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.

 

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015: Exhibitors - T-Time

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience continues our coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015 exhibitors with a tribute to those beginning with T, with several aircraft makers including the giant Textron.  We also seem to have an emphasis on turboprops!  

TBM Daher   

Since 1990, the TBM 700 line has been setting new standards in single-engine, pressurized turboprop aircraft.  Since then, the TBM 850 and 900 models have offered improvements based on customer input.  The jet-like performance of the aircraft has made this aircraft popular for civilian and military use world-wide.

Tecnam Aircraft
   
This Italian company has been manufacturing aircraft since 1948.  The current line of light sport and light twin aircraft were featured at the exhibit, including the P2010, Astore and the P2006 twin.  There are six dealers and additional maintenance facilities in the U.S. with many more world-wide. 

 

Textron

Aerospace giant Textron has a large portfolio of companies, including the legendary Beechcraft, Cessna, Bell Helicopter, Hawker and Lycoming brands.  Also included are  businesses in the ground support, defense and intelligence and training fields.  Aircraft on display were from the Cessna and Beechcraft families.

Titan Aircraft

Titan Aircraft produces the Tornado light sport aircraft and the T-51 scale-down replica of the P-51 Mustang.  Several T-51Ds were on display and flying during the week, and at a short distance they are very convincing!

Turbine Solution Group

Since 1996, Turbine Solution Group has been offering turbine maintenance and conversion for a variety of airframes.  The RV-10 and Zenith Super Cruzer conversions were on display at the exhibit.