THE SPITFIRE

 
 

A message from SUPERMARINE AIRCRAFT CEO Mike O'Sullivan

I wish to extend a very big thank you to all our customers that have supported SUPERMARINE AIRCRAFT over the last seventeen years in business with over eighty kits in every continent on the globe and to date their are over five and half thousand hours on our MK25(75%),MK26(80%), and MK26B(90%) SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE'S. Thanks you to the people that continue to purchase our products even though we are at opposite end of the world. It give us great confidence in today's market to continue to grow and keep setting new boundaries in our product quality

Now is a great time to buy with the low Aussie dollar!

 

FUN MK26B V6S/C

From Kit stage to complete and flying in eight month you can do this to!

SMA V8 MK26B

Are you looking for a high performance plane with the prestige of any warbird with out the outrages costs? Are you looking for a project where you do not have to waist your time running around looking for parts? Do you want to flying to an air show and be the talk of the town. Then this Kit is for you!

 

ABOUT THE MODERN SPITFIRE BACKGROUND | FEATURES

Michael (Mike) O’Sullivan’s Supermarine Aircraft Factory officially began its life in the kit aircraft manufacturing business in 1995, although the original idea is much older. It has been the dream of countless aviators since the end of the Second World War to build and fly a Spitfire.

The Spitfire is arguably one of the most famous fighters of the Second World War. It was loved by all for its smooth lines and gracefulness in the sky.

Spitfires have not been produced since 1948 due to the complexity of the design and this makes it very difficult to replicate the original aircraft. The ‘Hangar talk’ at the time suggested that it was simply not possible to make a metal, reduced scale, Spitfire although it seems the only reason that it could not be done was because no one had done it!! This was all the incentive Mike needed, so in his garage at home he set about making the impossible.

 

Even with over 30 years of hands on experience building and maintaining aircraft it still took over seven years to develop the innovative procedures and manufacturing techniques required to make the first all metal replica Spifire. His hard work and determination eventually paid off in when in November 1994 the first all metal metal replica Spitfire in the world took to the skies over Queensland. It has since flown to airshows and ‘fly-ins’ around Australia and thanks to Mike’s efforts it now means that homebuilders world wide can now buy a Spitfire kit that is fast and easy to build. With 700 hours of construction work already completed the kit is shipped to customers factory jigged and with all major components formed.

The Mk26 and Mk26b are now well proven designs with all aluminium components pre-drilled and precision cut using a computer cotrolled CNC router cutter. This keeps parts standards consistent and accurate, a far cry from the original Spitfires construction methods. The main structural sections of the aircraft are pre-built in factory jigs thus ensuring the highest possible accuracy of these critical components. The method of construction is aimed at the average person who is good with their hands.

For further information contact us, via our website ,at our factory in Brisbane Queensland. If you are in our area and would like to visit please phone us on (07)32029619

 

 

 

 

 

Mk26B at NATFLY 2007. Awarded best

auto engine conversion.

                        

Sunset over NATFLY 2007

 

BACKGROUND

After many years of development by Mike O' Sullivan, the approximately 80% and 90% scale Supermarine Aircraft Mk 26 Spitfires are now in production for the Australian and export markets as Kit built Aircraft.
Supermarine Aircraft Kits are not produced in high volume. The smaller number of kits ensures a high product standard and excellent builder support. Staying close to the original unmistakable Spitfire lines, the new aircraft are two-seater versions of the proven Mk 25.

Flying the Mk26b Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a very pilot friendly sports aircraft. It is suitable for first time pilots. You do not need to have a military aviation background to fly this aircraft. Our Spitfire handles itself as gracefully as the original Spit.

Engineering Acceptance
The Spitfire has approval from the P.F.A for our Kits to be built and flown in the UK.

We also have approval from authorities in South Africa, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and of course Australia.

Sales
Supermarine Aircraft is selling Spitfires worldwide.
We have 35+ aircraft now flying world wide including Australia, South Africa, Canada, US and UK
There are at present in excess of 40 kits either being built or in production at the factory with demand steadily increasing.

Delivery
From time of order there is usually a delivery time of approx 6 mths. For further information see 'Price & Crating'.

                Please note: delivery time may vary due to volume of orders.

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FEATURES OF THE Mk26b

Cockpit
The passenger seat is tandem in arrangement.
The Cockpit has a sliding “bubble” canopy and the adaptable instrument panel backplate allows the builder to fit an individual layout to suit their preference.

Controls
The control column has a “spade” grip similar to that found on the original fighter Flaps are dual using electro-mechanical actuators
Both the Rudder/Brake pedals and the pilot seat are adjustable for individual pilot comfort.
The Rudder is cable operated
Both the Ailerons and Elevators controls use push rods
Trim adjustment is cable controlled

Undercarriage
The Landing gear is retractable (electro-mechanical) and gas-strut assisted. An emergency release for landing gear can be initiated by the pilot The wheels can be individually activated and use a similar locking system to the original Spitfire physical “tell tail” pins which rise up on the wings to indicate leg position are standard in the kit. Undercarriage warning lights can also be added.
The six-inch wheel rims are custom made to match the original Spitfire looks and dual caliper disc brakes are used in combination with fully adjustable pedal controls.

Fuel System
The fuel tank is forward of the pilot and behind the engine as original. Volume is 115 litres. A fuel level sight gauge is mounted on the instrument panel.
The Spitfire also has a wing tank option available Thisl increases fuel volume by approx 140Ltrs.

Flaps
Dual Electro-mechanical operation. Fully variable position.

Trim
Cable operated with adjustable stops.

Pilot Seat
Seat & pedals fully adjustable to suit the pilot.

Airflow
Adjustable fresh air outlets for both pilot and passenger via outside airscoops.

After Market Options

• A fighter type rearview mirror on windscreen.
• Underbelly scoop

• Second Stick option, (Mk26B only)

For construction notes click here

 

ENGINEERS STATEMENT

The Mk 26 and Mk26b with V6 Auto engine has been allocated 810Kg gross weight, with two pilots and full fuel
At 810Kg it will comply with FAR 23 "Utility Category"
As the first steps in justifying the structure for "Utility Category" the following tests have been completed:

Outer Wing Panels - Tested to 6.6g with no damage

Wing center section - Tested to 6.6g with no damage

Horizontal Tailplane - Tested to 6.6g with no damage

Engine Mount, Front and Rear Fuselage - Tested to 6.6g with no damage



Engineer Mike Burns overseeing Wing Center Section load Test to 6.6g

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Copyright © 2003 Supermarine Aircraft - This page last modified12 September 2007- Site Construction by Cirrus Web Solutions