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AircraftReplica Spitfire MK IX
United States, experimental aircraft, self construction kit
In 1981, aircraft mechanic Henrik Bjørnaa decided to build a replica of a Spitfire Mk IXe on a 5:8 scale. The kit was supplied by Thunder Wings of Scottsdale, Arizona. It was based on fibreglass reinforced plastic further strengthened with carbon fibres. It had a 350 hp V-12 Jaguar engine, modified for use in an aircraft. The instruments and cockpit are as close to the original as possible.
In 1993, the plane was transported from Lena to Gardermoen for testing on the runway. During a speed test in August 1995, where the aircraft had to reach a speed high enough to lift the tail wheel from the ground, a sudden gust of wind caused the whole aircraft to take off. The accelerator was pulled back, probably a little too quickly, the plane lost elevation under the right wing, the right wheel hit the ground and broke, and an accident was unavoidable. Afterwards, the Civil Aviation Authority demanded such extensive examination and control of the aircraft that it was not worthwhile repairing it.
Henrik Bjørnaa handed over the plane to the Aviation Museum in 1996, where it is exhibited as an example of a home-made replica kit. The plane has been given the same markings as the Museum's original Supermarine Spitfire was marked with on 10.05.45, AH-V.
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