Fouga23 wrote:
If it's to be a polesitter, is it not better to make a fibreglass one?
Many many thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions, so much appreciated. Have chased up a few already and have spoken to Air Spray who were very helpful indeed, but had nothing to offer.
Even though it seems that I am trying to do myself out of my own job, I did suggest to the Museum that an actual airframe would be more ideal and cheaper than a fiberglass copy, but they in their correspondence with me, are adamant that they require a model. I would have presumed that with them being in Florida, a real one would survive longer than a GRP copy?
Problem for us is that in order for us to create one, it would have to be from scratch as there aren't any in the UK. A nose, but not a complete airframe. So, would be CAD drawing, foam model, wooden plug and then mold from that. And then all the detailing too. A vast project, a time-consuming project. I'm not saying that we couldn't do it, we can build virtually anything - just done 5 F-35 Ground Trainers for the Royal Navy, it just would be a very costly exercise. But, if the Museum wants that and has the necessary funds, then we would be delighted to take on the job.
They already have an option on a P-51D, the paperwork was sent out yesterday. If this is refused, can see the Invader going the same way. But who knows? Could be some very rewarding times ahead.
Again thanks to everyone for their help.
Best wishes,
Martin