What warbird would you build?

[John Dupre]

Inspired by the thread on owning warbirds I would post the challenge what warbird would you build? Consider your own skills sets, financial wherewithal, space etc. Could you organize a group to build it? Once it is built can you fly it? Would you pick something common or unusual or non existant?

My first choice would be the Fokker D.XXI single seat fighter used by the Finns and Dutch early in WW2. It has a steel tube fuselage, wooden wings and fixed gear. It was powered by either the Bristol Mercury or the Pratt and Whitney R-1535.

My second choice would be the Curtiss SOC Seagull. Power by the ubiquitous R-985, two seats, float or fixed gear. William T. Larkins favorite airplane. (He told me so himself.)

My plan would be to build two or three and sell the excess.

[daveymac82c]

Hey John,

nice choice of airplane, Fokker D.XXI that is. You've opened my eyes to an airplane I wasn't aware of before. Thank you. Good luck with building one... someday.

For me, I think something like a Tiger Moth, or Stampe would be up my alley. I don't really have mechanical experience so the airplane I work on would have to be simple, or I'd need some good help with it.

If I had help, I think a Harvard/Wirraway/Yale kind of machine would be fun to work on, and I believe I'd be experienced enough (given a little extra training) to fly it proficiently.

Good idea with your post. I can't wait to see what other people write.

Cheers,

David M.

[Warbird Kid]

B-24 x4

1 B-24J - to my own private group. Probably set up shop either at Stratford CT or Elmira NY.
1 B-24J - to the POF/ Palm Springs Air Museum -Dual Ownership
1 B-24D- to the Flying Heritage Collection
1 B-24J/D to the American Air Museum in Duxford. Dual Flagship with "Sally B"

The final B-24J/D is a special version that is easily convertible to make it resemble either version.

Go big, or go home.

[Nathan]

i would not have the money but:

Sikorsky S-43 (JRS-1) Flying Boat. The one the NASM has that was at Pearl Harbor on Dec 7th.

[Warbird Kid]

Why not just buy the Hughes boat?

[richkolasa]

I'd build a Hornet (DeHavilland, not AMC) as first choice, Kingfisher next.

Rich

[F2G_lover]

Big surprise - I'd build a run of F2G Super Corsairs. The first 3 would be replicas of Race 84, Race 94, and Race 18, and then maybe a couple more.

I just don't think the 3 that currently exist is enough.

Anyone else feel the same?

[Warbird Kid]

HECK YEA!

Ya gotta give a straight basic frame to POF and let them tinker for a year or 2. Then at Reno, the debut of "SUPER CORSAIR II!"

[lestweforget]

It would have to be an extinct type for me, Short Stirling and oh yes I would fly it. Seemingly, although it had a short wingspan and hence a low service ceiling (due to the RAF saying it had to fit in existing hangers,) it handled superbly, almost like a fighter.
About the Hornet Rich, in my opinion one of the most beautiful military aircraft to ever grace the air, have you checked out the Hornet project? I am sure you have, but just in case you haven't, I will post the link. They seem to be getting on reaaly well http://www.dhhornet50.net/

Last edited by lestweforget on Sun Jan 25, 2009 6:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[bdk]

Inspired by the thread on owning warbirds I would post the challenge what warbird would you build? Consider your own skills sets, financial wherewithal, space etc. Could you organize a group to build it? Once it is built can you fly it? Would you pick something common or unusual or non existant?

My first choice would be the Fokker D.XXI single seat fighter used by the Finns and Dutch early in WW2...It was powered by either the Bristol Mercury or the Pratt and Whitney R-1535.

R-1535s are nearly unobtainable. Not sure how available the Mercury is.

For a new build I might consider a P-43. If you are truly building from scratch, why build a common warbird like a Mustang? Too much competition out there.

Doubt I could organize a group at the same time I was building. Besides, after all that work I would want to own it!

[oz rb fan]

i'd love to rebuild a westland whirlwind fighter but considering the full question(and the lack of peregrine engines) i think a simple wooden airframe built in a small production run to help lower the final costs.
so that bring me to the cac wackett and if i make enough money a pair of ca 15's for fun

[Warbird Kid]

As Im rethinking the question Id say my revised answer would be this:

Starter Project: Kawanishi K5Y1 (Willow) x30 examples

Ultimate Project: B-24 Liberator x4 examples


Both examples of aircraft would be available for purchase in either 2 forms. Flying or Static.

[richkolasa]

It would have to be an extinct type for me, Short Stirling and oh yes I would fly it. Seemingly, although it had a short wingspan and hence a low service ceiling (due to the RAF saying it had to fit in existing hangers,) it handled superbly, almost like a fighter.
About the Hornet Rich, in my opinion one of the most beautiful military aircraft to ever grace the air, have you checked out the Hornet project? I am sure you have, but just in case you haven't, I will post the link. They seem to be getting on reaaly well http://www.dhhornet50.net/

I didn't know about this, thanks!

I'm buying lottery tickets this week, for sure!!!

Rich

[Jerry O'Neill]

Vought SB2U Vindicator and a Sikorsky R-4.
Jerry

[EDowning]

Martin Mauler.............STILL.