St. George Air Show 2012

What an oustanding success!  The first (and hopefully annual) St. George airshow was such a fun event to be a part of.  The weather got a little crazy but we still pulled in crowds that greatly exceeding anyone's expectations.  I was there representing our local EAA chapter and had the opportunity to show off pictures of my plane's progress.  I hope to be working on the next step soon and will post pictures promptly.

Flash Back

Hi, I have always had a desire to make a unique flying fighter
replica. My plan to achieve this goal is by producing this aircraft
in 85% scale out of composites. The engine of choice is the
supercharged 800+ HP Falconer V-12. The wingspan will be
43' 6", and the fuselage lengths will be 33' 2-1/2".

Work will progress on making the Fuselage plug, and then the
molds, and then the Wing plug, (3 piece), and then molds.

There will be several minor changes to the basic design for ease
of construction, however, the scale will be duplicated as closely
as possible to maintain authenticity and great flight characteristics.

To see a replica of these aircraft fly with all of the WAR ordinance
in place will be spectacular, especially since there are NONE flying
at this time.

This will be a several year project (6+-), and pictures will be added
on a regular basis as work progresses. Tony Pillegi at Corsair82
has been a great influence on our project, and we appreciate the
people over at Replica Fighter Assoc. for all of their help and
technical expertise, as well as the Folks at Homebuiltairplanes.com.

Please leave a note about our project.

Thanks, Don Lowe


This picture is of great interest to me as the pilot of the "Miss Carriage FQ-403" was my friend's grandfather, Bud Sherman, who lived near me.


This appears to be two F-82-G's near Ladd AFB, Alaska.


This is the North American Aviation plant in southern Cal. Sometime in 1947, '48 or, '49, waiting for the Allison 143, and 145 engines that produced 2270 HP.


This is Colonel Carrol McColpin's F-82-F, Circa 1947, of the 52nd Fighter Group, that we will be replicating with matching paint scheme. Including Radar "Dong", long range fuel tanks, and HVAR rocket trees.

Foam

August 2009


Applying 2x4 foam blocks behind the cockpit on the
left side of the fuselage plug with my daughters help.


Looking from the front of the right side cockpit to the
tail. Foam blocks glued into place, some used as spacers.



Looking from the tail to the cockpit, about 24' long.
The Plug has to be diagonal to fit in the garage.


Right side partially completed. A hot wire was used
to "level" between ribs. This is still in the "Rough-in" stage.


Total hours thus far - 310

October - November 2008

Once the shapes were made, they were cut out and used as patterns for the ribs.

Total hours in drawing right fuselage patterns
to 85% scale, approximately 130 hours.


February 2009

These are the 1/8" Masonite fuselage ribs before mounting. (12" between each rib)

March - April 2009

These are the ribs temporarily mounted on TJI
for sizing. The tallest rib is # 13 (top of canopy)
and the cut off ribs are under the canopy.

Ribs mounted and rigged for alignment on TJI.

June - July 2009

Engine cowl mounted on TJI. Total length 33' 2."

This is a view from the left rear with the engine cowl in place.
The basic design at 85% is still about a foot longer than a
stock P-51 D.

*Total hours thus far - 290 hours