Supermarine Aircraft
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Cisco, Texas, USA |
| Key people | Mike O¹Sullivan (CEO and Founder) John McCarron |
| Products | Aircraft kits |
| Website | www.supermarineaircraft.com |
Supermarine Aircraft is a specialist aircraft kit manufacturer founded in Brisbane, Australia, and currently based in Cisco, Texas, USA. Founded by Mike O¹Sullivan and his business partner John McCarron the company manufactures the Supermarine Spitfire Mk 26 which is supplied in kit form and is the only all aluminium reproduction Supermarine Spitfire in production. The company slogan is The Legend Lives On.[1][2]
History
Since it was founded in 1995[3] over five million Australian dollars have been spent on research and development.[1] Pilot and aviation engineer O'Sullivan, who grew up on a cattle station in Queensland, had always wanted a Spitfire and originally built one for his own use in 1991 which generated a lot of interest. After flying the 75-hp, Rotax-powered prototype in 1994, he was joined by business partner McCarron to produce 'home assembly' aircraft kits.[4]
After experimenting with Rotax engined prototypes, they progressed to a Jabiru engine and worked up from the 80-hp Jabiru 2200 to a 100-hp version and the current 200-hp model.[4] After seven years of development the company was able to secure approval for the type in the UK.[5] The company now have Supermarine aircraft approved and flying in many countries and have sold over 92 Spitfires.[6]
The aircraft was reviewed by the Australian Ultralight Federation in 2001. It was approved as meeting Australian rules for kit-built aircraft.[7] Supermarine began promoting the kit plane to the US market in 2004.[8]
The aim was to produce an 'all-Australian' aircraft but the constant-speed, four-blade propeller is actually produced by a specialist firm in New Zealand.[4]
Production models
The result is the Supermarine Spitfire Mk 26 which is supplied in kit form and is 80% the size of the original and the Supermarine Spitfire Mk 26B which is 90% scale.[1] The Spitfire kit is produced in aviation grade aluminium using the latest precision engineering computer controlled CNC router cutter to ensure accuracy and has the same power-to-weight ratio as the original.[6] A single-seater was produced called the Mk 25. With electric landing gear and flaps, early models were powered by an eight-cylinder, 200-hp Jabiru engines made in Australia. More recently the company has introduced a V6 Isuzu engine conversion, producing 260HP or 320HP with supercharger, as well as a V8 auto conversion producing 430HP.[4]
Move to USA
In 2008, CEO Mike O¹Sullivan was approached by a commercial attaché from the US Embassy in Canberra and offered grants and tax breaks to relocate to the USA. The company is now based in Cisco, Texas.[9]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Supermarine Aircraft". Supermarine Aircraft. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
- ↑ Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 121. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ↑ Pilotfriend.com - Supermarine Spitfire Mk 26 Retrieved: 18 August 2009]
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Supermarine Spitfire Mk 26". Retrieved 2009-08-17.
- ↑ Light Aircraft Association - Approved aircraft list Retrieved: 18 August 2009
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Reports & Articles". National Historical Machinery Association (Australia). Retrieved 2009-08-17.
- ↑ "AMATEUR BUILT ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT - CAO 95.55 PARA 1.5, MAJOR PORTION RULE, ELIGIBLE AIRCRAFT KIT LISTING" (pdf). Australian Ultralight Federation. 2001-07-04. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
- ↑ "Spitfire Reborn as Thoroughbred Experimental". Aero-News Network. 2004-04-16. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
- ↑ "A new generation of Spitfires takes to the air". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
External links
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