Build a Spitfire in your garage...
Discussion
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/4646
Anyone got any garage space
bbc said:
Reach for the sky from the garage
By Greig Watson
BBC News
The project has already taken nearly a year
Susan Lipscombe-Ridley, like many people, needs more space in her garage.
But rather than being cluttered with old toys, unused tools and bottles waiting to be recycled, it is filled with a full-sized Spitfire.
And far from being an impulse buy at a car boot sale it has been built, from the blueprints and rivets up, at her Lincolnshire home.
Mrs Lipscombe-Ridley, who wants to raise money for charity, now needs more space so she can complete the project.
She said: ""It's not a hobby, it's a calling. I've given up my job to spend more time on the project.
"This is a chance to get to know an icon and even share a little bit in its history - and all for a good cause."
CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES
Some of the original instruments were slightly radioactive, so I'm not sure we could use those
Susan Lipscombe-Ridley
She began work on the all-metal machine over 11 months ago, to raise money for a Lincolnshire children's charity, STRUT in the Community.
Mrs Lipscombe-Ridley, whose son is disabled, said: "Seeing these wonderful aircraft, I thought it was a pity that people, especially children, couldn't get closer to them.
"In museums, understandably, you are kept well away but with this, you could get inside, touch things, really see what it was like."
The plane is an exact reconstruction of a Mark II Spitfire, one of the aircraft which took part in the Battle of Britain.
The aircraft, which will be 36ft 10ins (11.2m) long and 29ft 11ins (9.1m) wide has taken shape in a suburban street in Spalding.
"The neighbours have been fine. Every now and again they wander past and offer comments like 'It hasn't changed, much has it?', but we have been careful to keep the noise down," she said.
'Mammoth' task
She has been helped by a friend who both flew and worked on Spitfires while they were still in service.
She said: "Up until now, people have usually found a Spitfire in bits and put it together.
"That is very different to what we are doing here. We are sticking exactly to the blueprints, making it like the originals were made.
"But now we are facing the problem that my garage is just too small to be able to fit the wings and the tail."
She is now hoping a benefactor will come forward with larger premises so she can move the aircraft.
The decision on whether to sell or hire out the finished plane depends on what it is finally capable of.
"It's been built like a Spitfire so it could fly - but it would need an engine.
"So as well as the space, I would welcome any donations of internal fittings, though some of the original instruments were slightly radioactive, so I'm not sure we could use those."
Mark Parr, of Historic Flying Ltd, a company which restores Spitfires commercially, has been working with vintage aircraft for 15 years.
He said: "Restoring a Spitfire, let alone building one from scratch, is a mammoth task.
"This company is lucky to have the services of 10 engineers, each with their own field of expertise, and it takes us roughly 14 months to bring a Spitfire to flying condition.
"Every part we handle has to be examined, scanned, repaired and often remanufactured to the highest standard.
"We employ several other companies to make parts because we need them to be right, because safety is the priority."
He added: "We wish her the best of luck and hope the project raises lots of money."
Anyone got any garage space
J1mmyD said:
I have a Spitfire sitting under a tarp and about 2 dozen boxes in my garage ... it's of the Triumph variety, though.
(Out of interest, how many of you have garages full of sh*te and many grand's worth of autoporn on the drive?)
Yeah but you wear your jewellery on your hand for people to see but tend to cover your sweaty socks up.
I don't mean you, I mean generically
>> Edited by Fruitcake on Thursday 26th January 23:17
I'm pretty sure that it is a 1:1 Scale Model in reality. In fact, there are many such "model" Spitfires and Hurricanes all over the UK. Evey Spitfire or Hurricane you see on a pole outside any RAF base these days is a replica. Twenty years or so ago, the MoD had all the original Spitfires and Hurricanes removed from Gate Guard duty and sold off to private buyers. That is one of the reasons why the number of flying Spitfires and Hurricanes is steadily rising.
