Want to see 87% warbirds using the P & W R-985 "Wasp Jr." 450 HP radial engine?

[Matt Gonitzke]

Well then what does the 87% refer to if not one of area or volume? My point of course is that anywhere near 87% of the prototype is going to be a large aircraft.

Linear dimensions. Length, height, and wingspan.

[CDS]

I am in the process of planning to introduce 87% kits of the T-28 "Trojan" military trainer, using the P & W 450 HP "Wasp Jr." radial engine (same as used in the PT-17 Stearman and Dehavilland Beaver), in composite form. That will be followed by the F4U Corsair, Sea Fury, FW-190 Focke Wulf, Japanese Zero, AT-6 "Texan", and others. This is kind of a market survey. Any ideas on how popular these might be? The R-985 can be had for around $43,000, and, apparently, are readily available. I will try to have the first T-28, even if not flyable yet, at Oshkosh next year. Any input would be appreciated.

Here's a link to an 82% Corsair, also using the R-985:

http://www.corsair82.com/

[bdk]

What do you have going for you that others who have tried this in the past didn't? With few exceptions, all have failed the test of time. Either the market wasn't there or they had some serious technical issues.

Automotive engine conversions also have a terrible track record. I like the idea of the 985 or Russian radial over an auto conversion.

Some of them look better than others as well.

Thunder Wings
War Aircraft Replicas
Jurca
Papa 51
Titan
Fighter Escort Wings
Venture
Cameron
Stewart
Loehle
Campbell/Supermarine
???????

And of course there are some one-off examples.

Personally, I don't think the T-28 is a good choice for a replica.

[bigdog]

Take a look at the Radial Rocket and Murphy Moose. Both great aircraft introduced using the M-14P but now using flat 6 cyl engines. You have a very small niche market who like/want radials whether in a replica or new design.

I'm working on a 75% Corsair design using an M-14P. It's my dream project because I love the Corsair. I may not live long enough to actually get it built but if I do I have no illusions of being able to market it - at least not to make any money from it.

[Bob Dingley]

Don't get me wrong, anything with an R-985 on the front or mounted on the wings is a great machine!

I checked and 87% of a T-28 would weigh in at over 5,500 pounds, and an 87% Corsair would be over 7,500 pounds - pretty serious airplane tonnage! For reference, a Beech 18 with 2 R-985's weighs in at around 6,500 pounds...

There was an article on a 87% Stuka in a 1964 issue of SA. The builder was from MS. I later saw him do an aerobatic show at NAS Pensacola. Fantastic flyer. It was powered by a 4 cyl Lyc.

[warbabies46]

There was an article on a 87% Stuka in a 1964 issue of SA. The builder was from MS. I later saw him do an aerobatic show at NAS Pensacola. Fantastic flyer. It was powered by a 4 cyl Lyc.

About those auto conversions, Titan Aircraft is having quite the success with the Suzuki and Honda V6 conversions in their T51 kits. I have not heard any reports from the Supermarine builders but the GM LS V8 they use is doing quite well also according to designer and owner of Supermarine.

The Market would be larger if the costs for the Replicas could be brought to within affordable, most pilots that want to be the next Ace can only afford the 20 to 70g range and that does impact the market availability for kit makers not to mention the performance capability. What with the ever expanding costs of everything, it will keep the average pilot flying Pipers and Cessna's and turning them into P51's and Corsairs in their minds.

JMHO and .02$ worth

That Stuka is now in Maine I think or somewhere in the Northwest. Another was built but crashed from not refueling the tanks before flying.