Modern day Spitfire

[imagedude]

Does anyone manufacture a modern light aircraft with similar performance to a Spitfire? Can't think of a reason why anyone should, I just wanted to have some ideas in place for when I win the lottery.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Embraer Super-Tucano has similar performance to a Mk.1 Spitfire, as presumably does the Pilatus PC9.

Neither is marketed for civil use particularly, but I'm sure that if you went to either with a couple of million in your back pocket, and did some deal about not having any of the weapons hard-points fitted they'd be happy to sell you one with an ICAO CofA.

G

[18greens]

Ghengis,

Presumably the RAF will be getting rid of its Tucanos at some point in the future. Any idea when that will be? It would be nice to see a few of them on the civilian register. Surely they will be cheaper than a couple of million.

[witchdoctor]

Now that would be a seriously cool toy to play with. Always liked the Tucano, lovely lines for a modern a/c. Now where did I put that ticket?

[Genghis the Engineer]

No idea I'm afraid, although I used to deal with them quite a lot (and have many happy hours in my logbook watching Wiltshire go round in circles above my head as we assessed inverted spinning in it) I'm totally out of the loop now.

Seriously however, the RAF took an excellent Brazilian aeroplane and turned it into a much poorer machine. The lack of an effective canopy jettison, 0-70 (rather than 0-0) seats, very high control forces, overly complex cockpit layout and unreliable ECS do nothing to make it a lovable flying machine.

I'd rather have a Brazilian one, or for that matter probably something like an SU-26 than an ex-RAF Tucano to be honest.

Super Tucano

On the other hand look at Pilatus

PC9
PC7
Second hand PC7

Looks like a second hand PC7 might be the way ahead for the rich mans plaything at present. It's interesting looking at the website there to compare the cockpit of the second hand PC7s to that of the newer PC7 Mk.2 which is much less complex and more modern.

G

[Davidt]

UK Pilot mag did a feature , few months back,on an 80% scale replica @£60K.

I,m sold- anyone out there know how to build want to go shares??????????????

[Mr Wolfie]

If you want to go even smaller than 80% scale have a look at this:

http://www.ebrey.org.uk/silence-aircraft/

Not at all cheap though, but the kit looks very well thought out and beautifully designed. I understand that the PFA , within the last couple of weeks, have given "permission to build" for the first UK example.

Its got the looks if not the performance!

Mr. W

[Saab Dastard]

imagedude,

which mk. Spit?

Mk 1 or XX1?

Quite a difference!

But I know where you're coming from

I'd go for a big f**k off radial Sukhoi or YAK - especially tailwheel 50. They look like as far as I'd want to lead myself astray!

SD

[Airbedane]

The Miles Hawk Speed Six handles like one - it looks pretty good and sounds fantastic, too.

[Smedley]

This new Wildfire is more like a Bearcat, but interesting non-the-less.

http://www.wildfireairracing.com/

[ETOPS773]

MC15 Cri Cri

You may laugh and snigger,that ghastly little french home built with 2 chainsaw engines..BUT I flew one about a year ago and its bl**dy amazing just how much you can throw it around!

Rated to +9G,-4.5G and the fact you can build one for about £10k from scratch. Not one for the speed freaks,but if you want a safe and fun runabout join the club

[Zlin526]

ETOPS,

I'll second that!! A top aeroplane if ever there was one....

Getting the engines started was a problem on the one I flew, but once they were going, it was a blast..

Z

[ShyTorque]

ETOPS & ZLIN,

Either of you try the OEI performance?

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

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The Miles Hawk Speed Six handles like one - it looks pretty good and sounds fantastic, too.
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Agreed. But how does one get to fly one??


SSD

[ETOPS773]

ShyTorque,
Yes,and was quite astonished by it too
Another plus,which other plane can you get up in the air in less than 100m fully laden

[E1453]

There's the Thunder Mustang

This is a incredible all-composite replic of the P-51D. With a V-12 640HP, it's a better performer than the original Mustang. As far as I know, it's the best sport plane available today.

http://www.thundermustang.com/

[Airbedane]

Good point SSD, but Imagedude did add that he wanted ideas for when he won the lottery...............Miles plans still exist in the Public Record Office, if he couldn't find a Speed Six to buy, he could have one built.

I dream, I know, but it would be cheaper than building a Spitfire.

However, if the win was that large, I suspect a Spit could be built for about £1M, and they only cost a couple of grand an hour to operate.......

[Cool_Hand]

Try any one of these...

http://www.spitfire.org/replica.htm

I know Jaribu used to do an 80% replica that looked excellent and it had the facility for someone to sit (very snuggly) behind the pilot so you could take your mates up.

[18greens]

what about a Yak3 or a Yak 9.

The Russian equivalent of a spitfire and brand new out of the factory for 400,000 Euro.