SW51 Mustang FK Lightplanes ScaleWings replica Mustang 

Experimental Aircraft News Magazine - FK Lightplanes/ScaleWings SW51 Makes Maiden Flight. By Dan Johnson,
 
Most replicas have to approximate some qualities but FK Lightplanes and their design partner, Austria-based ScaleWings AeroTec, made what they are now calling SW51 into something different. It has detail beyond what you can envision without seeing the construction in person.
 
The SW51 reproduces the 100,000 or so rivets and screws that put together an original World War II vintage P-51 Mustang. The work is all done in composite so those are not real screws or rivets but you'd have to be a P-51 mechanic to tell the difference, even when you put your hand on the skin to be sure your eyes are not deceiving you. SW51 is magnificent! "Every rivet row, every screw and every maintenance door matches the original plane," said creator ScaleWings. A reported 40,000 man hours have been invested.
 
Jon Hansen of Hansen Air Group said the SW 51 flew in October 2014 and the initial flight went very well. "It looks to exceed our flight expectations for it," exclaimed Jon. Because demand is already spiking, FK Lightplanes' Poland factory will be working to build about one SW51 per week.
 
Jon explained that using modern CAD manufacturing, the assembly of the components can happen fairly fast. "When the fuselage halves go together, much of the wiring and other details will already be in place," Jon explained. A European-style ultralight version will have retractable gear and in-flight adjustable prop because such is allowed under rule in the EU. "For the USA, we will be offering a Light-Sport version with fixed gear and propped to stay within the 120 knot limit of LSA," clarified Jon. Weight, all parties have said all along, will not be a problem because the design is created for sale in Europe as well where the limits are 472.5 kilograms (1,041 pounds) to include the German required airframe parachute. SW51 is also designed to accommodate aerobatic flying.
The SW51 will be produced in a complex but extremely strong carbon-honeycomb construction ... a guarantee for an extremely lightweight construction with maximum strength. [SW51] Mustang will look deceptively similar to the original Mustang in all surface details."
Peter Funk using his years of experience, Peter is responsible for the aerodynamic and static design, structure layout, dimensioning, load tests, flight tests and the certification of the SW-51 Mustang, said ScaleWings. This was a smart decision as today Peter focuses on engineering and new development after turning over manufacturing over to Rolland Hallam in Poland.
Jon Hansen told me today that he and the Poland factory expect most SW51 to sell in the USA and Jon believes they'll sell out their entire 2015 allotment in a short time. The first example in America was on display at Airventure.

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