Warbird Information Exchange

Last week, a few of you may have seen a Spitfire FSM being roaded around the M25 enroute to its new home in Kent.

Ordered by a lifelong devotee of Robert Stanford Tuck, the Spitfire was constructed by GateGuards down in Cornwall, using a totally new plug and mold, which will now form the basis for all early Marques of the classic design. I have to admit that I'm not a Spitfire person myself and due to the nature of my present role within the company as researcher, I have had to learn a lot over the last few months and have had some wonderful support from a lot of lovely people. From Shuttleworth with their Mk.5, Duxford with EP120 and BM597 and then Boultbees at Goodwood, I am rather pleased with the end result. Had a few sleepless nights over one or two points, but think what we have produced is worthy of the marque.

Anyone can create a shape that looks like a Spitfire its the adding of the detail and the finishing that shows that this FSM is rather unique. What with a turning propeller and suitable amplified sound effects it should go to annoy the neighbours for many years to come.

Nice weather too!

For the prop movement, please have a look at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQDnicnV4RY

Our website is down at the moment, having a new one built as we speak, so if anyone has any further queries, please ask here or drrop us a line at info@gateguardsuk.com

Martin Pengelly
Researcher/Archivist
GateGuards

IMG_1905 by Martin Pengelly, on Flickr

IMG_1803 by Martin Pengelly, on Flickr

IMG_1514 by Martin Pengelly, on Flickr

DSCF7413 by Martin Pengelly, on Flickr

DSCF7561 by Martin Pengelly, on Flickr

Very impressive. I'd love to have one in the yard.

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I agree, very impressive.
Seems to be having a bit of trouble starting in the video.
There's no lick of flame followed by a puff of smoke as she jumps against the chocks!
Oh wait, there are no chocks! Don't let her get away on you!

The detail looks first class.
Something I thought of while watching the video, is that the electrical cords could be very cleverly disguised, by having a trolley accumulator parked next to the aeroplane.
Power could be run through that while making the appearance even more authentic.

Great job

Andy

Nice work, and I am sure to complete it you will need the starter cart next to the spitty.

Thanks gents for your replies. This project worried me so much, as I had so much to learn and digest, but what with the talents of the chaps that we have working here, think it has paid off. Believe we are sourcing the customer a trolley acc as can't really leave it like that, can we?

Next Spitfire is off to Turkey when that is finished and then after that another Mk.5 to Ibiza and one to well can't say!

Best wishes,

Martin

Good to see you progressing with more Martin and also good to see that you are sourcing a battery cart.

I hope it's tied down well. Replica or not, come a big wind and it might try to leave!

Without being too nosey, can I ask what one of these might cost, approximately?

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Defending Stearmans on WIX since Jeff started badmouthing them back in 2005.

Nicely tied down now. Even with the engine turning over at 100rpm she likes to giggle about.

As to prices, these will probably change in the near future as we have created new Mk.1 moulds using AR213 at Duxford as the sole reference airframe. What is on the airworthy one, is in the replica. Worked with a lot of people for this and it will be the most accurate airframe out there. Some people model variants by using a Mk.9 and then adding different exhausts, but not us. They are meant to 'replicate' the real thing. Do it right or don't do it at all.

Now where was I.......oh yes prices. At the moment for a Spitfire, Hurricane, Bf109 or Mustang, or whatever takes your fancy prices start at about £65K. Mustangs, as we have been told by American Museum Curators, are now made from 'unobtanium', so they are a viable market item but Spitfires still are the most popular item in our back catalogue. Anything within reason is possible and if we have use of a donor airframe the price is reduced dramatically.

The Spitfires may drop in price due to the new moulds decreasing the build time. First one is in the workshops now and we have orders for 4 more, plus a Hurricane and a 51, so will gladly take orders, but they won't be ready next week.

If anyone has any questions, please by all means PM me here.

Best wishes,

Martin Pengelly
Researcher/Archivist
GateGuardsUK

I read the book about him many years ago. Quite a career!

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