About ten years ago, I full size FLYING replica of the prototype Spitfire (K5054) was built and flown. I think that it is a permanent exhibit in Southampton's Sea/Sky museum now.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight. I'm sure there will be lots of "Spitfire" related news stories coming up over the next twelve months.
About ten years ago, I full size FLYING replica of the prototype Spitfire (K5054) was built and flown. I think that it is a permanent exhibit in Southampton's Sea/Sky museum now.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight. I'm sure there will be lots of "Spitfire" related news stories coming up over the next twelve months.
BBC Article said:
And far from being an impulse buy at a car boot sale it has been built, from the blueprints and rivets up, at her Lincolnshire home.
Well of course, I wasn't exactly thinking she had picked it up from a car boot sale.
"'Scuse me mate, how much for the Spitfire?"
"70p"
"I'll give you fifty..."
>> Edited by Jay GTI on Friday 27th January 09:24
dp1 said:
It's here chaps.
Chocks away!!!!!!!
www.supermarineaircraft.com/About.htm
I think I've just found a new hobby
Change from $200,000Aus... bargain!
Off to buy that Euromillions ticket...
Many of the Spitfires currently flying are practically "new build" aircraft. Also, the Merlins and Griffons that power them have been re-built and re-engineered so much that tey are virtually new (and better) engines. The same holds true for the flying Hurricanes - of which I think three were added to the airworthy list in the last year alone.
Watch out also for the flood of "new" Messerschmitt Bf-109s., 262s and Focke-Wulf Fw-190s which are in the pipeline.
These are quite exciting times for the warbird restoration fraternity.
Watch out also for the flood of "new" Messerschmitt Bf-109s., 262s and Focke-Wulf Fw-190s which are in the pipeline.
These are quite exciting times for the warbird restoration fraternity.
Are there new bf109s as well? I know of the flugwerk FW190 and the Me262.
I know there are those dodgy looking halfsize ones like that 'spitfire' posted.
There is this one, www.airic.ca/html/bf-109e_w_nr3579.html, and a few others, some Buchons have been 'converted' back into 109s via reengining with DB601s and various other changes. Although the only 'original' part left on most of these warbirds is usually the ID plate
I know there are those dodgy looking halfsize ones like that 'spitfire' posted.
There is this one, www.airic.ca/html/bf-109e_w_nr3579.html, and a few others, some Buchons have been 'converted' back into 109s via reengining with DB601s and various other changes. Although the only 'original' part left on most of these warbirds is usually the ID plate
There are FOUR 262s being built. In fact, two have now already flown.
The 109s are mainly rebuilds - but with lots of all new compnents. There is a German company looking at the idea of building new Daimler Benz 601 engines afor new 109s.
A genuine Fw-190A is being restored in the UK. A new build is flying in Germany.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 27th January 11:05
The 109s are mainly rebuilds - but with lots of all new compnents. There is a German company looking at the idea of building new Daimler Benz 601 engines afor new 109s.
A genuine Fw-190A is being restored in the UK. A new build is flying in Germany.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 27th January 11:05
Eric Mc said:
I'm pretty sure that it is a 1:1 Scale Model in reality. .............................
It looks that way, below is from an aircraft forum after she had been interviewed on T.V.
from an aircraft forum said:
Despite the over-enthusiastic local TV newshound's comments that this Spitfire "would be fully airworthy" it should be noted that its made from Marine Plywood and Aluminium, there are NO original Spitfire airframe parts in this replica, there are a few Spitfire "gauges"........otherwise it is all new construction. This is a metal and wood replica of a Spitfire fuselage (no more and no less). When examined closely on the TV it is possible to see slightly wavey, and what looks like creased aluminium skins, all with Dome Head rivets. All a bit like the Barry Gennard replica of K5054 that was made at Luton in the 1970's.
P.S. its for sale at £20,000
>> Edited by MartinD on Friday 27th January 11:28
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