SUPERMARINE SPTIFIRE MK 1 (80% REPLICA)
INFORMATION SHEET.
General Information.
The aircraft, built from scratch by Terry Wilshire and
Bob Cutting of Vancouver B.C. is now recognized as the finest replica currently
available of the Mk.1 Spitfire. The Project was Started in late 1987 and
after approx. 12,000 hrs. completed its maiden flight on 27 Jan.1996.
The design and preparation of drawings was by Terry with occasional help from various local engineering resources including the University of British Columbia. Construction was by both Terry and Bob, and Bob also undertook most of the machining and welding. All parts other than instrumentation, tires, engine and engine components and prop, are scratch built.
The aircraft is of wood construction, fiberglass and aluminum have been used where heat or excessive compounding occurs . Plywood skins have been finished with a 3/4 oz. fiberglass bi-directional cloth laid on with roller applied Endura paint. After wet sanding, slight imperfections are corrected with high grade body filler and then regular automotive primer and acrylic finish coat applied.
Technical Data.
Scale 80%
Airfoil section. NACA 23015 to 23006
Gross weight. 2600 lbs.
Range. 2.5 hrs.(includes reserve).
Cruise speed. 130 Knots
Climb. 1200 ft./min.
Gear. Electric/hydraulic retractable, spring loaded struts.
Power plant specs.
Engine. Ford 3.8 ltr. V-6 (approx. 180 h.p.)
Reduction Gear. Blanton 2:1 belt driven.
Prop. 3 bladed 86" dia. ground adjustable by Props Inc.
Update:
The prototype has now flown approx. 70 hrs. and on the
8th November did a forced landing at the Delta Heritage Airpark. Some damage
was sustained to the gear and other components under the wing.
The aircraft has now been dismantled, i.e. fuselage separated from wings, and the engine has been removed. The reason for the forced landing was traced to plug high tension leads shorting-out due to high temperatures inside the cowling. This has been a constant problem with the Ford 3.8L due to the proximity of the plugs and exhaust stacks, and the tight confines of the engine compartment.
We are now building a new power unit for the aircraft
as follows:-
Engine: Chevy 383(stroker).
Max. h.p.: 418 @ 5000 rpm.
Max. Torque: 494 ft.lbs. @ 3500 rpm.(@ input to PSRU)
Compression: 9.5 :1
Fuel injection: Airflow FM300 all mechanical multipoint, low profile.
Prop: Three bladed 102" constant speed, complete with a Camdrive 500 PSRU(2.118:1 reduction ratio.)
Apart from substantially increased power, the immediate advantage of the SB Chevy is the ability to isolate the plug leads from the exhaust stubs, and the increased weight of the power unit will replace the 200 lbs. of lead ballast required on the Ford unit. At present the fabrication of the reduction drive is being completed and the engine block is almost ready.
Tally-Ho is currently working on plans and specifications.
Information and sign-up kit is now available. The price
of the information kit is us$35.00 and can be ordered on Tally-Ho's
website. Customers who wish to proceed with the project will be asked
to sign a sales, liability and registration contract. The cost of the initial
registration will be approx. us$750.00 at which time a registration
number will be issued. In addition the customer will receive a builders
kit consisting of construction drawings, parts catalogue and price list
and a construction manual.
Tally-Ho does not intend to supply a complete comprehensive kit, but only those parts that will not be readily available for the builder to directly acquire. We anticipate that builders will want to supply their own parts where possible such as fasteners, epoxy glue, plywood skins and spruce longerons etc., however all parts will be detailed and source information will be available.
Since choice of power plant and avionics is a customer preference these items will not be included. The aircraft will be designed to take a Chevy 350 block and standard instrumentation. All components supplied by Tally-Ho will be detailed and priced in the parts catalogue. The parts can be purchased in the three main groups or individually, depending on the builders preference. Tally-Ho will require a 1/3 deposit with parts orders at which time the customer will be advised of intended delivery. Prior to shipment the customer will be invoiced for the remaining 2/3, and upon receipt the parts will be shipped.
It is intended to supply the kit in three groups:-
Group 1: Fuselage/tail kit.
Group 2: Wing kit.
Group 3: Finishing kit.
In order to simplify the drawings and construction process, Tally-Ho will supply precision cut components such as wing and tail ribs, spar webs, fuselage bulkheads, jig templates and wing jigs etc. The Spitfire is a complex design with a multitude of subtle curves and compound shapes. Tally-Ho Enterprises is a subsidiary of Industrial Laser Cutting Ltd., and much work has been done on simplifying the construction process using laser technology. This allows precise cutting, indexing and close nesting of components, resulting in a significant saving in construction time and material, which we can pass on to the customer.
At present, a second Spitfire has been started, and the customer has agreed to be a " beta site" allowing us to test the precision cut components and refine the construction procedure. The fuselage framing has been completed and the wing started.
The original Spitfire replica was hand built without the use of computer autocad aids and laser technology, and its success and the world wide demand for kits was unanticipated!
The process of creating a kit is a complex and exhaustive process but we are determined to do the job right and to provide a quality kit with clear uncomplicated drawings. Despite considerable pressure from many enthusiastic builders, we have resisted the temptation to half do the job, and we continue to request your patience to allow us to prepare a kit that you will find a joy to build and a pleasure to fly.
We believe the Spitfire is a magnificent aircraft with a solid place in history, and its popularity will continue for the foreseeable future. We have the advantage of a proven design that was a pleasure to fly and became the center of attraction at every airshow and airport it went to. With the upgraded power plant and constant speed prop, we believe the aircraft will now perform as good as it looks.
We will keep you informed as the project proceeds, and once again thank you for your continued patience.
Sincerely,
Terry Wilshire.
http://www.tally-ho.org
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