understand it was cut in half, if so I think that was sacrilege. What modifications were dun to the engine and how was the prop driven. I am thinking of building a Spitfire with Jurca plans. I am in no illusion of the enormous task, and there for, I am trying to get as much help as I can. I hope you will reply, but what ever, I will congratulate you on a tremendous achievement.
Clive, Thank you for posting the video. It is much appreciated. I purchased your book several years ago and was fascinated by this story and the beautiful photographs inside. I don`t remember ever reading what the aircraft`s actual empty weight came out except that you say in the comment section that it weighed about half the Weight of the original. Can you tell me what this might be in pounds? I also understand that the plans for making original drawings available fell into some kind of conflict and was wondering if drawings could again be made to happen. No one can dispute the sound of a 60 degree V12 whether its a Merlin or a high revving Jag. I believe that maybe some of our larger American V8s with the right gearbox could turn a scale propeller and fly as well as your original if plans could be made available again. Jurca`s is beautiful but most of us can`t afford an Allison and the subsequent stronger, more expensive airframe.....It Would be wonderful to see this ship and more like it begin to reappear. A full sized fighter with an affordable engine is just the answer for us replica fighter types.
Hi! Thanks for your kind comments. I think the all up weight was over 3000lbs, but it was a long timed ago now!! I stopped selling the plans because the airframe was only designed and stressed for 500 hp and some people wanted to put larger engines in. Where abouts are you in the States and are you building a project? I'm coming over to Florida in November for a holiday.
Clive, Thank you, I appreciate it. Yes, it seems like builders have always wanted to change things from the original plans and it is understandable, if not frustrating. It seems like 500 hp would be more than enough for your design and if one wanted to install bigger engines, then there was always Marcel`s version. I`ve been involved in many projects and several restorations over the years but am not currently working on a project of my own. I have been a replica fighter enthusiast for quite a long while. My recent focus has been on research and development of large diameter, scale propellers for replica fighters, something I feel they have sorely lacked. I`ve found that scale props can indeed work well but very few gearboxes or chain drives offer tall enough ratios to swing them yet allowing the engine to rev up to potential. Also, not many manufacturers are willing to produce scale propellers. I built my own blade carving machine. K5054 was fortunate in that in its original form, it did indeed swing a large two blade prop,(Rotol?) almost ideal for an auto conversion. (It looks like it was fixed pitch, as well) I live in Iowa, approximately in the middle of the country. My family will be visiting in Florida around thanksgiving time in November, up in the panhandle region of that state. Where might you be visiting?............thanks again, Jim
Hi Jim, In its early days the Jag engine was producing 370 hp with a smaller diameter HS prop. The plan was to increase the power output to 500 hp and fit a larger prop, but unfortunately we didn't get the chance to do this after the landing accident. The reduction gearbox we designed and built was stressed for 500 hp and worked really well but cost a fortune to produce! You live in Iowa, that's corn and John Wayne country isn't it?!! I'll be in Florida all of November, in fact I'm getting married in Sebring! Are you coming down with your family? Clive
Clive, Thank you. Yes, Iowa is indeed the land of corn and the original birthplace of John Wayne. That`s actually a little-known fact and its always surprising when others know of it. Thank you. I remember reading a little about your specially-built gearbox and even today, its cost could be considered a small fortune. At this moment, I haven`t decided whether I`ll be in Florida with the rest of the family in November but one of the first things I learned when I got married was that plans are frequently subject to change. I`d be thrilled to try to get together if it works out. In any event, if you haven`t had the opportunity to visit Kermit Week`s museum in Polk city Fla., it would certainly be worth one`s time. Although much further away, the huge Naval aviation museum in Pensacola contains a few aircraft that are the only remaining examples left in the world and certainly worth one`s time. ..........Looking forward, Jim
Hi Jim, I went to Kermit's museum back in '94 shortly after the Spit had flown. I had been invited to give a talk about it at Sun & Fun which is where I met him. I will have a couple of days of free time in Florida so if you do decide to come down it would be good to meet up! Best regards Clive
Thanks for enlightening me on Spitfire music! The takeoff of the last video leaves the impression of an underpowered or overloaded aircraft, the obvious question is: What caused the last crash? How much weight advantage did you gain by building a wooden airframe? And finally, your aircraft is so unique that you should make a video and fly it to the next E.A.A. Convention at Oshkosh, Wis or a similar association in the U.K. I see your venture as a search for excellence which ought to be emulated; that is what E.A.A. Is about.
All down to pilot error I'm afraid. The weight advantage with the wooden airframe? It actually weighed half the original's so we had the same power to weight ratio as a Mk 1, with less wing loading. I did give a talk and showed a video at the Fly in at Lakeland which surprised over how well it was attended! The PFA governs light aircraft builds in the UK but the Spit was outside their parameters so did it under the CAA. If you want any more info Gilles, I suggest you read the ebook!! Thanks again for the kind comments.
would it have been possible to put a Meteor engine in with a Merlin reduction box on for the prop? ive seen a Meteor set up this way before as a ground runner with a prop. 750 HP and 1550 lbf would be enough i think :D The jag engine would be better in a 2/3 scale Hurricane you can get now in kit form.
I have seen the video of the Spitfire slid off the runway. The damage didn't seem to bad. Wing tip, prop and one undercarriage leg. Clive, after all the effort that was put in to building the aircraft, why was it not repaired. I understand it was cut in half, if so I think it was sacrilege. It would be appreciated if you could say what modifications were made to the engine and how was the prop driven. I am thinking of building a Spitfire and I am considering the Jurca plans. I am under no illusion of the enormous task and there for I am trying to get as much help as I can.
Howard, the Spitfire was repaired after the landing incident and flew again until the accident which was due to pilot error. I actually cut the fuselage behind the cockpit, leaving the main plane intact should anyone want to restore her to flying condition, before transporting to the museum on the IOW. The new owners then cut the wings off!!! before transporting to the Southampton museum. The Spit now resides in the capable hands of the Kent Battle of Britain museum. Have you read my book about the Spit, if that doesn't put you off building your own, then good luck and you're probably do it!
Clive, I have read your book. Your determination was unbelievable. It made me think, imagine, dream, you have a good sense of hummer, you did make me lough. You certainty met some great people along the way. I am very surprised on some of the comments people have written, specially after working with such high calibre people.
Clive, I have read your book. Your determination was unbelievable. It made me think, imagine, dream, you have a good sense of hummer, you did make me laugh. You certainty met some great people along the way. I am very surprised on some of the comments people have written, specially after working with such high calibre people. Sorry for Claire Roberts reply, I didn't change user.
Any one that makes an air-plane and then flights it has dun something special. A spitfire is even more special. To build a look alike from wood with a converted car engine is fantastic. It will still have cost a lot, I estimate £150.000 but reasonable to run. Just a note for some people, A Spitfire say a Duxford rebuild, £3.000.000.00 min. I Merlin Engine min £500.000, are even £800.000 To operate it, £2.000 per hr. So unless you are a multi multi millionaire or a corporation, or the Government sponsored RAF Battle of Britain Memorial flight. you have no chance what so ever. Clive well dun. If the CAA test pilot hadn't meased up, you would have flown 1000 hrs plus. But such is life.
