Dakota Messerschmitts

[H.Finn]

I stumbled across this on internet: https://web.archive.org/web/20060325120 ... index.html

Does anybody here have any comments on it? I suppose at least nothing flying came out of this?

[Invader26]

Very nice indeed. I wonder what engine/prop they used..

[TAdan]

I remember finding that webpage many years ago. I've often wondered what ever became of those birds.

[mike furline]

I don't believe either of these a/c ever flew. Perhaps they had hopes of flying, but I don't think that ever happened. I've read elsewhere that the "in-flight" photos are photoshopped.

I'm not sure whether these were built as replicas intended to fly (and that just didn't materialize) or built as ground bound replicas?

Various webpages have had non-answers like this, http://www.archive.warbirdinformationex ... 37521.html
" The engine/propeller issue has never been resolved to our satisfaction and consequently we have always refrained from making recommendations or endorsements in this area."
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthre ... erschmitts

I have never seen a picture with the engine cowling removed or an "N" # on the aircraft. I've only found one pic with a propeller in motion. (photoshop?)


Can the flight controls even move? All pics show them centered.
https://web.archive.org/web/20060325122 ... photo.html

Last edited by mike furline on Thu Apr 13, 2017 10:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

[quemerford]

Website does say, "However, today's litigation and tort [sic] environment prevent us from campaigning this airplane. We will never allow a flight-worthy example, or parts destined to fly, out of our control. "

[H.Finn]

Website does say, "However, today's litigation and tort [sic] environment prevent us from campaigning this airplane. We will never allow a flight-worthy example, or parts destined to fly, out of our control. "

I saw that. "Out of our control", have they flown their own example(s)? I doubt it...

[Fouga23]

flying image does appear to show 2 different aircraft and I don't see any obvious Photoshop tricks

[mike furline]

flying image does appear to show 2 different aircraft and I don't see any obvious Photoshop tricks

IDK? The flight controls don't look like they are functional.

[seabee1526]

Museums would love these.

[bdk]

flying image does appear to show 2 different aircraft and I don't see any obvious Photoshop tricks

IDK? The flight controls don't look like they are functional.

Would make a very nice rubber band powered free flight model. Would love to have their molds!

[JohnTerrell]

The same information about this was first published in a 1998 Warbirds International article, and most of the photos from that website were used in the article (that's how old they are). Even though the article leads off with that same photo of the "two" examples "flying", the article itself states that the one replica hadn't yet flown, and they were still undecided about what type of engine to possibly use (the idea at the time being to fit an automotive V-8). In other online references I've seen, its been referred to as a full-scale static model and the idea of making a flying example being more/less a dream.

Last edited by JohnTerrell on Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[JohnB]

Okay, if they're full scale models, what happened to them?
They seem a bit large/weird/expensive & time consuming to end up as North Dakota yard or barn art.

Granted, wheat farmers are famous for having lots of free time in the winter, but this is a surprise even if you consider the healthy warbird community in the state.

[JohnTerrell]

The latest I've read, "Red 14" (the only one existing, as far as I know) sits in the back of Bob Miller's hangar at the Casselton, ND/Robert Miller Airport, along with his flying aircraft (which includes a Pitts and an award-winning RV-8 he built himself). http://wordchipper.blogspot.com/2011/06 ... iator.html