EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016: Experimental Aircraft - Scaled Classics

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

Experimental aircraft come in many shapes and sizes - some are rather odd looking but most are fairly conventional.  Others are scaled-down likenesses of existing military or warbird types, designed to give the owner an economical way to fly in "reasonable facsimile" of the desired aircraft.  There are three models of warbird replicas featured here - Flying Legend Italia Tucano, the Thunder Mustang, and the similar Titan T-51.

The Flying Legend Italia line of scaled replicas includes several models of the Tucano, including the LSA pictured above, and the Hawker Hurricane.  The Tucano LSA is powered by a Rotax 912 or 914 engine, and cruises at 120kts (maximum 178kts).  There are dealers around the world, with two in the U.S.

 

The Thunder Mustang and the Titan T-51 are very similar from the outside, though there are basic differences.  The Thunder Mustang seen above, with an example from Blue Thunder Racing, is made from a kit of composite materials.  The racing example, flown by John Parker, features a 640hp Falconer engine and cruises at over 300kts.   

 

The Titan T-51D and T-51B pictured below are constructed of conventional aluminum materials and powered by a Rotax 912 or 914 class engine.  The Austinburg, OH-based company has dealers throughout the U.S. and around the world.