Double Curvature Ally Skin
 

Is it possible to make double curvature skin components (eg. cowlings, wing etc.) without heavy machinery or ultra-expensive tools? How good are the results?

(nutter interested in replica Spitfires with compound curved wings!)

The English Wheel
 

And a superb "touch" and eyeball. That gets it done, Spitfire.

Airfoilmod beat me to it

English wheel.

Takes a bit of Skill tho....:ok:

Certainly is europaflier! However, you do need to know the right bloke! Certainly I have seen what can best be described as "works of art" being formed by some highly skilled sheet metal workers using quite basic tools. The quality very much depends on the bloke - it is all down to "skill of hand" and experience :O. I do know that some car makers (Morgan for example) still make their cars by hand and, while "Double Curvature" work is not explicitly shown in the link below, they would certainly have that capability there. Enjoy some real Engineering!!!

H 'n' H

The Morgan Motor Company

And others have supplied the name of the bit of kit needed!

You see metal beaters sitting with crossed legs banging out panels for Ambassador cars in Bombay using just a hammer and a solid metal anvil. Seems to be the standard method of manufacture (mind you, it looks like it).

Thanks everyone, that's all really helpful.