Cost of a Fiberglass?

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 6:17 pm

Was wondering what the going price was for one of these replicas? Im especially interested in the MARC Corsair, Thunderbolt, and Lightning. Also does anyone know if Mr. Tallchiet even made a mold of a Zero?

Thanks

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

They're not cheap, by any means. I don't know what the current price is, but quite a few years ago when they were still new, Tallichet was charging $100,000 to $ 150,000 for a typical fiberglass fighter.

I've never heard of a Tallichet version of the fiberglass Zero. It could have happened, but I'm not aware of it. You have to realize that Tallichet used his own aircraft as the patterns to make the molds. I don't believe he ever had a Zero in his possession, unless it was for a very short time after his infamous South Pacific recoveries. He may have had a hand in the San Diego Aerospace Museum's Zero that burned down in the late 70's, but as I recall, that plane was never restored. Without an airplane, it's hard to make molds. So, I would say he likely never made a fiberglass Zero.

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 6:24 pm

Is there a complete list of these aircraft produced by Mr. T?

Proud Bird Restaurant and the 56th Fighter Group Restaurant has quite a few of them. But does anyone else have any info on this topic?

rwdfresno · **Posted:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:41 pm

When I was in his shop down near Ontario, CA working on a Corsair for a movie prop I saw several half completed P-38s, Corsairs, ME-109s, P-80s, P-51Ds, and molds for a TBM, P-40 and partial molds for a B-17. Lots of castings for R-2800 cores and cylinders, various propellers and engines.

Ryan

Avn-Tech · **Joined:** Fri May 22, 2009 11:00 am **Posts:** 116

Group,

I have six nearly complete full scale replica P-40's & three partial fuselages (non flying). I have partnered up with the original builer, who has built replica P-51's, Zeros, F-117, X-15, Ect. All of his replicas are made from Aluminum to withstand the rigors of time.

If you are serious about getting a replica, contact me off list. But as stated earlier, they are not cheap (may consider partial trade + cash).

Laterrrr
Avn-Tech

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:18 pm

Chris;
Two years ago I was quoted by Tallichet's group $150K for a Corsair with no landing gear to replace the one in Stratford.
It's probably still in the same ball park.
Jerry

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:19 pm

Double post! Sorry.
Jerry

krlang · **Posted:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:39 am

What a shame to see the P-47 at PBI after the hurricane.
It was wrecked in the corner of the parking lot.
I wish I could have brought it home. :cry:

Mgawa · **Posted:** Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:50 am

I work much with composite and for excample aviation grade materials like the Aramide cost here in Belgrade €34.0 per square metters, epoxy resin cost from €25.0 per kilogram. Also you have to note that there is also core material like balsa, PU foam or so on and you also need to invest in the vacuum/pressure materials.

So if you calculate that average ultralight plane is airframe wirght from 70 to 250 kilograms, that 40% of the weight is epoxy resin, the rest is fabric (in general 170 gr/m) you can with some rough estimates get estimated cost of the same material.

Hope this helps

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:19 am

warbird, i sent you a more recent post, 1st page of this thread. any help would be appreciated.

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Cost of a Fiberglass?

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