Airframe dataplate change in the UK?

[9 lives]

The airplane I purchased in the UK, and exported to Canada has an airframe dataplate which is a replacement of the original, and not the same. In addition to the manufacturer's data for the 'plane, the UK registration has been added. The replacement dataplate is very well made, a bit too well... It has attracted attention during the import process, as it is neither original, correct (now wrong registration), nor was there any maintenance reference to it having been changed.

There was never damage to that area of the fuselage, so it would not have been replaced during a repair, and it is much larger than the dataplate it replaced (I have the sister 'plane, so I know what it should look like).

Is anyone aware of any reason that a UK registered 'plane might require a changed dataplate, and/or the addition of the aircraft registration on the dataplate? In Canada, we are required to have a fireproof registration plate, but it is a different plate to the manufacturer's dataplate - which is not supposed to be altered.

Any thoughts?

[ericferret]

UK is just the same, normally the makers plate is never touched. However I have seen one type (BO 105) where there was a box for the registration on the makers plate. I never saw one that had this information added.

The requirement for a registration plate was part of the Air Navigation Order however this seems to have disappeared with the 2016 revision. Could be this is now an EASA requirement.
Correction it is still in the ANO Schedule 4

Loss of the plate can be serious as manufacturers are reluctant to replace them. How did it get an export Cof A without a plate?

[ChickenHouse]

Who says a manufacturers plate is not supposed to be altered?

As the plates do have an entry field for the registration it is to be changed upon change of registration. They are no VIN plates. Usually this is a 5£ spare part you get from the manufacturer and get it engraved yourself. For some airframes the plate is even drawn in measure in the maintenance manual to let you go to a local shop and get it done there.

[ericferret]

You can indeed get a makers plate as a spare, what the blank one I have lacks is the manufacturers inspection stamp. The question becomes how do I know this aircraft is the one that the log books refer to? Without an original data plate there is know way of knowing. Aircraft "ringers" are not unknown, at one time Bell stated that after subtracting known write offs there were more Bell 47 flying than Bell built. Buyer beware as always.

https://blog.globalair.com/post/Can-...-Internet.aspx

If a replacement plate is installed then there should be a log book entry to reflect the change.
Technically this would be a repair or modification.

[9 lives]

I've reviewed the Canadian regulations, and permission is required from "The Minister" (meaning Transport Canada) to replace or change a data plate. Though it does not state, I would presume that the process of obtaining this permission, and accomplishing the work should result in a tech log entry. In the case of my 'plane, this change was obviously made in the UK, and there is no log entry for this work, nor evidence of permission. The new data plate is beautifully made, so it was not a casual effort, it's just not original.

If someone can point me toward a similar UK CAA regulation, I would be appreciative...

[MrAverage]

Depending on the type you may need an EASA regulation..................

[ChickenHouse]

Depending on the type you may need an EASA regulation..................

I somehow doubt there is one.

[Stampe]

Given the "creativity" that has been allowed to go on in the warbird community in the UK I think it would prove very difficult for the UK CAA to take a hard line stance on this subject.