Clive, I remember seeing you at Old Sarum during the build but have rather lost contact with the aircraft; where is your Spit now and what's happening to it?
+david perry Hi David, good to hear from you and did we last meet when I flew the Miles Messenger into Old Sarum?? That's a few years ago now! The Spit has gone to a very good home at the Battle of Britain museum in Kent and will be ground run on certain days during the year. The museum is the best BoB in the country and well worth a visit. If you do tell Dave Brocklehurst the Chairman you're a friend of mine and you will get a great guided tour. Have fun!
Beautiful project! Beauty post! However, if you want a Spitfire you have to give soul to it and the soul of a Spitfire is your Rolls Royce engine, its another unmistakable feature! Bravo!
Thanks for your comments! But a Merlin would have been too heavy for the airframe. The Jag engine sounded pretty good in real time, it's sound has been distorted on the video copies taken to upload here.
theres a book? i first found out about k5054 in the book story of the spitfire southhampton is pretty close to here too shall try to get and see it soon
i do have one question not sure if you can answer it but i am worried i may get too tall to realise my dream and fly a spitfire what would you say was the tallest person who could fit in a spitfire?
Won't ever fly again, it's currently with the Kent Battle of Britain museum where I understand they are working to make it a taxying exhibit. Good to hear the younger generation is still interested in "Spits", although this one was a replica but a prototype in its own right.
What went wrong with the last flight seemed that you could not get enough altitude, the damage did not look real bad. In the museum the visitors must like looking at it. I sure would
Perhaps the two-blade prop. was the source of the sound different from that of a genuine Spit. Nevertheless, this was a very fine example of aircraft workmanship.
Hi Gilles, The original Mk 1 used a two blade prop, the sound difference was because the Jaguar V12 engine ran at twice the rpm of a Merlin when on full power. Thanks for the compliment!
Aloof and underestimated like true English nature this aeronautical artwork smote it's foes in terrible numerical circumstances, simply a beautiful presision machine. Thank you for sharing.
Clive Ducros carburetion issues, my bad. flooding, flat set, bowl splash, fuel distribution problems at certain angles an velocities. I'm no expert, just a guy that watches documentaries on old aeroplanes 😆
What's the future the Ducros prototype? Desperate to see this bird flying and maybe even on the airshow circuit... It's not just the older generation who want to see an early Spit back in the air, I'm only 17 and I'm sure there's many others like myself ;)
+caesarillion Hi, thanks for the kind comments! When are you going to start building your own one? It makes a change to get sensible remarks on here!!!
I worked for Ken Rand and Rand Robinson Engineering and also built my own KR2 with a 36hp VW. I was upgrading to 1834cc to take passengers when I decided to sell. I also built about 20 sets of wings for other builders as I had a jig I used. I'm doing an RC amphibian now just for kicks. I also collect old model airplane engines and fix them. Maybe some day I'll get back into the biggies but just armchair stuff for now. Warbirds are way cool.
Hardly a crash more like a hard landing. But i'm glad it was still intact and supposedly the pilot is ok. Thanks for sharing. Best Wishes n Blessings. Keith
The airplane needed a different propeller, that particular constant speed propeller seemed wrong for that airplane. Propeller needed to be larger with more area.
That Jag V12 engine sure must be heavy compared to a trusty Rover V8 power to weight ratio better too .. but sure what do I know ha ha what a tremendous project and fair play to you. Best Wishes for the future !
Clive, I'd just like to say that I have immense respect for anyone who builds their own aircraft, but to build a full sized replica is an outstanding achievement. Haven't read the book, I'm afraid, but am I right in thinking that the Jag V12 puts out about 400HP? Does this give a similar power to weight ratio to the original Spit and Merlin? Will she fly again and, if so, when?
Thanks Chris, it did seem like a good idea at the time but took over 10 years to build. What spurred me on was people saying it would never work! We uprated the Jag engine to 365 hp and there were plans a foot to take it up to 500 hp as the Spit was a bit underpowered. But we never had a chance to do this before the accident. The power to weight ratio was indeed similar to the original prototype with half the wing loading. No, she won't fly again but has found a good home with the Kent Battle of Britain museum at Hawkinge as a static exhibit. The museum is well worth a visit, the best BoB museum in the world run by Dave and his volunteers! What do you get up to, fly, projects etc?? Regards Clive?
It's a shame after all that work that she should have had such a short 'operational' life; but in that you could say she is in the company of many other Spits! I used to fly (PPL only), mostly spam cans though I owned a little red biplane for a while. That was fun. I would love to have flown your Spit. Now I live in France and can't really justify spending the pension on aviation. But I can still dream.
Whereabouts in France do you live Chris? I live in Mallorca and drive through occasionally on visits back to the UK. Nothing wrong with dreaming! I count myself very fortunate to have achieved mine!!
I live in the Dordogne about 30 minutes from Perigueux the departmental 'capital'. We've been here for 14 years now and consider it very much our home. We make very few visits to UK as we find it too crowded and too 'busy'. That's true in the air as well - I was surprised at how empty the skies were here; although I still had to avoid the occasional low level fast jet!
The same reasons why I live in Mallorca, it's only really busy with tourists for two months of the year. And the same as you about the UK, the visits are getting less and less!!
No the replacement prop was fine. In fact it was better that the original one fitted having a slightly larger diameter which helped with cooling the underwing coolant radiator. Afraid it was down to good lod pilot error.
Is there a reason these guys never kill the engine when they lose one landing gear, or belly land? At least that way you'd have a much better chance of saving the engine.
Buen piloto,gracias a ello se salvo el avion,demasiado peso y quizas falta de potencia,lo presumo por el peso y el colapso del tren de aterrizaje,la relacion peso- potencia porque se come demasiada pista para despegue,finalmente la baja velocidad de sustentacion lo hizo bajar sin querer.Bonita replica,buen trabajo ,solo hay que hacer correcciones,el pilotaje impecable.
It's not a spitfire with that engine and only a twin prop. They originally had a twin prop in the early prototypes but they upgraded that for good reasons, same as requiring a powerful engine to drive it. Seems this aircraft is trying to make the same mistakes which got corrected before they were used in anger 80yrs ago.
Certainly its not a Spitfire! But it's a pretty accurate full size replica with a V12 Jaguar that after being converted for aviation use, i.e. twin plugs and ignition systems, dry sumped oil and purpose built reduction gearbox, performed very well. I guess you're referring to a twin blade propellor, as its only got one engine? There was nothing wrong with these props on the original prototype and early Mk 1 production models, apart from the fact they were fixed pitch. The prop I fitted was constant speed, if you know what that means, and gave the Spit a respectable performance. Suggest you do a little more reading about about both the early Spitfires and my replica before posting any other comments!
