Are there many replica Spitfires?

[Simonk]

I was reading the tragic news story of the pilot who died following his spitfire crash in July this year. I assumed this was one of the few surviving Spitfires, but it described it as a 'replica'.

I then did some searches and was very surprised to find there are at least two companies manufacturing these today. One produces a full size replica 'model' for display purposes only and another produces kits to make an airworthy version.

The press article also mentioned that another pilot died in a replica Spitfire crash in 2023.

I'm amazed that these are being produced and wonder if these are the ones we sometimes see in wartime TV dramas/films, albeit as background aircraft. I wonder how many more airworthy replicas there are?

[HARRY THE MOLE]

I couldn't put a number on it, but there are quite a few - although only a handful are full size.

cheers,
Steve

[The Devil's Bank]

There a few replicas about, I remember one at Duxford a while back and where you could sit in it and get your photo taken.

Some of the "old gate guardians" have been replaced with replicas when funds have been available to do this.

I don't know how much replicas cost, but I imagine they would cost a good few thousand, but much cheaper than a original Spitty.

I was at a local museum near Ellesmere Port a few weeks ago, and they had a replica Spitfire on show there.

As for why Spitfire's are crashing, is it pilot error?

I'm sure the rules and safety certificates for these planes are very strict by todays standards.

[Watchdog]

I don't think the recent crash was a replica. It was one of the RAF BBMF aircraft and the pilot was a serving RAF officer on the strength of the BBMF. The crash resulted in the grounding of the BBMF Merlin powered aircraft which is why they did not participate in the Kings Birthday fly past. You can be sure their maintenance standards are the highest in the world but we shall have to wait for the investigation result to be published.

As for replicas I know they exist but other than that I'm not sure.
Nobody really wants to see anything other than an original at shows etc.

Regards

Mark

[HARRY THE MOLE]

Further to the Spitfire crash... the most recent was on July 28th when a replica flown by a 71 year old man crashed. The BBMF Spitfire crashed in May shortly after take-off and resulted in the death of the pilot. The pilot suffered engine failure, and rumour has it that the pilot tried to return to RAF Coningsby. This is a very risky manoeuvre to carry out, as attempting to turn the aircraft around with a failed engine results in even more loss of speed. The usual procedure is to carry straight on and attempt to land as quickly as possible. Perhaps the pilot was trying to save the aircraft?

As far as I am aware, only one full size flying replica of the Spitfire has ever been made... an exact copy of the prototype Spitfire. All other full size replica's are either of the survivors used in the Battle of Britain film, ore full size fibreglass replicas made to replace gate guardians - or for private customers. Kits are available to build semi-scale flying replicas, usually about 3/4 scale - or just slightly more. There is a company that also makes Hawker Hurricanes - in my opinion a better aircraft than the spitfire - and also replicas of the Bf 109. They can even be fitted out with replica cockpits, with all instrumentation.

Cheers,
Steve