Wings Over Wairarapa

[Berg]

Nope sorry Berg, that'd most likely be 4 Merlin's the Mossie and the two Spitfires, 1 Packard Merlin the P51 and 2 Alison's the 2 KittyHawks, unless they were both much later models which were sometimes fitted with a Merlin, certainly the Officer commanding Rukahia had his own Kitty re engined with a Merlin, it turned out to be a devastatingly fast and manouverable aircraft, almost as good they said as the last of the Spit's and Mustangs.
Cannot think of better Music to listen too either, an awesome sight ain't they and here they are in our little country, showing the world how to do it!

You could be right too. Still, a stunning sight and noise. Fantastic work also been done on the older WW1 planes with a huge amount being restored or remanufactured. Pity we are loosing the mossie to the states but great to hear a few others may be in the pipes. Now, how to make a Z750 sound like a Merlin v12

[ducatilover]

Well, I got properly burnt there on Saturday. It was an excellent show, apart from the announcer warbling on about a Beaver... nobody cares about it!

[SPman]

Wish I could have been there - a weekend spoiled for choice, Wings over Wairarapa and the Denny Hulme meeting at Hampton Downs. Still, Gavin and co have put up some great photos here http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi...=17517&page=17

KittyHawks, unless they were both much later models which were sometimes fitted with a Merlin

There are a couple of Merlin engined examples around - Judy Pay has her P40F in Aussie, there's one in the UK, I think, and a P40L in "as recovered" condition from of the beach at Anzio in Italy.
The P40E being restored in the RNZAF Museum, started life as a P40F, as well, but has been re-engined with an Alison to represent a P40E - there was bugger all left of it, anyway.

And my strange love for the Corsair...

I love Corsairs as well. I used to play fighter pilots in that one, at Motat, back in the late 60's, before it was whisked off overseas and rebuilt. Wish it (and the P40E) were in RNZAF markings, though. Of all the WW2 ex RNZAF fighters put back in the air, only 1 is in RNZAF markings, and that is the one in the US - the other 3 are in "other" colour schemes. At least it's good to see the Aussie P40 has it's original markings (apart from the ....shudder...shark's mouth they've stuck on it!)

When the Mossie departs, at least there is plenty of video around to keep us sated......until Glyn gets his in the air......and before that whisks off to the UK......

[BMWST?]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCXuH...ature=youtu.be

[Edbear]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCXuH...ature=youtu.be

Just beautiful! Why doesn't some enterprising aircraft manufacturer build replica's?

Anyone going to the NZ International at Dairy Flat this weekend?

[banditrider]

A few pics: https://picasaweb.google.com/1148217...eat=directlink

[Hitcher]

Just beautiful! Why doesn't some enterprising aircraft manufacturer build replicas?

I agree. All of the plans for these things exist in some detail. Transcribing these into a CAD package shouldn't be too hard -- imperial measurements notwithstanding. Fabrication should be a doddle too, compared to the comparative lack of sophistication back during WWII when aircraft were being knocked together at frightening speed. It would be interesting to discover what copyright issues there may be, just so everything is done all proper like.

[Edbear]

I agree. All of the plans for these things exist in some detail. Transcribing these into a CAD package shouldn't be too hard -- imperial measurements notwithstanding. Fabrication should be a doddle too, compared to the comparative lack of sophistication back during WWII when aircraft were being knocked together at frightening speed. It would be interesting to discover what copyright issues there may be, just so everything is done all proper like.

We have retro-mania sweeping the world and nostalgia everywhere. I agree with the modern technology being able to build pretty much anything at a reasonable cost. The systems would not need to be complex, just up to modern safety standards.

[Ocean1]

I agree. All of the plans for these things exist in some detail. Transcribing these into a CAD package shouldn't be too hard -- imperial measurements notwithstanding. Fabrication should be a doddle too, compared to the comparative lack of sophistication back during WWII when aircraft were being knocked together at frightening speed. It would be interesting to discover what copyright issues there may be, just so everything is done all proper like.

The plans don't exist in that much detail. At least not for some of them. Modeling the components and assembly inside a computer takes longer than most think, but it's relatively straightforward. Fabrication would be very difficult indeed, the number of individuals that have the required skills is reducing rapidly, to the extent that it may not be possible to teach a new generation. If you could I doubt you'd manage to keep the skills together, long term, like superyacht service suppliers they'd be out of work more often than not. As for copywright, is there not a time limit on such things? Although I can easilly imagine issues with things like the required end-use certificates, etc.

[pete376403]

These guys http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/ make a replica Spitfire kitset, between 75% - 90% full size ( I think the size reduction makes it a lot easier to find a suitable power unit)

Pictures - http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/M...undPhotos.html

[BMWST?]

apparently the spitfire wing is not easy to manufacture.The higher efficiency mustang wing is easier.The technology is there to make the manufacture of say a new merlin relatively easy.They build exact reproductions of the WW1 fighter plane engines from castings made form the original motors that still exist!

[Zedder]

These guys http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/ make a replica Spitfire kitset, between 75% - 90% full size ( I think the size reduction makes it a lot easier to find a suitable power unit)

Pictures - http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/M...undPhotos.html

These guys produce a range of 3/4 scale WW2 aircraft:http://www.campbellaeroclassics.com/id55.html

[pete376403]

These guys produce a range of 3/4 scale WW2 aircraft:http://www.campbellaeroclassics.com/id55.html

Oh niice. What would happen if you turned up at a warbirds meet with one of these?

[Zedder]

Oh niice. What would happen if you turned up at a warbirds meet with one of these?

I suppose it boils down to how purist the warbirds people are.

[BMWST?]

I suppose it boils down to how purist the warbirds people are.

i think some are purist in the extreme...esp the ww1 boys.As i said there are replicas and reproductions.