I didn't read the book. it some one check engine internals after the belly landing? the HP on the engine wasn't a problem at all. the first flights it flew flawlessly. if the engine wasn't powerful enough it would never flight at first. but in the last flight it seems like a power loss
The engine and reduction gear were checked, especially the quill shaft after the landing incident. All was fine thanks to the pilot cutting the engine. The engine developed enough horses and it flew very well! The last flight power loss was due to the pilot not using the friction nut on the throttle during the attempted go-around!! Give the book a try, I'm told it's a good read!
kinda curious as to why she wouldnt climb the last time. engine sounded ok and the control surfaces looked to be working fine. its a shame she went down. lot of hard work and a lot of time. congrats to all involved for getting her built and airborne.
Thanks Russell, It's a long story as to why she wouldn't climb. Really down to pilot error! Nothing was wrong with the engine or airframe. He forgot to do is landing checks, came in flapless and in fine pitch and didn't tighten the throttle friction nut so the throttle closed when he took his hand off to raise the gear.
+Clive Ducros well thats a shame. Hopefully youall will get her repaired and up in the air again...with another pilot. She deserves to fly after all the work you guys have put into her. Does she have a name?
I heard about this spitfire many years ago in a village called Andratx. I saved the story teller from a parking ticket by bribing the guardiacivil with coffee and llerbas.
thats not a crash thats under carriage failure there was something not right about that plane from the start engine sounded awful what year was this ?/
Please post your all metal version so we can compare. If we didn't have "the dumb ass Brits" as you so crudely put it., would we have an America today? You sound like Donald Trump- a guy on a fifth grade level, bumbling through life, and getting no respect. My last dog could do more than Turnip. When he's through, you may be begging to move to Great Britain. You have cut off all your options- speaking of a Dumb Ass. !! I( guess you have no knowledge of Tony Blair helping this country with Bush's little folly of a war, that thousands of good people died in.) And to think, you voted for Bush twice.
Spot on! We found out later some kids had got in the Spit and operated the gas emergency lowering UC system, aerating the hydraulics which is why the starboard gear failed to lock. Thanks for the sensible comment!
Really too bad it ended this way, all that work.. Suppose the risks were known anyway ? But at least it did took to the skies, that must have meant something ? What exactly went wrong ? Engine ? What’s it “doing” today ?
Hello Peter, She flew very well and the landing incident was unfortunately due to pilot error. Now residing on static display in the Kent Battle of Britain Museum in Kent, which is well worth the visit as it celebrates the lives of both RAF and Luftwaffe pilots who flew in the Battle.
Dosent seem to be any fault by the pilot on landing, main landing gear seems to fail him and hes just a passenger from that moment. Second crash seems impossible to se from video what happened. Epic build and a beautiful aircraft. seems to fly very well indeed. One is struck over how negative some comments are, for no reason at all. Its hes aircraft and hes chooses on engine and so forth, I'm sure there where lots of considerations in the process. Is AC flying nowadays? Sorry for bad english
Hi Konsum, As always it's great to hear from someone with positive views and thanks for the kind comments! The second landing incident was unfortunately down to the pilot. There was nothing wrong with the Spitfire or its engine. Once the bugs were sorted out, it flew really well. The aircraft has gone to a very good home. It is now a static exhibit in the Kent Battle of Britain Museum in Kent. Well worth a visit as it is the best museum in the UK!!! Where do you live?
That was a quick reply! And there's nothing wrong with your English, it's better than my Swedish! I know its a long time ahead but let me know before you go to the museum as I can probably arrange a special tour for you.
Further reading suggests the Spit, despite it's narrow UC, had no tendency to ground loop! books.google.ca/books?id=lNQsDQAAQBAJ&lpg=PA124&ots=v07E0NNp3T&dq=ground%20loops%20in%20wwii%20fighters&pg=PA124#v=onepage&q=ground%20loops%20in%20wwii%20fighters&f=true
Hi Clive, impressive achievement. Wonder what's the weight of your replica? A lot lighter than the original?. I remember reading somewhere that the original K5054 had an engine of about 800 hp and it weighed around 4000lbs empty. Nick
Thanks Nick. The all up weight was 2,200 lbs so it was half the weight and power of the original with a lighter wing loading so it performed pretty well!
Woo.hoo.. that's very light for a full-sized, 37 feet wingspan aeroplane abt 10lbs/sqft. I'm guessing it is v. docile in the air. Gorgeous thing. By the way I'm very curious to know if it did use the original airfoils for both the wing and tailplane? and was it pitch/elevator sensitive?
Yes, she was a delight to fly Nick and easy to land with a stalling speed of just over 40 MPH. The wing rib profiles were built using NACA 2200 as the original, same for the tailplane. It was pitch sensitive and during the flight trials had very similar characteristics to the original Mk 1, according to the test pilot Pete Thorn who flew with the RAF Battle of Britain flight.
Hi Clive, I really like the K5054 version of the spitfire. It has that sublime "race horse" look. The other contestant being the N17 speed spitfire. I got hold of some mkI (type 300) blueprints, no where near complete. Did you ever have access to the original blueprints of K5054? I would love to know where I can track those down.
I doubt that airframe would survive a real RR Merlin engine but its great effort marred by a faulty under carriage.It was under carriage problems and bad pilot visability that made Spitfires un suitable on carriers.The "Seafires" didnt last very long!
Was not a real spitfire. and was not a real crash. that is called a malfunction. a minor inconvenience. The pilot walked away and after a little work the plane will fly again. Everyone keeps calling little shit a crash.
there was a lot more planes built from wood than u probably think back in the war, it was cheap but also fast to build, biggest downfall was weight as it meant a lower payload to get off the ground, take a bomber for instance contrary to what u see on films and the gunners blasting away what looks like thousands of rounds of amo the truth was because of weight the guns usually carried around 500 rounds this would give them about 1 minute of continued firing time. not a lot when u got a squadron of fighters up your ass
A wooden airframe isn't much heavier than a metal one. Take the De Havilland Mosquito, one of the best fighter bombers in WW2 and very fast. The main trouble with wooden airframes was when the guns were fired, it cracked the glue joints!!
A wooden airframe is more forgiving when overstressed than a metal one!! Also just as strong if stressed right! Balls of steel ??? well I don't know about that ha, ha!
It' s amazing how strong the wooden construction was. The airframe survived relatively intact after the pilot made the mistakes which resulted in the Spit stalling in form some 30 feet!!
+Michael Brazile This has got to be one of the most stupid comments that I have seen on here. You obviously haven't got the faintest idea what you're talking about! For your information the Jaguar engine developed 365 hp, the Merlin in the original Prototype 900 hp. Work it out for yourself, if you can., laddie.
my god youre combative. can you handle an objective discussion? a. now that i know what kind of engine it is, a more precise measurement of the actual scale in engine power can be done. b. In addition i am amazed that your jaguar engine was even put in this airplane, rather interesting idea. My initial remark was obviously made under the assumption of some small, light aircraft engine such as a Lycoming that may develop 200 horsepower. Sure early prototype merlins developed pitiful figures such as 900 horsepower like you state, but the vast majority of spitfires and all other merlin powered aircraft produced in ww2 easily had 1400 horsepower. its still an absolutely massive difference in power. my speculative comment being stupid or not, the difference in engine power is absolutely enormous.
