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A full-sized Spitfire replica you can build from a kit!!
Surely the ultimate kit-built aeroplane at the moment (although a Focke-Wulf 190 is being built in Germany!), Spitfire Aircraft Co Ltd offers customers the chance to own their own, full-sized Spitfire, not a "half-scale toy", without the hassle (maintenance, insurance etc) of keeping the genuine article.
Spitfire Aircraft Co is owned by Russ Harmuth, who has been in the aviation business for 40 years. Russ apprenticed at United Airlines as a mechanic, then at Ground Equipment Engineering as a design engineering draftsman. He's also a current pilot and holds A&P and IA mechanic certifications. Not only that, but Russ has been restoring champion quality antique aircraft for 23 YEARS!
Some of his prestigious awards include:
- Reserve Grand Champion (Stearman Speedmail)
- Grand Champion (Stearman Speedmail)
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Spitfire fuselage
The full-size/full-performance Spitfire replica uses a combination of two well-proven construction techniques. Fuselage bulkhead frames, wing and tail ribs, spars and beams utilize aircraft spruce and plywood design.
- Four massive main fuselage beams handle the loads for the Allison V12 and tie together the engine, fuselage and wing mounting into one solid structure;
- 18 spruce and ply fuselage frames form the Spitfire's curves;
- 19 built-up spruce truss-style ribs, and two massive Douglas Fir/plywood spars in each wing provide a strong and true wing structure that will cope with the power and speed of the Spitfire.
The beautifully rounded shape of the Spitfire's fuselage is built with the same "balsa-ply-balsa" sandwich construction technique as used on the famous De Havilland Mosquito, giving tremendous stiffness and strength, but a lot less weight than metal. |
Another view of the SAC Spitfire's fuselage
The use of both classic construction methods and the wood sandwich skins result in an aircraft that is a ton lighter than the original Spitfire Mk, IX, yet is stressed to 10G ultimate load. At 2,000 pounds lighter with the 1200 horsepower Allison V-12, the SAC Spitfire will easily outperform any original MkIX. Acceleration and rate of climb, will be nothing short of breath taking. Turning performance, maneuverability, low speed handling, and balanced field length will be noticeably better than an original metal Spitfire.
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SAC Spitfire cockpit
"Today's homebuilt aircraft represent a significant investment of time, money, and effort. If you are spending months or years to build an aircraft, a large amount of money and considerable hard work, what will the result be? What will eventually fly out of the workshop in the end? A 'toy airplane that buzzes around at 100 mph? A cramped two seater bounced around by light turbulence? A little rocket ship used primarily to transport a ten thousand dollar paint job to an air show display? Spitfire Aircraft Company offers you the chance to create something that brings both history and your soul alive, a work of art.
What kind of airplane can you think of that makes you want to fly so much it hurts? What aircraft would you fall so madly in love with that you'll make any excuse just to go fly? What kind of plane makes a sound so powerful it moves your soul every time you hear it? Spitfire Aircraft Company has that plane and when you are on the ground after flying it, you are heartbroken that the flight is over. Being in the sky with a Spitfire is a destination. One that is well worth the journey."
(quote from SAC website) |
SAC Spitfire tailplane
As is clearly evident here, a lot of design and thought has gone into the SAC Spitfire's design.
Spitfire Aircraft Co currently have two prototypes being constructed, although by the looks of things there is still a long way to go yet before either of them is flying.
When they do, you can bet on there being a lot of coverage in the aviation magazines!
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Allison V-1710 engine, destined for the SAC Spitfire
The SAC Spitfire was stress engineered for at least 1400 horsepower, and 10G ultimate loads with that much power.
The prototypes will use the Allison V-1710 to provide real V-12 muscle while still keeping the engine cost reasonable. For the purist, SAC is exploring airframe options to allow an original Rolls-Royce Merlin if you prefer.
(I wonder, what with the lightweight nature of the replica, how fast it will go at full chat??!!) |
Spitfires on the wing!
What the two SAC Spitfire replica prototypes might look like when they are eventually completed...
I'm not sure what an Allison-engined Spitfire will sound like, however...!
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Spitfire Aircraft Company Ltd.
Spitfire Aircraft Company
P.O. Box 224
Avery, CA 95224
Phone (800) 304-7371 or (209) 795-9378
Fax (209) 795-2407
E-mail: russac@goldrush.com
(click on the photo to go their website) |
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