WIX Archives
Re: Discussion Topic. The 'A List'
Posted by Joe on Fri Jul 19, 2002 06:02:02 PM
In reply top Discussion Topic. The 'A List' posted by Paul McMillan on Fri Jul 19, 2002 11:00:16 AM
"A" List discussion
It is true that the Mustang, Spitfire and a few other limited run types are being recreated, but be sure that you have two different animals here. The Mustang fleet has a good future as new subassemblies are prolonging the life of the old flyers, and allowing projects that were once too far gone to be finished. As the fleet ages, and increases in size, the available airframe parts will become better and better. As the Spitfire population, and raw material in process is getting larger, these too will benefit from limited production of parts, though the "standardization" of some parts make hybridize the restored Spit to an extent...ie a Mk IX wreck restored as a Mk VI for rarity. I don't know. As for the Flug Werk and Zeros, I-16 Me-262 ect..These are limited production aircraft that are very similar to the wartime artice, and are available because the market drives something different. Aircraft that can fall in here would be like the previous, suitable for limited production, and mostly sheetmetal. A5M Claude, Buffalo, ect... Given enough money anything can be built, even a Eurofighter.
For todays money we are limited. As for the Corsair, I don't think so. It is far too heavy and complex to build, as the mainspar is beyond explanation here. The benefit of all this is hopefully a rebirth of some of the 1930's fighters, Curtiss F11C, Hawk II and III, Hawker Hind (very intricate), and P-26, P-36, ect...As for the heavy iron, hopefully an Fw-190D/Ta-152 kit for the Reno Air Race set. (And an engine to match) But I digress...While it is neat to speculate on these, the dessert of the meal, there are plenty of aircraft sitting static all over looking for help. Dreaming to build is great, but there are plenty of projects near you that need stripping, sanding, painting, sealing and care. Strangely they are not P-38's. They are Heralds, Brittannia, Oxfords, Hastings ect...What is more important to the movement, a new Zero, or the second to last Beverly carelessly abandoned by enthusiasts to be scrapped? Something to chew over....