A group of British enthusiasts is testing demand to resume production of an all-composite Spitfire fighter for the GA market. It’s a resumption because the original manufacturer Supermarine actually built a couple of prototypes of the famous fighter out of a kind of plastic known as Gordon Aerolight in 1940 as an alternative to scarce aircraft aluminum. The Great British Supermarine Ltd. has built a composite static display model it plans to show at about a dozen airshows in the U.K. and may produce tandem seat experimental kits if it finds a market. The new aircraft would keep the classic lines of the original aircraft, which first flew 90 years ago and went on to contend with the P-51 Mustang as the best fighter of the Second World War. In addition to the plastic shell, it would have a host of modern upgrades.
“The moment is right to reimagine the Supermarine Spitfire because today’s materials, propulsion, and digital engineering finally let us evolve an icon without losing what made it exceptional,” GBSL CEO Jeremy Meeson told a news conference at the unveiling of the model. “This design stays true to its 1940s lineage—lightweight performance, balance, and pilot connection—while introducing advanced composites, modern power systems, and intelligent avionics.” The engine planned for the aircraft has not been revealed. The company hopes to have a flying prototype in less than three years.
In my opinion, the Spitfire is still the most beautiful aircraft ever flown. I wish I had a million dollars… although like everything else, the final cost would be much higher (in dollars and more… my marriage, etc.)
I’ve only been to ‘Oshkosh’ once. As a recently soloed (on my 16th birthday) kid, I attended the 1971 fly-in. My CFI was entered in the aerobatic competition at Fond du Lac and I was his pit crew for him and the Pitts S1. We had some spare time to visit the fly-in and strolling around the warbird area, I encountered a Spitfire… immaculate and beautiful. The pilot was busy working around the cockpit area and in a goggle-eyed trance, I gently caressed the elevator. The next thing I heard was “Get your G** D*** hands off my airplane!!”… and so I did, quickly. I held up both hands as if I were being mugged, mumbled “sorry, sorry, sorry” and walked away. I think I remember the name of the owner/pilot, but I won’t mention it in case I’m incorrect and he’s still living and reading this column.
Anyway, regardless, the Spitfire is still my favorite airplane… and yes, I realize I shouldn’t have touched. Again, I was in a trance…
A 3/4 scale kit might have a good market similar to a Van’s aircraft. As a full scale replica the market would shrink immensely — maybe a couple of dozen or so for well heeled folks.
There was, or maybe is still, a company at a small grass strip in middle Tennessee, who’s name I now forget, producing kits of scaled down P-51s and other types. Used to see them around here frequently.
Whatever happened to that company that was making all-metal ~80% replica Spitfire kits powered by GM V6/V8 engines? They even licensed the Supermarine brand name and got to semi-officially designate their airplanes as the Spitfire “Mk.25” and “Mk.26″… They certainly looked beautiful in photos and videos. (I don’t think I ever saw one in person). The numbers (weight, speed…) are all pretty close to an RV-6/7/8 except for apparently needing a lot more horses.
Their domain seems to no longer be active. I wonder how many were made and when the company closed up shop. Hopefully the drawings and tooling and so on are not lost for ever.
https://www.pilotmix.com/spitfire-mk26b