One More Mossie

[Dan K]

3/4 scale


http://bogaert.jimdo.com/notre-projet/

[Zachary]

That. Is. Awesome.

[mustangdriver]

How cool is that

[bdk]

Glad to see they are using aircraft engines rather than automotive conversions. Hope the cowling looks OK when they're done.

That's a very daunting project and the workmanship looks impeccable.

[michaelharadon]

Mossies are like sex~there will never be enough in the world.

[soko121]

Ah but if you had a Mossie, would you need sex?, that is the question


simon

[Iclo]

Yes, it's a incredible job.

Close to 16 years of work, but they publicily revealed the project only one or two years ago.

According last news, the plane was transported to the nearly airport and is in final assembly step. First flight expected in the coming months.

[TimAPNY]

That looks great!

But I have to ask, what is gained by doing 3/4 scale over a full scale? It seems like it would not be that much more work or money to make it full scale. I guess I'm just curious, that is why I ask.

Tim

[brucev]

Glad to see they are using aircraft engines rather than automotive conversions. Hope the cowling looks OK when they're done.

i dunno, looks like they are using GTSIO 520 engines (though i dont see a turbo on the test stand picture), in my experience with a 421C, those engines might make a auto conversion look reliable

That's a very daunting project and the workmanship looks impeccable.

agreed!

[John Dupre]

That looks great!

But I have to ask, what is gained by doing 3/4 scale over a full scale? It seems like it would not be that much more work or money to make it full scale. I guess I'm just curious, that is why I ask.

Tim

For one there is the overall size. 3/4 scale might just make a project doable given the size of the workspace etc. Then there are the engines, 6 cylinder Continentals are less expensive than a pair of Merlins. It will be interesting to see how it looks when assembled. The Mossie was never known for having lots of rudder authority, especially at low speed, so I wonder if they made the vertical surfaces larger to compensate.

[51fixer]

That looks great!

But I have to ask, what is gained by doing 3/4 scale over a full scale? It seems like it would not be that much more work or money to make it full scale. I guess I'm just curious, that is why I ask.

Tim

For one there is the overall size. 3/4 scale might just make a project doable given the size of the workspace etc. Then there are the engines, 6 cylinder Continentals are less expensive than a pair of Merlins. It will be interesting to see how it looks when assembled. The Mossie was never known for having lots of rudder authority, especially at low speed, so I wonder if they made the vertical surfaces larger to compensate.

The Merlins were around 15-1600 hp each. Total is around 3000.
The Continental puts out maybe 350 for a total of around 700.
At 3/4 scale you will have maybe 1/2 the original empty weight but less than 1/4 the original horsepower.
It is a daunting project. I wish them well. Must have been fun to build it.

[Kyleb]

That looks great!

But I have to ask, what is gained by doing 3/4 scale over a full scale? It seems like it would not be that much more work or money to make it full scale. I guess I'm just curious, that is why I ask.

Tim

For one there is the overall size. 3/4 scale might just make a project doable given the size of the workspace etc. Then there are the engines, 6 cylinder Continentals are less expensive than a pair of Merlins. It will be interesting to see how it looks when assembled. The Mossie was never known for having lots of rudder authority, especially at low speed, so I wonder if they made the vertical surfaces larger to compensate.

The Merlins were around 15-1600 hp each. Total is around 3000.
The Continental puts out maybe 350 for a total of around 700.
At 3/4 scale you will have maybe 1/2 the original empty weight but less than 1/4 the original horsepower.
It is a daunting project. I wish them well. Must have been fun to build it.

3/4 scale ends up being about 42% of the original size when you look at it from a length x width x height basis. 75% x 75% x 75% = 42%. Then you figure in reduced material thicknesses and you're probably at 30% of the original weight. The wing area is 75% span x .75% chord = 56% of the original.

Similarly, if you cut the cockpit dimensions to 75% of original, the space inside nets 42% of the original's cube.

This kind of thing makes it hard to scale down airframes, 'cause they don't make 42% scale pilots.

[bdk]

The reduction in size should also yield much less drag as a percentage (drag is reduced more than 1/4). Won't take 3/4 the power to fly quite well, since the weight and drag are so much less, although it would never be as fast. How does the size compare to whatever twin originally used those engines? That probably gives you a more realistic estimation of the performance.

My point is that scale factors are not linear.

[brucev]

3/4 scale will be around 40' wingspan and 30' in length?

421C has a 41' wing and is 36' long, empty weight will vary but roughly 5100lbs and a max gross weight of 7450. The design of the 421 is relatively clean and with 750hp it is a 220kt airplane at altitude. (do not believe anyone who tells you it will do 250kt like the book says it will )

Any guesses (or translations from someone who can read the website as to the 3/4 Mosquito weights?

[MacHarvard]

Regarding weights and measures, the length is an inch under 29 feet, the span approximately 37 feet 3 inches and the height will be between 7 foot 7 and 7 foot 10, depending on final installations. The only visible weight on the site is the weight of the wing, 480 kg, or 1219 lb.

cheers
Doug