WIX Archives

rebuild/reconstruct/replica

Posted by Christer on Wed Nov 21, 2001 10:17:49 AM

I couldn?t decide the most proper place in Pauls thread to add this so, it went here!

I was a little surprised that my answer to the "Aircraft variant alterations" question a few pages back should be the only one. I gave G-MKVC as an example and since the topics are related it will do here as well.

It was given the identity EE606 since this was one of the most likely identities found on the original airframe which started the rebuild.
From this I deduce that no data plate was found but, once the most likely identity had been agreed on, remanufacture of this missing component was a minor task. In this sense the data plate itself is not important if the identity can be established otherwise.
Am I being too practical?

If there are two pranged general aviation aircraft of the same type you tend to be practical about things. Let?s say that one has a broken back and the other a twisted wing, neither beeing repairable individually for financial reasons but, if the sound wings are mated to the sound fuselage then one could be reconstructed out of two. Under these circumstances I think that it?s a safe bet that the identity would be inherited from the aircraft donating the fuselage.

So, Paul, I agree that the identity is "attached" to the fuselage / centre section.

Did You notice my choise of word - reconstructed?
If the major subassemblies come from different individuals I would label it a reconstructed aircraft say, the fuselage from one, a pair of wings from another and the tail from a third.
It would take more than 75% from one individual, including the centre section, to constitute a rebuild and if less than 25% come from one individual and the rest being remanufactured then it?s a replica even if the data plate is among the 25%.
The percentage can be discussed but, am I too practical again?

This is my laymans opinion (because I haven?t got any better) but, to educate myself, I?d appreciate opinions on the rebuild/reconstruct/replica issue!

Regards,
Christer

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