WIX Archives

Re: Spitfire Structure - Tongue in cheek response.

Posted by PeterA on Tue Jul 01, 2003 04:12:48 AM

In reply top Re: Spitfire Structure posted by Steve A on Mon Jun 30, 2003 05:42:01 PM

Steve,
Wouldn't that make it a clone of G-15-11 / HS543 the Indian Air Force two seater? That said wouldn't these two seater parts more logically have been incorporated into the first Dick Melton T.IX PT462?
I think the vintage aviation fraternity would be quite surprised how much interchanging of stucture and fittings has occurred between Spitfire projects as parts move up and down the supply 'food chain' from the humblest cockpit recreation to the full blown airworthy restorations. The reason for this is because the parts really have become the currency. People will not sell but they will trade. In my experience people at the bottom of the chain are usally more adept at hunting out and finding the parts. Time does not stand still however and what twenty five years ago looked like a collection of rather tatty parts for a 'no-hoper' static could now be well on their way to being a flyer - such are market forces.
As with the top end of the classic car world I am sure we will have a situation at some time in the futue with a dual claim to identity provenance.
PeterA


: Hi Peter,
:
: Its also worth bearing in mind that many components of thi
: s Spitfire (fuselage) are original to ML417, ie: the two s
: eat bracing and strengthening members that were removed wh
: en ML417 was reconfigured as a single seat machine in the
: early 1980's. The seat frames 10A and 13A of the Florida
: aircraft were newly fabricated. Looking at it this way do
: es it have a right to the identity as a clone of ML417?

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