I think most of the aspects of this have been pretty well discussed, as well as some of the top types I'd like to see duplicated. 20-30 years ago a "replica" was worthless. I think that is because they typically were not done to a very high standard. In the past 10-15 years there have been some exemplary examples of "replicas" that represent the originals very well (think F3F, Ki-43, Hughes H-1, FlugWerk FW's and all). Since then "repliacs" are enjoying a much more favorable view and when done right are treated just like more original warbirds.
Tiger Tim wrote:
Sometimes I wonder why we don't see more replicas. Stuff like Fokker D.XXIs, Buffalo, maybe even a Vindicator or Devastator seem like pretty low hanging fruit as far as having a flying version of an extinct or nearly extinct type.
My $0.02 on why they aren't done more? It is a an ENORMOUS amount of effort. Creating something from partial drawings is much more difficult than duplicating a bent or corroded actual part. The idea that any of this would be "low hanging fruit" is pretty optimistic, doing a Vindicator or Devestator would probably be 30,000-50,000 man hours.
p51 wrote:
KiwiZac wrote:
Perhaps, like the Me262, a deal could be struck where the Chicago Ju87R is restored by the consortium who, at the same time, reverse-engineers it to produce some B-model replicas to fly?
I wouldn't hold my breath. That 262 that was taken apart wasn't in that great a shape to start with and needed restoration. I don't know for sure but I've bene told that the Chicago Stuka (which I've seen in person) is still in the condition it was in when captured, including bullet holes from combat. I don't imagine anyone would let you do anything to that other than wipe the dust off it every now and then.
I would also say there's alo an issue on how easy to fly these planes originally were, but I've heard from a pal who's flown a Fokker DR1 replica who said it was a nightmare to fly, yet there are many copies of them flying today.
All that said, does anyone know if Stukas were easy to enjoyable to fly? If so, a replica or one would be good for the owner if its a stable flying platform.
I know if a scaled replace stuka, saw it at a 1992 event, but they weren't allowed to dive with the thing to show off the siren they had on it. Such a shame, and I'd assume a replica 1:1 scale stuka might be restricted in the same way at airshows?
While I completely agree with you that this prospect is next to impossible, the Museum of Science and Industry has a history of doing something very similar to this. Their Boeing 40B2 flew in and was delivered straight off the line. 50 years later, in they 1980's the took it down and did some "restoration" (term used very loosely) and repainted it (i believe with house paint). Mind you that was 35 years ago now, but it has been done.
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