Modern replicas

[jmkendall]

With all the new build Mustangs, F3Fs, Oscars, ME-262s, FW-190s, ect, ect; I thought "Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone built a replica Boeing B-9".

Seriously there is a nice effort to build WW1 replica's, and we all know about the WW2 stuff, but the between the war aircraft seem largely forgotten.

How cool would it be to see an open cockpit B-9 in pre-war colors flying into an airshow?

Thoughts?

[Warbird Kid]

Okay I'll bite...

The reason (I think) the World War II examples are the only one's that have been rebuilt, is due to the historical significance that comes with them. These were the planes that were battling. Not the lesser known, weaker, out-dated aircraft from the inter war years. While I agree with you, I'd love to see some of these lesser known aircraft come back, I think it's hard to find the money to build a brand new plane that only 7 were built in the first place. The P-26 was along the same era, and yet we have a few replicas popping up of that one so... you never know.

Im waiting for new Vindicators and Kingfishers in kit form...

[Fearless Tower]

Im waiting for new Vindicators and Kingfishers in kit form...

Devastator would be nice too.

Speaking of Kingfishers....I've often wondered how difficult it would be to convert a BT-13 to an OS2U similar to how they did the Tora planes. Anyone ever looked into that feasibility?

[Stoney]

You could build a P-66 out of a BT-13

[Warbird Kid]

Im waiting for new Vindicators and Kingfishers in kit form...

Devastator would be nice too.

Speaking of Kingfishers....I've often wondered how difficult it would be to convert a BT-13 to an OS2U similar to how they did the Tora planes. Anyone ever looked into that feasibility?

While I'm sure it would look a little "fugly", I think it'd be a cool alternative for someone who's gotta have a Kingfisher, but doesn't have the crap load ton of money to do it. Just the ton of money.

[JohnB]

Someone in Reno is makeing a batch of P-12 replicas.
A friend has one on order (as does a European collector/museum) they have great workmanship but I think they are years overdue.

Aren't many Mustangs and Spitfires flying today essentially replicas?
Sorry to drag up the old/sore subject, but you can't did up a wreck that's been buring under a beach for 50 years and rebuild it to airworthy condition without replacing all the important parts...spars, skins, etc.

[Warbird Kid]

I believe I remember a W.I. article about these guys. One is for Weeks no?

http://www.antiqueairfield.com/articles/show/38-boeing-p12b-pictures

[Cvairwerks]

You could build a P-66 out of a BT-13

Sort of....the commonality between the P-66 and the BT-13 ended up being less than 10%. Mainly cockpit items and accessory stuff. The airfoils used and dims are different. The tail profiles are similar, but of different enough sizes that it would be a handful to fly. By the time you modified the tubular section to correctly place the cockpit, rebuilt the center section to a retractable gear and clipped the outer wing panels, and did all the necessary work to hang the R-1830, you could have scratch built the entire a/c.

[jmkendall]

Those P-12s are very cool! And that is what I am talking about.

Don't get me wrong I love WW2 Warbirds, or I wouldn't be here!

But in the same vein I am a Pontiac enthusiast and have been since 1978. But when I go to a national show do I look at the two dozen or so Carasel Red Judges? Uhhhh no, I look at the mint green, hubcapped ( but not poverty caps!); column shifted 68 with the endura delete option. Or better yet, the 68 GTO/El Camino that was never factory built. Why? Because I have been looking at 69 Judges for so long in print and in person that they are...well....ho hum. I still appreciate them. I would still love to own one; but why go out of my way to look at 15 engine blocks all stamped YZ or WS, or....heaven forbid...YS or WT!!!!

I know if I went to a major Airshow, sure I would check out the Mustangs, but if someone had a full scale replica of a B-9 I would be there in a minute!

And think about how cool it would be if there was a show at an Air Force base open house that already had a B-29,B-50, B-47, and B-52! Line em up with a B-9 and B-17!

Just my two cents.

[Tiger Tim]

Call me nuts but I think the proportions of a Vindicator are strikingly similar to those of a CJ-6:



A little cosmetic work to the nose and tail, new canopy and of course the right paint scheme and I think you could have a replica on par with the Tora birds. Just don't ever show it off with the landing gear down...

-Tim

[hang the expense]

I believe I remember a W.I. article about these guys. One is for Weeks no?

http://www.antiqueairfield.com/articles/show/38-boeing-p12b-pictures

NOW THAT IS SOME SERIOUSLY COOL STUFF!

[RickH]

Call me nuts but I think the proportions of a Vindicator are strikingly similar to those of a CJ-6

Except for the fact that they'd be about 1/2 scale.

[hang the expense]

I have looked for additional pictures but cant find any of the P-12s.Can anyone help?

[JFS61]

You could build a P-66 out of a BT-13

Probably be easier to go to China and look for the cave outside of Chungking where it's said a squadron's worth of them are still stored in crates.

[airnutz]

Probably be easier to go to China and look for the cave outside of Chungking where it's said a squadron's worth of them are still stored in crates.

Good luck with that...I'm sure the P-43 Lancers are still waiting to be recovered from the trench. What a war, corrosion, and the Great Leap Backward didn't consume...the cookware makers used up.