3 ms·
Pretty cool, I guess, but that puny Rotax under the engine cowling pales in comparison to the V-1650's that powered the real deal Mustangs which ran at almost 1
by nvy 2y ago
Pretty cool, I guess, but that puny Rotax under the engine cowling pales in comparison to the V-1650's that powered the real deal Mustangs which ran at almost 10x the horsepower and double the cruise speed, 50% better climb speed despite being 10x heavier, etc.
It's got comparable performance to a Cirrus SR22. Not much of a replica if you ask me.
- vkou 2y ago315 KTAS cruising speed versus 180 is indeed a bit of a difference. It's also fair to say that you probably don't want to climb into anything driven by a 'good enough for the Army'-rated engine. At least, I know I wouldn't.
- nvy 2y agoModern maintenance would be fine; just expensive. The problem with old warbirds is they're usually maintained by volunteers who cut corners.
- walrus01 2y agoOn the other hand, imagine the maintenance costs in current US dollars on a modern 12-cylinder supercharged aircraft engine. Would get ridiculous very quick.
- the__alchemist 2y agoIt is interesting how the GA planes today have a fraction of the power of WW2 planes. I understand there are valid reasons, but... it would be too cool to fly something with the original power! Also, even with modern jets: "This plane has enough power at max or mil" - said no fighter pilot ever.
- nvy 2y agoWell, the reason is that the vast majority of GA pilots could not handle the performance of a WWII fighter and would get themselves and others killed.
- jjtheblunt 2y agoWhen i was in ground school in San Diego, the instructor explained that just what you said was the reason so few p51 mustangs still exist. Folks bought them cheap as surplus, rotated (wheels off the ground), would gun the huge engine whose torque at low air speed would counterrotate the fuselage and crash.
- kortilla 2y agoNo, the reason is that GA pilots have to pay for their fuel.
- nvy 2y agoThat too, but GA pilots are notorious for overestimating their competence. The Dunning-Kruger effect is real. Doing touch-and-gos a few times a month in a C172 does not prepare one for handling high-performance fighter aircraft. I used to work in Search and Rescue and the number of GA pilots who do bone-headed things getting themselves or others killed would shock you.
- kortilla 2y agoYes, but there are already higher performance aircraft available beyond a Cessna and pilots still flock to what they can afford. There is no regulation preventing aircraft manufacturers from selling GA performance beasts. There is just not a big enough market to sell into to make it sustain a business.
- seabass-labrax 2y agoIt's not going to sound right, either - the Merlin is a very distinctive-sounding engine that is probably seared into the minds of everyone who's been to a WWII-era aircraft show. Then again, you've got nothing to fear; the Rotax engine will be fine as long as the Bf 109 replicas also have them ;)
- dsr_ 2y agoThis one has an (optional?) 2000W sound system to annoy ground crew and make enemies of the neighbors.