Clive DuCros' Spitfire
You must read his book!
There is a man with a mission - a bloke I got to know really well when he and I renewed the CofA on G-AKBO - the Messenger he sold me, and also featured in his book.
He decided to build and fly a replica of the prototype Spitfire. He wasn't a pilot at the time. So, what did he do? Bought a kit of Messenger bits, put them all together, learned to fly on it and got his PPL.
After 10 years of trials and tribulations, he built and flew the the Spitfire - 1/1 scale - powered by a Jag V12 driving a Harvard prop through a home-brew reduction gear.
He flew it successfully. However, a test pilot - I am told - stuffed it through mismanagement of the systems.
Despite a heavy gear-up belly landing - it was repairable.
Trouble was, it was all glued together - a one piece aeroplane - and it had to be sawn in 2 behind the cockpit.
It went to the IOW initially to the now-defunct museum and - I believe is now part of the Salisbury Hall collection as a static exhibit. Am I right or has it moved on?
A sad and premature end to a wonderful replica. It looked right and, I am told, sounded right too.
Buy Clives book - it really is fascinating!
I think there are a few aircraft based on his plans under construction around the world. One, I know, has a V12 Allison up front!
I think Clive is in Spain now messing about with boats - a complex character whose entry and exit into aviation were both as sudden.
A priveledge to have known him.
HP