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Dramatic moment a Spitfire lands without any wheels


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Mastermariner
Posted

 

I usually lose mine when landing.

 

 

Master

Guest deleted@50488
Posted

Itr's an ULM, not a true Spit ;-)

6./ZG26_5tuka
Posted

Belly landings aren't too bad if executed properly. Loo at the speed he touched down, it's probably put not more stress on the airframe than a hard landing with gear.

 

Biggest concern would be the engine, though as jcomm implied it isn't a real (but still quite beautyfull) spit so replacements should be of no concern.

II/JG17_HerrMurf
Posted (edited)

80% Spitfire Mk 26. It's a very nice homebuilt.

 

Agree with 5tuka; gonna need an engine overhaul, prop and a small amount of sheetmetal work. Excellent piloting on that one. Fortunate he had a heck of a headwind to play with. You can hear it in the recording too. It really cut down on his ground speed for approach and touchdown.

Edited by [TBC]HerrMurf
6./ZG26_Emil
Posted

Fugly and no loss

Posted (edited)

The lack of underwing radiators/oil cooler probably made for a smoother landing than you might expect in a real Spit in the same situation. In fact I seem to recall reading that a wheels-up landing is arguably safer on a hard runway than on grass in a Spitfire, because on grass the radiators can dig in and cause a nose over. 

Edited by AndyJWest
Posted

Fugly and no loss

 

I'd say it will be in the air again soon, after they give it a few whacks with a mallet in the hangar, wrap the worst bits up in gaffer tape and disembowel the flying club lawn mower for a new engine. Yep, she'll be good to go again. 

 

I don't know why anyone would want to fly a DIY Spitfire shaped ultralight. Asking for trouble. We had one go in just across from my place, pilot killed. 

II/JG17_HerrMurf
Posted

It is not an ultralight. Homebuilt from a kit, yes, but it is a V6 powered 220 mph aircraft with retracts and +6/-4g's.

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