+Michael Brazile a. I may be combative, that's probably why I built a full size Spitfire replica and can certainly handle any objective discussion! Why didn't you find out what the engine power actually was before making such obscure comments!!b. One of the main reasons a Jaguar V12 was adapted and used was because it has 12 cylinders and exhausts that matches the original Merlin.In the 1930,s 900 hp was not a "pitiful" figure! It was sufficient for the original Prototype and paved the way for more powerful production models that more than helped to win WW2. It is not an enormous difference in power output!! In fact, the power to weight ratio and wing loading of the replica prototype almost matched the original prototype, being much lighter without armour plate, guns, etc. Subsequent flight tests revealed a similar performance to the original, a fact confirmed by the Civil Aviation Authority!
+Adrian Larkins Hi, she won't fly again and now is on static display in the Kent Battle of Britain museum. We have got the engine running again and next season the Spit will be fired up on certain days.
'ALL POWER TO HIS ELBOW' for the sheer commitment of the builder. It looks - & sounds - awfully underpowered. I suspect it's using a Lycoming or similar. On an associated tack. Over-&-above the number of specialist companies re- & building 'new' Spits I believe there is an Australian company that markets a scaled down copy (of a XIV?)
Well done sir, she pays a most skillful, graceful and beautiful compliment to real thing and I'm quite sure any spitfire owner would be proud to own or fly her!
'Wish I could do the same thing and upscale an Airfix Vincent Black Shadow!!
just out of curiosity, is it a V12 Jag engine you installed?
Thanks! A Vincent Black Shadow? Now that brings back memories! I used to ride a Vincent Lightning. And yes, it is a Jaguar V12.
A Vincent Black Lightning, WOW! I'm very impressed! and in actual fact an even rarer beast than an airworthy Spitfire, so in terms of motorcycling, that does indeed sir make you... "one of the few!!"
I wish I'd kept it!! I'm still riding a 650 Suzuki but getting a bit old for it now! What do you ride/fly and?
Clive Ducros Sad to say I don't have the nerve to fly, I stick to the sea, but I am always filled with admiration for some of history's legendary aviators, especially Herr Ernst Udett for one!
The nearest I get to horizontal flying is riding a 74 Kawasaki triple H1 and a much more sedate lovely old single pot 61 Tiger cub.
Do you still have the Spitfire, and/or is it flying?
Wow, that brings back memories, the Cub was one of my first bikes! The Kawasaki sounds quite a beast! What do you sail? The Spitfire no longer flies but I am very pleased that it is now a static exhibit in the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, run by Dave and his volunteers and one of the best BoB museums in the world! And Ernst Udet was certainly one of the aces of aces.
Thanks for the kind comments! It was this sort of encouragement that kept me going during the project and helped me finally achieve my dream.
Hi Nick, it wasn't too badly damaged and was repairable, but the new owners didn't want to get it repaired. I nearly bought it back but decided it would be safer for the museum to have it to keep it in one piece!
Discretion, the better part of valour. Well done Sir. It flew, you flew it, it was handmade...like my paramotor. I'm still alive too.
@@stevecowham1017 Thanks!
Quit with the "Uhh it doesn't sound like a merlin" etc - when you build a spitfire from scratch and fly it, then you may criticise!.
What a fantastic, inspiring story!.
Thanks for the kind and sensible comments!!
Clive Ducros did you ever get it flying again? I'm amazed you actually built a full size working spitfire, a real achievement!
Thanks for uploading this clip. I sat in the plane a few years ago after it had become a travelling exhibit with the Solent Sky museum.
The book is a great read for anyone contemplating building their own aircraft, too!
I've always thought that this was an ingeniously engineered and elegant solution to making an authentic looking airworthy replica of K5054, something we'll probably never see any other way. Makes me wonder why more full scale lightweight replicas aren't often built.
Thanks, that's exactly what I thought and why I built her!
Hello Clive , I wish you sold plans to it , I would have loved a crack at it , stunningly beautiful craftsmanship you did.
Thanks, although it is a replica, but a prototype in its own right. The Jag engine was underpowered at 365 HP but the plan was to increase it to 500 HP. Never happened as the CAA test pilot crashed it!
Spitfire now on display at Tangmere Air Museum
I do believe that the original also crashed.
Great that you enjoyed the book! And yes, Pete was a legend in his own time and I had the priviledge of being taught to fly by him. If you get time I would really appreciate if you could post a review on Kindle, Amazon about the Ebook version of Birth of a Spitfire. Many thanks.
Clive,
Really enjoyed your book which I have read several times. What a brilliant effort all-round. Apart from the last flight of course which was a great shame. I knew Ray Hilborne slightly, a very pleasant chap.
Many thanks for this inspiring project and book.
+leviercosmicwind Hi, thanks for your kind comments. The Spit is now in the Kent Battle of Britain museum, a very good home for it. Have you been there? If not, its well worth a visit. Ray Hilborne, ah, happy memories and they don't build them like that anymore!! Do you fly yourself or have you built any projects? Best regards CD
+Clive Ducros Yes, I fly a Skybolt biplane which I rebuilt with a group of friends and am building a single seat Pitts Special. I am an aircraft stress engineer by profession. Thanks once again. Both your book and John Isaacs' book have been inspirations to me.
+leviercosmicwind Hi, what is the Skybolt stressed to? The Spit was stressed by Ray to +6/-3 and we didn't have to proof load the wing before flight. As we literally glued the wings on, I obviously had every confidence in Ray's calcs! I'll always remember his catchphrase: "all problems are soluble in beer"!! Good luck with the Pitts.
It's amazing how so many armchair expert/heroes are so good at telling people who get off their backsides and actually produce something how they should have done a project. Well done Clive, Aviation progresses due to people like you, we need more like you and less of the armchair experts.
Fair comment Chris and thanks for the compliment.
What a beautiful build, I was gutted when she crashed, I will have to get the book, thanks for following your dream and sharing it with us
Hi Hilleary, thanks for your kind comments!
So you spent 10 years building this beautiful aircraft and had the chance to fly it? You are my hero, sir. Truly inspiring.
Thanks Jorge! It is much appreciated to get nice, sensible comments once in a while on here. When are you going to start building yours??!!
Only thing that hurts that plane it's not running a 12 cylinder Merlin plus that whistling sound as it went by, there's nothing like the sound of that motor, that was one of my favorite fighter's, long with the P51 Mustang, the Corsair, also the ME 109
Lovely aeroplane and quite an accomplishment, Clive.
Thanks!
I have seen the video of the aircraft slide off the runway, it seemed that the damage was to the wing tip, prop and the undercarriage leg.
Clive, after all the effort building the aircraft, why was it not repaired. I understand it was cut in half, if so I think that was sacrilege. What modifications were dun to the engine and how was the prop driven. I am thinking of building a Spitfire with Jurca plans. I am in no illusion of the enormous task, and there for, I am trying to get as much help as I can.
I hope you will reply, but what ever, I will congratulate you on a tremendous achievement.
Yours wasn't the only Spit to crash. What a fantastic job you did sir. Glad your'e not the worst for wear.
It is a static exhibit with the Southampton Aviation Museum. p.s. the book is a good read!
Is this the same aircraft which is now in the Tangmere museum ?
