The author's replica Spitfire taking shape at his Swindon workshop in 1982.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

The Swindon workshop in July 1984, with "K5054" looking more like the real thing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

Peter Thorn, son of A.V. Roe’s former chief test pilot, seconds from lifting "K5054" into the air for the first time - June 7, 1991.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

Left, a row of happy faces. From left to right: project inspector Len Morris, designer Ray Hilborne, the author, and test pilot Pete Thorn.
Right, the author assisting Pete Thorn with his harness before the Spitfire’s first flight, on June 7, 1991.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

G-BRDV "K5054" airborne in April 1992. The wooden replica tips the scales at 2,500lb, about half the weight of the original.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

Clive DuCros starting his all-wooden replica prototype Spitfire “K5054" for the first time at Hullavington on February 13, 1990. Designed by Ray Hilborne and fitted with a geared 350 h.p. Jaguar V-12 engine, the aircraft tips the scales at 2,500 lb, about half that of the original. The project has taken 8yr to come to fruition. The special reduction gearbox took a long time to perfect, and was the most expensive single item in the whole project.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

“K5054” awaiting final inspection outside its RAF Hullavington hangar on June 6, 1991, the day before the first flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936