oz rb fan wrote:
after reading the 262 thread there seems to be an intrest in the possibiltyof reproduction aircraft to continue warbird operations in the future(fuel prices withstanding).
this was done on the flypast site a while ago bt i dont know if it has been done here f it has i apoligise for bringing it back up.
so what extinct or neart extinct aircraft type would you lie to see back in the air.
my top few.
1 westland whirlwind fighter.
2 ki46 dinah.
3 ki84 frank.
4 ca 11 woomera.
5 ca15.
6 j7w1 shinden.
7 ta 154 moskito.
8 n1k2 george.
9 ki 45 nick
10 f1m2 pete
I guess the first issue is what technical records, ie drawings remain or pattern aircraft/wrecks are available, without either the outcome is more likely a replica than a 'recreation" or "reproduction".
While I would be keen to see a replica CA-11 or CA15 I doubt that we will see either constructed for airworthy operation, although I am sure someone will create a Full Scale Mockup of the CA15 at some stage in the future for museum display.
Replica's are difficult to create in the high performance or large aircraft area, the design issues seem too large in my mind, and I dont see that happening to often.
I understand the FW190 reproductions are resulting in aircraft that do not have parts interchangable with originals, so I am unsure exactly what the basis of those aircraft are, but for the ME262's F3Fs' Yak 9s and Oscars it seems to me that original aircraft and drawings are being used as templates resulting in high accuracy "recreations".
The problem then for "totally" extinct types, or sole survivors is accessing a suitable template aircraft or wreck that will be permitted to be disassembled for reverse engineering?
I suspect this is the problem with bringing totally extinct types such as the Westland Whirlwind etc above.
Types that I think do have sufficient parts available as templates and that would be of interest from your list above are:
Shinden
George
Pete
Where the drawings, or a template example or suitable wreckage for pattern is not available the outcome disolves to being a lookalike and in some cases a poor imitation of the original, the Martin Baker MB6 replica in the USA comes to mind in regard to that issue where there seems to be length, height and profile compromises without any specific fractional scale approach undertaken?, and replica CA-11 or CA-15 might end up the same way.
The other real world limitation would seem to be a source of original or suitable engines, and the marketability of examples of the type to allow profitable sales of the limited production run output. Based on the earlier projects a 5 ship target would seem viable? (along with operational spares)
Others have mentioned the 109, as well as the Ryan STM and Dauntless, all three would have ready buyers.
Another would be the Brewster Buffalo, as would be the Stuka, the Fiat G55, Zero and the Ki61 Tony (as against the current "restorations" occuring, which would yield jigs etc to proceed on with "recreations").
Interestingly the CAC Boomerang is probably also a candidate given the work already done on re-engineering the wings etc.
The Mosquito restorations in NZ are establishing all the jigs etc to manufacture "recreations" beyond the current "restorations", but the source of metal parts would require further investigation.
I personally suspect such production runs will tend to be limited to iconic or high performance types? to ensure the saleability?
I think there are some types destined to remain only surviving in photos, or full scale mockups at the most, the Stirling bomber along with many others unfortunately will remain there, others - despite surviving examples, are probably too rare or too large to access as patterns, or econonically too costly to proceed, and will remain as sole (or handful of) survivors, the Halifax being an example of that situation.
Regards
Mark Pilkington
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)and especialy shindens