No, it's with the Kent Battle of Britain Museum at Hawkinge.
Clive, Thank you for posting the video. It is much appreciated. I purchased your book several years ago and was fascinated by this story and the beautiful photographs inside. I don`t remember ever reading what the aircraft`s actual empty weight came out except that you say in the comment section that it weighed about half the Weight of the original. Can you tell me what this might be in pounds? I also understand that the plans for making original drawings available fell into some kind of conflict and was wondering if drawings could again be made to happen. No one can dispute the sound of a 60 degree V12 whether its a Merlin or a high revving Jag. I believe that maybe some of our larger American V8s with the right gearbox could turn a scale propeller and fly as well as your original if plans could be made available again. Jurca`s is beautiful but most of us can`t afford an Allison and the subsequent stronger, more expensive airframe.....It Would be wonderful to see this ship and more like it begin to reappear. A full sized fighter with an affordable engine is just the answer for us replica fighter types.
Hi! Thanks for your kind comments. I think the all up weight was over 3000lbs, but it was a long timed ago now!! I stopped selling the plans because the airframe was only designed and stressed for 500 hp and some people wanted to put larger engines in. Where abouts are you in the States and are you building a project? I'm coming over to Florida in November for a holiday.
Clive, Thank you, I appreciate it. Yes, it seems like builders have always wanted to change things from the original plans and it is understandable, if not frustrating. It seems like 500 hp would be more than enough for your design and if one wanted to install bigger engines, then there was always Marcel`s version. I`ve been involved in many projects and several restorations over the years but am not currently working on a project of my own. I have been a replica fighter enthusiast for quite a long while. My recent focus has been on research and development of large diameter, scale propellers for replica fighters, something I feel they have sorely lacked. I`ve found that scale props can indeed work well but very few gearboxes or chain drives offer tall enough ratios to swing them yet allowing the engine to rev up to potential. Also, not many manufacturers are willing to produce scale propellers. I built my own blade carving machine. K5054 was fortunate in that in its original form, it did indeed swing a large two blade prop,(Rotol?) almost ideal for an auto conversion. (It looks like it was fixed pitch, as well) I live in Iowa, approximately in the middle of the country. My family will be visiting in Florida around thanksgiving time in November, up in the panhandle region of that state. Where might you be visiting?............thanks again, Jim
Hi Jim, In its early days the Jag engine was producing 370 hp with a smaller diameter HS prop. The plan was to increase the power output to 500 hp and fit a larger prop, but unfortunately we didn't get the chance to do this after the landing accident. The reduction gearbox we designed and built was stressed for 500 hp and worked really well but cost a fortune to produce! You live in Iowa, that's corn and John Wayne country isn't it?!! I'll be in Florida all of November, in fact I'm getting married in Sebring! Are you coming down with your family? Clive
Clive, Thank you. Yes, Iowa is indeed the land of corn and the original birthplace of John Wayne. That`s actually a little-known fact and its always surprising when others know of it. Thank you. I remember reading a little about your specially-built gearbox and even today, its cost could be considered a small fortune. At this moment, I haven`t decided whether I`ll be in Florida with the rest of the family in November but one of the first things I learned when I got married was that plans are frequently subject to change. I`d be thrilled to try to get together if it works out. In any event, if you haven`t had the opportunity to visit Kermit Week`s museum in Polk city Fla., it would certainly be worth one`s time. Although much further away, the huge Naval aviation museum in Pensacola contains a few aircraft that are the only remaining examples left in the world and certainly worth one`s time. ..........Looking forward, Jim
Hi Jim, I went to Kermit's museum back in '94 shortly after the Spit had flown. I had been invited to give a talk about it at Sun & Fun which is where I met him. I will have a couple of days of free time in Florida so if you do decide to come down it would be good to meet up! Best regards Clive
Thanks for enlightening me on Spitfire music! The takeoff of the last video leaves the impression of an underpowered or overloaded aircraft, the obvious question is: What caused the last crash? How much weight advantage did you gain by building a wooden airframe? And finally, your aircraft is so unique that you should make a video and fly it to the next E.A.A. Convention at Oshkosh, Wis or a similar association in the U.K. I see your venture as a search for excellence which ought to be emulated; that is what E.A.A. Is about.
All down to pilot error I'm afraid. The weight advantage with the wooden airframe? It actually weighed half the original's so we had the same power to weight ratio as a Mk 1, with less wing loading. I did give a talk and showed a video at the Fly in at Lakeland which surprised over how well it was attended! The PFA governs light aircraft builds in the UK but the Spit was outside their parameters so did it under the CAA. If you want any more info Gilles, I suggest you read the ebook!! Thanks again for the kind comments.
would it have been possible to put a Meteor engine in with a Merlin reduction box on for the prop? ive seen a Meteor set up this way before as a ground runner with a prop. 750 HP and 1550 lbf would be enough i think :D The jag engine would be better in a 2/3 scale Hurricane you can get now in kit form.
Well - if you're not prepared to crash them - don't fly them.
Another Twat comment.
Thank you
He meant about my comment you dufus.
My point still stands.
Twat.
My grandfather's brother Kristian Aagaard drove one of these. He died in 1953, the plane burned mid-air. Have you ever heard of him?
Hi Martin, yes I have heard of him. He got killed after the war in a Spitfire accident?
What's the wing loading and power loading difference, I assume it's 1:1 scale?
I have seen the video of the Spitfire slid off the runway. The damage didn't seem to bad. Wing tip, prop and one undercarriage leg. Clive, after all the effort that was put in to building the aircraft, why was it not repaired. I understand it was cut in half, if so I think it was sacrilege. It would be appreciated if you could say what modifications were made to the engine and how was the prop driven. I am thinking of building a Spitfire and I am considering the Jurca plans. I am under no illusion of the enormous task and there for I am trying to get as much help as I can.
Howard, the Spitfire was repaired after the landing incident and flew again until the accident which was due to pilot error. I actually cut the fuselage behind the cockpit, leaving the main plane intact should anyone want to restore her to flying condition, before transporting to the museum on the IOW. The new owners then cut the wings off!!! before transporting to the Southampton museum. The Spit now resides in the capable hands of the Kent Battle of Britain museum. Have you read my book about the Spit, if that doesn't put you off building your own, then good luck and you're probably do it!
Clive, Thank you for that info, I didn't know it crashed again.
I would like to read your book.
Clive, I have read your book. Your determination was unbelievable. It made me think, imagine, dream, you have a good sense of hummer, you did make me lough. You certainty met some great people along the way.
I am very surprised on some of the comments people have written, specially after working with such high calibre people.
Clive, I have read your book. Your determination was unbelievable. It made me think, imagine, dream, you have a good sense of hummer, you did make me laugh. You certainty met some great people along the way.
I am very surprised on some of the comments people have written, specially after working with such high calibre people. Sorry for Claire Roberts reply, I didn't change user.
Any one that makes an air-plane and then flights it has dun something special. A spitfire is even more special. To build a look alike from wood with a converted car engine is fantastic.
It will still have cost a lot, I estimate £150.000 but reasonable to run.
