Here's a link to an 82% Corsair, also using the R-985:
http://www.corsair82.com/
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.
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.
Regards,
Greg Young
1950 Navion N5221K
RV-6 N6GY - first flight 5/16/2021
1940 Rearwin Cloudster in work
4 L-2 projects on deck
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.