Newbie Aussie rekindling the passion.

[Bazooka]

Having been in aviation in my youth and then having life get in the way I'm looking at getting back into it. I've ALWAYS wanted to build my own aircraft so I'm here to get back on board and get some help along the way.

 

 

[rgmwa]

Plenty of builders here. What kind of aircraft do you have in mind?

 

 

[Bazooka]

As I have always had a love for the old warbirds a scale P-51 is at the top of the list. More specifically looking at the Falconar SAL 2/3 scale Mustang using an automotive V12 engine.

 

 

[rgmwa]

That would be quite a challenge, even as a kit.

 

 

[Bazooka]

Well if you're going to do it, better do it right.

 

Firstly just want to know what rules and regulations there are in going down such a path before I do anything.

 

 

[rgmwa]

It would be an Amateur Built Experimental (AB(E)) with VH registration. RAAus is out as it's too heavy.

 

If you contact SAAA in your area, they will be able to fill you in on all the rules and regulations and assign a technical counsellor to oversee your project.

 

It should be straightforward as far as the rules and regulations are concerned, just a lot of time and effort to put it together, particularly if you decide to scratch build rather than buy the kit. The Wikipedia entry says the build time for a kit is 2,500 hours, which probably means that 3,500 to 4,000 will be more realistic.

 

 

[Gnarly Gnu]

Welcome Baz!

 

If you're looking GA I'd suggest going with a Vans. Might seem too vanilla but the kits and support are outstanding for a first build this is important, a less common / specialised build could easily take twice as long.

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

As I have always had a love for the old warbirds a scale P-51 is at the top of the list. More specifically looking at the Falconar SAL 2/3 scale Mustang using an automotive V12 engine.

There are quite a few Mustang kits around. Last year we had a good look at an impressive one at Cessnock. Building one would take lots of money and many years to complete. During that build time there will be major advances in power plants and materials technology. Flying one requires more skill and experience than most of us have.

I share your passion for the P-51, but it was an elegant and efficient solution to a problem we had 78 years ago...

 

 

[Bazooka]

There are quite a few Mustang kits around. Last year we had a good look at an impressive one at Cessnock. Building one would take lots of money and many years to complete. During that build time there will be major advances in power plants and materials technology. Flying one requires more skill and experience than most of us have.I share your passion for the P-51, but it was an elegant and efficient solution to a problem we had 78 years ago...

I'm approaching this as it being my one and only chance to do something like this in my lifetime. I don't see me building or owning multiple aircraft in the future so I'm aiming to do what I want the first time :) I'm quite aware of the work involved and time frame required. There is always going to be new developments as you say but you can't always hang out waiting for the new technology. That TV I purchased last month is already outdated.......

 

Sure one can go out and purchase their own complete aircraft but the build itself is something I have always wanted to do. From my youth, building and flying R/C aircraft from scratch, the passion for a REAL plane has always been there. I obtained my PPL decades ago which has since expired and, unfortunately, haven't flown in many years. I have also spent a few years of my career as an AME so the ins and outs of aircraft are not new to me. I have and currently do have automotive projects on the go so believe I have the skills required to pursue such a build.

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

I too started building a warbird replica as the project of my life. After a few years I realised it would take more than a decade, and I would need at least a decade's flying experience to control it. Can you build both?

 

 

[w3stie]

I'm approaching this as it being my one and only chance to do something like this in my lifetime. I don't see me building or owning multiple aircraft in the future so I'm aiming to do what I want the first time :) I'm quite aware of the work involved and time frame required. There is always going to be new developments as you say but you can't always hang out waiting for the new technology. That TV I purchased last month is already outdated.......Sure one can go out and purchase their own complete aircraft but the build itself is something I have always wanted to do. From my youth, building and flying R/C aircraft from scratch, the passion for a REAL plane has always been there. I obtained my PPL decades ago which has since expired and, unfortunately, haven't flown in many years. I have also spent a few years of my career as an AME so the ins and outs of aircraft are not new to me. I have and currently do have automotive projects on the go so believe I have the skills required to pursue such a build.

More info pls Baz.

 

 

[Bazooka]

Hence why I'm looking towards the bottom of the scale and got my eye on the SAL mustang. It's timber and fabric so should be easier and cheaper to build. As much as I'd love something like the Titan T-51 it's something way out of my league in price and build time.

 

 

[Bazooka]

More info pls Baz.

Ironically the current project is also a kind of scale Mustang. A Ford Mustang that is in the shape of an RA28 Celica (the Japanese mustang) running a 1UZ V8. I specialise in Toyota and all my projects are Toyota powered. I'm thinking of using the 1GZ V12 in a scale P-51

 

 

[w3stie]

Ironically the current project is also a kind of scale Mustang. A Ford Mustang that is in the shape of an RA28 Celica (the Japanese mustang) running a 1UZ V8. I specialise in Toyota and all my projects are Toyota powered. I'm thinking of using the 1GZ V12 in a scale P-51

Very nice. I built a Westfield clubman with a 4A-GE. Great little car. Another guy has a GT40 with a 1UZ. Sounds great!

 

 

[Bazooka]

Clubmans are cool, such go-karts. I got a 4A-GE in a Suzuki Sierra. Unstoppable offroad but is now just a farm truck. The misses has a Ford Anglia (Harry Potter car) which I plan to put a 4A-GE 20V in.

 

This is the 1UZ for the Celica.

 

 

 

[w3stie]

Yes the Westfield had a 20v blacktop engine and I used to wonder how it would go in an Anglia . Would be interested in how you get on with that project. Drop in to ozclubbies.com.au sometime, there’s a lot of interesting projects going on there.