Just a note for some people, A Spitfire say a Duxford rebuild, £3.000.000.00 min. I Merlin Engine min £500.000, are even £800.000
To operate it, £2.000 per hr.
So unless you are a multi multi millionaire or a corporation, or the Government sponsored RAF Battle of Britain Memorial flight. you have no chance what so ever.
Clive well dun.
If the CAA test pilot hadn't meased up, you would have flown 1000 hrs plus. But such is life.
It states quite clearly both verbally and visually that it was a replica build and not an authentic version.
Seemed underpowered.
No with the half the weight and half the power it had the same power/weight ratio as the original Prototype
@@2598111 Not to mention that halving the wing loading reduces the power requirement considerably!
Good to hear a sensible statement on here!
Clive, I remember seeing you at Old Sarum during the build but have rather lost contact with the aircraft; where is your Spit now and what's happening to it?
+david perry Hi David, good to hear from you and did we last meet when I flew the Miles Messenger into Old Sarum?? That's a few years ago now! The Spit has gone to a very good home at the Battle of Britain museum in Kent and will be ground run on certain days during the year. The museum is the best BoB in the country and well worth a visit. If you do tell Dave Brocklehurst the Chairman you're a friend of mine and you will get a great guided tour. Have fun!
Dave Brocklehurst... :)
Was Pete Thorn the pilot? He trained me to Spin at OAT (now OAA). Legend!
Yes he was. He taught me to fly when he was at CSE Oxford, shortly after he left the UAS at Abingdon. What's OAT?
Thanks! Couldn't have done it without Pete
Beautiful project! Beauty post! However, if you want a Spitfire you have to give soul to it and the soul of a Spitfire is your Rolls Royce engine, its another unmistakable feature! Bravo!
Thanks for your comments! But a Merlin would have been too heavy for the airframe. The Jag engine sounded pretty good in real time, it's sound has been distorted on the video copies taken to upload here.
Well done sir! despite some unkind remarks I see have been made. Hope you are airborn very very soon.
Thanks Mike! She won't fly again and now resides as a static exhibit in the Battle of Britain museum in Kent.
theres a book? i first found out about k5054 in the book story of the spitfire southhampton is pretty close to here too shall try to get and see it soon
Not the same in wood and without a Merlin, but you got to admire the effort.
i do have one question not sure if you can answer it but i am worried i may get too tall to realise my dream and fly a spitfire what would you say was the tallest person who could fit in a spitfire?
Won't ever fly again, it's currently with the Kent Battle of Britain museum where I understand they are working to make it a taxying exhibit. Good to hear the younger generation is still interested in "Spits", although this one was a replica but a prototype in its own right.
What went wrong with the last flight seemed that you could not get enough altitude, the damage did not look real bad. In the museum the visitors must like looking at it. I sure would
Perhaps the two-blade prop. was the source of the sound different from that of a genuine Spit. Nevertheless, this was a very fine example of aircraft workmanship.
Hi Gilles, The original Mk 1 used a two blade prop, the sound difference was because the Jaguar V12 engine ran at twice the rpm of a Merlin when on full power. Thanks for the compliment!
NOt a Merlin sound but great sound anyway... Just different.
Aloof and underestimated like true English nature this aeronautical artwork smote it's foes in terrible numerical circumstances, simply a beautiful presision machine. Thank you for sharing.
Except for the problems they had with the engines cutting out and sometimes not being able to be restarted after doing negative g's.
Benjamin Esposti indeed the fuel starvation issue plagued it's service
Must have been pretty damn scary when that happened to the pilots. O.o
What? It didn't have any fuel starvation problems!!
Clive Ducros carburetion issues, my bad. flooding, flat set, bowl splash, fuel distribution problems at certain angles an velocities. I'm no expert, just a guy that watches documentaries on old aeroplanes 😆
What's the future the Ducros prototype? Desperate to see this bird flying and maybe even on the airshow circuit... It's not just the older generation who want to see an early Spit back in the air, I'm only 17 and I'm sure there's many others like myself ;)
My birthday is march the 5th 1965. She was 29 when I was born. That is my honour and privilege
A great day to have a birthday!
Congrats on a great and inspiring build.
+caesarillion Hi, thanks for the kind comments! When are you going to start building your own one? It makes a change to get sensible remarks on here!!!
I worked for Ken Rand and Rand Robinson Engineering and also built my own KR2 with a 36hp VW. I was upgrading to 1834cc to take passengers when I decided to sell. I also built about 20 sets of wings for other builders as I had a jig I used. I'm doing an RC amphibian now just for kicks. I also collect old model airplane engines and fix them. Maybe some day I'll get back into the biggies but just armchair stuff for now. Warbirds are way cool.
I missed the Merlin sound. But a beautifull scale Spit it is.
Thanks Holger! The Spit is actually full size, not scale.
2:40 and 4:32 good RPM but low ground speed? wrong replacment Prop cause the crash ?
Hardly a crash more like a hard landing. But i'm glad it was still intact and supposedly the pilot is ok. Thanks for sharing.
Best Wishes n Blessings. Keith
Thanks for your interest!
The airplane needed a different propeller, that particular constant speed propeller seemed wrong for that airplane. Propeller needed to be larger with more area.
The Hamilton Standard constant speed prop worked fine and we did fit larger blades that worked much better.
Where is it now then ? Sounds different ! Different motor ?
Hi don't worry! The seat adjusts down into the cockpit. I am six feet tall and fitted in!
That Jag V12 engine sure must be heavy compared to a trusty Rover V8 power to weight ratio better too .. but sure what do I know ha ha what a tremendous project and fair play to you. Best Wishes for the future !
Thanks!
Not if the prop was stopped in the horizontal plane beforehand!
Clive, I'd just like to say that I have immense respect for anyone who builds their own aircraft, but to build a full sized replica is an outstanding achievement. Haven't read the book, I'm afraid, but am I right in thinking that the Jag V12 puts out about 400HP? Does this give a similar power to weight ratio to the original Spit and Merlin? Will she fly again and, if so, when?
Thanks Chris, it did seem like a good idea at the time but took over 10 years to build. What spurred me on was people saying it would never work! We uprated the Jag engine to 365 hp and there were plans a foot to take it up to 500 hp as the Spit was a bit underpowered. But we never had a chance to do this before the accident. The power to weight ratio was indeed similar to the original prototype with half the wing loading. No, she won't fly again but has found a good home with the Kent Battle of Britain museum at Hawkinge as a static exhibit. The museum is well worth a visit, the best BoB museum in the world run by Dave and his volunteers! What do you get up to, fly, projects etc?? Regards Clive?
It's a shame after all that work that she should have had such a short 'operational' life; but in that you could say she is in the company of many other Spits! I used to fly (PPL only), mostly spam cans though I owned a little red biplane for a while. That was fun. I would love to have flown your Spit. Now I live in France and can't really justify spending the pension on aviation. But I can still dream.
Whereabouts in France do you live Chris? I live in Mallorca and drive through occasionally on visits back to the UK.
Nothing wrong with dreaming! I count myself very fortunate to have achieved mine!!
