Diemert steam powered P-51

DCogdon1 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:13 pm

bdk wrote:

They had production wooden T-6 tailcones flying during the war. Never got certified under the T-6 type certificate though, in fact I think they are specifically excluded. Some BT-13s had wooden tailcones too I think.

They may have used phenolic resin in the manufacture of Spitfire prop blades, but I doubt they were made of Bakelite!

No, but there WAS a proposal for a Spitfire made out of some form of plastics during the war, in case there was a shortage of metal. They went so far as to build a mock-up fuselage for the project.

Steve T · **Posted:** Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:18 pm

...and then of course there is the Jurca MJ.100, fullscale wooden Spit replica from plans; at least two of these have been built and flown, including Bob DeFord's in Arizona with an Allison V1710 up front.

S.

DCogdon1 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 26, 2007 4:10 am

Not to mention the Clive DuCros full-scale replica of K5054, which currently serves as a mobile exhibit for Solent Sky (I got to sit in it at Duxford in '04).

There's several Jurca MJ.100s on the go at the moment, as well as Russ Harmuth's full-scale Allison- (and possibly Merlin) powered kit-built replica that's being developed. One kit is currently on the go in New Zealand.

agent86 · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 3:57 am **Posts:** 926

The Hi-tech methods and equipment used by Mr.Diemert in making the "Defender" were awe inspiring.Watching Bob and his "Electronics wizard"using a bathroom scale and an old beat up ford truck while hauling butt amongst the tundra in Canada,to measure how much lift their various airfoil sections were producing must have made General Dynamics engineers quake in their boots.Who can forget the scene where the "Defender" refuses to fly and Bob says"looks like we'll have to start all over" To which his "Electronics Wizard" replys,"But we've spent 5 years on this one!" Technology waits for no one.

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:27 pm

Bob D should be given all due credit for building a war? bird? , without using up a lot of strategic materials like aluminum, steel,and wood. And if you leave a few rivets unfastened there's more flex. less stress transmitted so it might ride better in turbulence on the same principle that a wooden sailing yacht is nicer in rough seas.

John Beyl · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:06 pm

That would be "Turbulation" Bill...watch the movie and learn all about aerodynamics and the correct terms to use!

John

agent86 · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 3:57 am **Posts:** 926

Yep,Mr.Beyl is right, the correct term is "Turbulation" he dun seen the flick

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Diemert steam powered P-51

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