Building your own Spitfire

[MLS-12D]

This past weekend, I picked up a secondhand copy of Clive Du Cros' 1993 book, Birth of a Spitfire: a Remarkable Story of One Man's Determination to Build and Fly His Very Own Spitfire. I haven't yet had a chance to more than glance at it, but it looks like a pretty good read, along the lines of John Isaacs' Aeroplane Affair: An Aeronautical Autobiography.

You can see some (not very good) photos of the Du Clos Spitfire here, and this recent article may also be of interest.

MLS-12D

[I have control]

Yeah it's a pretty good read... he put A LOT of money & effort into that project! Shame what happened to it.

[MLS-12D]

What did happen to it? An accident, I presume?

[Fly Stimulator]

Generally speaking I have no interest in trying to build a kit aeroplane, but the Supermarine Spitfire replica mentioned in that article is the one exception I'd make if I ever found the time and the space required to attempt such a project.

[I have control]

I think it had two forced landings in a total flying life of under 25 hours. I saw a video of the second mishap. I have heard two rumours/stories of what happened - one that the engine lost power, the other that the pilot tried to go around with the prop in coarse pitch. Either way it ended up in a field and never flew again. The last I heard it was on the Isle of Wight.

I never saw it fly but on the video the high-revving, high-pitched engine noise spoiled the effect a bit.

[MLS-12D]

the pilot tried to go around with the prop in coarse pitch

Of course I don't know whether either story is true, but this classic boob was commited by many real Spit pilots (including Douglas Bader; see here), so if there had to be an accident, I'd like to believe that this is what happened. Not as likely to result in serious personal injury, too.

the high-revving, high-pitched engine noise spoiled the effect a bit

Yes, it would be difficult to replicate the wonderful Merlin sound.

Many thanks for the information.

Fly Stimulator, I couldn't agree more!