I live in the Dordogne about 30 minutes from Perigueux the departmental 'capital'. We've been here for 14 years now and consider it very much our home. We make very few visits to UK as we find it too crowded and too 'busy'. That's true in the air as well - I was surprised at how empty the skies were here; although I still had to avoid the occasional low level fast jet!
The same reasons why I live in Mallorca, it's only really busy with tourists for two months of the year. And the same as you about the UK, the visits are getting less and less!!
No the replacement prop was fine. In fact it was better that the original one fitted having a slightly larger diameter which helped with cooling the underwing coolant radiator. Afraid it was down to good lod pilot error.
They never did maintenance.
Is there a reason these guys never kill the engine when they lose one landing gear, or belly land? At least that way you'd have a much better chance of saving the engine.
first pilot did kill the switches, the second completely lost it and caused the accident!!
Simple problem about structure, not strong enough. Easy to answer, it's a very nice work.
It was plenty strong enough. The structure survived a stall 40 feet above the ground!!
Buen piloto,gracias a ello se salvo el avion,demasiado peso y quizas falta de potencia,lo presumo por el peso y el colapso del tren de aterrizaje,la relacion peso- potencia porque se come demasiada pista para despegue,finalmente la baja velocidad de sustentacion lo hizo bajar sin querer.Bonita replica,buen trabajo ,solo hay que hacer correcciones,el pilotaje impecable.
Thanks for your comments. Janette
It's not a spitfire with that engine and only a twin prop. They originally had a twin prop in the early prototypes but they upgraded that for good reasons, same as requiring a powerful engine to drive it. Seems this aircraft is trying to make the same mistakes which got corrected before they were used in anger 80yrs ago.
Certainly its not a Spitfire! But it's a pretty accurate full size replica with a V12 Jaguar that after being converted for aviation use, i.e. twin plugs and ignition systems, dry sumped oil and purpose built reduction gearbox, performed very well. I guess you're referring to a twin blade propellor, as its only got one engine? There was nothing wrong with these props on the original prototype and early Mk 1 production models, apart from the fact they were fixed pitch. The prop I fitted was constant speed, if you know what that means, and gave the Spit a respectable performance. Suggest you do a little more reading about about both the early Spitfires and my replica before posting any other comments!
I didn't read the book. it some one check engine internals after the belly landing? the HP on the engine wasn't a problem at all. the first flights it flew flawlessly. if the engine wasn't powerful enough it would never flight at first. but in the last flight it seems like a power loss
The engine and reduction gear were checked, especially the quill shaft after the landing incident. All was fine thanks to the pilot cutting the engine. The engine developed enough horses and it flew very well! The last flight power loss was due to the pilot not using the friction nut on the throttle during the attempted go-around!! Give the book a try, I'm told it's a good read!
What is that, a 4000-rpm Merlin?
No actually it's a 4500 rpm Jaguar. Get a life!!!
Didn't get all your message, Old red Dog, can you send it again?
Clive Ducros
Clive Ducros
Clive Ducros
Clive Ducros
Clive Ducros
What a shame...why was this the a/c final flight....did not look to badly damaged.
Nick.
kinda curious as to why she wouldnt climb the last time. engine sounded ok and the control surfaces looked to be working fine. its a shame she went down. lot of hard work and a lot of time. congrats to all involved for getting her built and airborne.
Thanks Russell, It's a long story as to why she wouldn't climb. Really down to pilot error! Nothing was wrong with the engine or airframe. He forgot to do is landing checks, came in flapless and in fine pitch and didn't tighten the throttle friction nut so the throttle closed when he took his hand off to raise the gear.
+Clive Ducros well thats a shame. Hopefully youall will get her repaired and up in the air again...with another pilot. She deserves to fly after all the work you guys have put into her. Does she have a name?
OK if you need any info let me know
I heard about this spitfire many years ago in a village called Andratx. I saved the story teller from a parking ticket by bribing the guardiacivil with coffee and llerbas.
thats not a crash thats under carriage failure there was something not right about that plane from the start engine sounded awful what year was this ?/
No Rolls in it that brings bad luck
+Cor Blaak Luck and superstition are religious conceits from the Dark Ages. You make your own luck with training and practice.
What a load of rubbish! Jag engine worked really well and plane flew like a dream!
STD go away! you wouldn't know shite about anything that's british. you've got your trumps America glasses on AGAIN
Please post your all metal version so we can compare. If we didn't have "the dumb ass Brits" as you so crudely put it., would we have an America today? You sound like Donald Trump- a guy on a fifth grade level, bumbling through life, and getting no respect. My last dog could do more than Turnip. When he's through, you may be begging to move to Great Britain. You have cut off all your options- speaking of a Dumb Ass. !! I( guess you have no knowledge of Tony Blair helping this country with Bush's little folly of a war, that thousands of good people died in.) And to think, you voted for Bush twice.
Mosquito 'The Wooden Wonder'
Its a truly amazing plane does anyone know where abouts it is now i would love to see it
Thanks Clive
Are you referring to the pilot?
guys the right landing gear gave away not the pilots fault...he actually did a great job it could have been worse...
Spot on! We found out later some kids had got in the Spit and operated the gas emergency lowering UC system, aerating the hydraulics which is why the starboard gear failed to lock. Thanks for the sensible comment!
Really too bad it ended this way, all that work.. Suppose the risks were known anyway ? But at least it did took to the skies, that must have meant something ? What exactly went wrong ? Engine ? What’s it “doing” today ?
Hello Peter, She flew very well and the landing incident was unfortunately due to pilot error. Now residing on static display in the Kent Battle of Britain Museum in Kent, which is well worth the visit as it celebrates the lives of both RAF and Luftwaffe pilots who flew in the Battle.
Talley HO....what engine??
Hi Ray, it's a Jaguar V12
Dosent seem to be any fault by the pilot on landing, main landing gear seems to fail him and hes just a passenger from that moment. Second crash seems impossible to se from video what happened. Epic build and a beautiful aircraft. seems to fly very well indeed. One is struck over how negative some comments are, for no reason at all. Its hes aircraft and hes chooses on engine and so forth, I'm sure there where lots of considerations in the process. Is AC flying nowadays? Sorry for bad english
Hi Konsum, As always it's great to hear from someone with positive views and thanks for the kind comments! The second landing incident was unfortunately down to the pilot. There was nothing wrong with the Spitfire or its engine. Once the bugs were sorted out, it flew really well. The aircraft has gone to a very good home. It is now a static exhibit in the Kent Battle of Britain Museum in Kent. Well worth a visit as it is the best museum in the UK!!! Where do you live?
Sweden, but we are planning to visit UK and Kent. in 2-3 years time.
That was a quick reply! And there's nothing wrong with your English, it's better than my Swedish! I know its a long time ahead but let me know before you go to the museum as I can probably arrange a special tour for you.
One thing I didn't like about the Spit was the spacing of the landing gear. Too narrow causes fatal ground loops.
Very true and the 109 had the same problem. I should have built a Hurricane with its much wider UC!
