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[Elite Pete]

 Ive just read this

The distinctive silhouette against the clouds and the spinetingling roar of its engine caused thousands of young boys to look skywards.

Many dreamed of one day flying a Spitfire, the aircraft credited with helping to win the Battle of Britain.

Now, more than 60 years after its starring role in World War II, anyone with £130,000 in loose change and a double-garage can have their very own version of the iconic fighter plane.

Already 22 of the almost life-size aluminium kits have been snapped up by flying enthusiasts eager to experience the thrill of piloting the world's most famous fighter plane.



Echoes of the past: The new spitfire flies past the white cliffs of Dover


The 90 per cent scale Supermarine Aircraft Mk 26 Spitfire kits cost £100,000 and need up to 1,200 hours and a further £30,000 to complete.

Powered by a GM V6 engine, the sleek aircraft can fly at speeds of up to 222mph and reach altitudes of 18,000ft.

With 700 hours of construction work already completed, the Australianbuilt kit is shipped to customers with all major components already formed. They must then spend a further two years fitting together the hundreds of parts.

Businessman and Spitfire fan Kieran Padden, who imports the model Spitfire, says demand for the ultimate boy's toy is on the rise, with four more orders on the books.

Imagine the crank sensor packing up on this

[PaulW]

OR the Oil Cooler/HBV going mid flight  

[Tony H]

Or the leaking rocker cover gaskets dripping lube on the spectators below

[bob.dent]

A high maintenance aircraft then!!

[cem_devecioglu]

flying miggy is a bad dream  

much better on the ground..

[Markjay]

I wonder what's the MPG on this...?  

[Auto Addict]

Semi-synth 10/40?

[Ken T]

It looks very nice, but I doubt the performance will be like the real Spit. The engine they are using develops a fairly respectable 266HP, whereas the Merlin started off at 1100HP and was developed up to 2070HP. That would be fun in a miggie !

[Elite Pete]

There's nothing on this earth that sounds as good as a Merlin as well

[Ken T]

Oh I nearly forgot, one idea definately worth "borrowing" is that it has a dual set of sensors, and can switch over between sets while running. Just think if the crank sensor fails, you can switch over to the alternative set. In fact they recon it will run on only 4 pots !. Wonder what mileage they have between  cambelt changes ?  
Ken