Further reading suggests the Spit, despite it's narrow UC, had no tendency to ground loop! books.google.ca/books?id=lNQsDQAAQBAJ&lpg=PA124&ots=v07E0NNp3T&dq=ground%20loops%20in%20wwii%20fighters&pg=PA124#v=onepage&q=ground%20loops%20in%20wwii%20fighters&f=true
It wasn't just the narrow undercarriage track but the gyroscopic load of the prop and engine torque that made it a bit of a handful on the ground.
Are you sure you don't mean the Steerman ?
Hi Clive, impressive achievement. Wonder what's the weight of your replica? A lot lighter than the original?. I remember reading somewhere that the original K5054 had an engine of about 800 hp and it weighed around 4000lbs empty. Nick
Thanks Nick. The all up weight was 2,200 lbs so it was half the weight and power of the original with a lighter wing loading so it performed pretty well!
Woo.hoo.. that's very light for a full-sized, 37 feet wingspan aeroplane abt 10lbs/sqft. I'm guessing it is v. docile in the air. Gorgeous thing.
By the way I'm very curious to know if it did use the original airfoils for both the wing and tailplane? and was it pitch/elevator sensitive?
Yes, she was a delight to fly Nick and easy to land with a stalling speed of just over 40 MPH. The wing rib profiles were built using NACA 2200 as the original, same for the tailplane. It was pitch sensitive and during the flight trials had very similar characteristics to the original Mk 1, according to the test pilot Pete Thorn who flew with the RAF Battle of Britain flight.
Hi Clive, I really like the K5054 version of the spitfire. It has that sublime "race horse" look. The other contestant being the N17 speed spitfire. I got hold of some mkI (type 300) blueprints, no where near complete. Did you ever have access to the original blueprints of K5054? I would love to know where I can track those down.
Oh and these days an aviation worthy 650hp inline liquid cooled is not impossible to find
I doubt that airframe would survive a real RR Merlin engine but its great effort marred by a faulty under carriage.It was under carriage problems and bad pilot visability that made Spitfires un suitable on carriers.The "Seafires" didnt last very long!
What are you up to these days Clive?
Enjoying the sun and retirement although seem to busier now than ever! How do we know each other?
We don't but I have always admired your build, and wondered if you had anything else in the pipeline.
Thanks for your kind comment. Anything else in the pipeline? Well, I'm busy writing books to try to make enough money to buy an original one!!!
Next time Sir , use the landigear please
A master piece
Thanks!!
what about a mustang crash in-stead
Very impressive achievement!
Thanks Tom! When are you going to start yours?!
I did the drawings for it in 1986 for the Spitfire Society
???
Don't understand, was that for the plastic replica?
Looks like this one is destined to remain on the ground as a display piece!
Jman
For me the Spitfire is the most beautiful aircraft ever built.
Was not a real spitfire. and was not a real crash. that is called a malfunction. a minor inconvenience. The pilot walked away and after a little work the plane will fly again. Everyone keeps calling little shit a crash.
Building it out of the thinest pieces of wood?
It would have made a cool cross-cut show piece. Brave move to take it to the air, balls of steel.
there was a lot more planes built from wood than u probably think back in the war, it was cheap but also fast to build, biggest downfall was weight as it meant a lower payload to get off the ground, take a bomber for instance contrary to what u see on films and the gunners blasting away what looks like thousands of rounds of amo the truth was because of weight the guns usually carried around 500 rounds this would give them about 1 minute of continued firing time. not a lot when u got a squadron of fighters up your ass
A wooden airframe isn't much heavier than a metal one. Take the De Havilland Mosquito, one of the best fighter bombers in WW2 and very fast. The main trouble with wooden airframes was when the guns were fired, it cracked the glue joints!!
A wooden airframe is more forgiving when overstressed than a metal one!! Also just as strong if stressed right! Balls of steel ??? well I don't know about that ha, ha!
Clive Ducros , +soul__seeker__ My point was that the pieces looked rather thin.
It' s amazing how strong the wooden construction was. The airframe survived relatively intact after the pilot made the mistakes which resulted in the Spit stalling in form some 30 feet!!
replica in every way.
except for the 1:10 scale engine power. maybe even 20 times less power
+Michael Brazile This has got to be one of the most stupid comments that I have seen on here. You obviously haven't got the faintest idea what you're talking about! For your information the Jaguar engine developed 365 hp, the Merlin in the original Prototype 900 hp. Work it out for yourself, if you can., laddie.
my god youre combative. can you handle an objective discussion?
a. now that i know what kind of engine it is, a more precise measurement of the actual scale in engine power can be done.
b. In addition i am amazed that your jaguar engine was even put in this airplane, rather interesting idea. My initial remark was obviously made under the assumption of some small, light aircraft engine such as a Lycoming that may develop 200 horsepower.
Sure early prototype merlins developed pitiful figures such as 900 horsepower like you state, but the vast majority of spitfires and all other merlin powered aircraft produced in ww2 easily had 1400 horsepower. its still an absolutely massive difference in power. my speculative comment being stupid or not, the difference in engine power is absolutely enormous.
+Michael Brazile a. I may be combative, that's probably why I built a full size Spitfire replica and can certainly handle any objective discussion! Why didn't you find out what the engine power actually was before making such obscure comments!!b. One of the main reasons a Jaguar V12 was adapted and used was because it has 12 cylinders and exhausts that matches the original Merlin.In the 1930,s 900 hp was not a "pitiful" figure! It was sufficient for the original Prototype and paved the way for more powerful production models that more than helped to win WW2. It is not an enormous difference in power output!! In fact, the power to weight ratio and wing loading of the replica prototype almost matched the original prototype, being much lighter without armour plate, guns, etc. Subsequent flight tests revealed a similar performance to the original, a fact confirmed by the Civil Aviation Authority!
+Clive Ducros Is there any chance of her flying again and if so how about getting a Merlin up front?
+Adrian Larkins Hi, she won't fly again and now is on static display in the Kent Battle of Britain museum. We have got the engine running again and next season the Spit will be fired up on certain days.
You should build a new one, with two engines, and call it "the 2017 Ducros Twin Spitfire" as a joke on all the car manufacturers
I cried each time that bird got its feathers ruffled.
Why did it crash? Was there anything wrong?
Nothing wrong with plane, it was pilot error!
Clive Ducros
I see. Thanks. Spitfire were great planes.
They certainly were Mick!
4:01 did he swear?
It is more like "Damn", "Pity about the great work on this bird. Hopefully only limited damage"...
He is a dare devil to fly this show piece !
No wonder the Spitfire's were made of Aluminum and steel.
Good crash landing, the pilot survive.
Wood is just as strong and more forgiving when overstressed!
'ALL POWER TO HIS ELBOW' for the sheer commitment of the builder. It looks - & sounds - awfully underpowered. I suspect it's using a Lycoming or similar.
On an associated tack. Over-&-above the number of specialist companies re- & building 'new' Spits I believe there is an Australian company that markets a scaled down copy (of a XIV?)
I think it was powered by a Jaguar engine. Read it somewhere. :)
silverGTO TwinTurbo
silverGTO TwinTurbo .
ho man i wish someone did the same but whit zero...those need to be build up again
Great job and lots of work !
Thanks Erik!
Ls2 Corvette Engine
Jaguar V12.