FULL-SIZE SPITFIRE HOMEBUILT

Air Classics, Nov 2004 by O'Leary, Michael

Interesting Arizona project

From a distance, the Spitfire looks quite convincing, but Bob DeFord's Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX is actually a full-size homebuilt! Detailed construction plans were done by well-known French homebuilder and designer Marcel Jurca. Designated MJ100, the aircraft has wooden wings while the fuselage is built up from steel tubing and then covered with aluminum skins. Bob, a retired Northwest Airlines captain, is an exceptional craftsman and the airplane has a beautiful finish. Power comes from an Allison V-1710 fitted with DC-3 blades. Operating out of Prescott, Bob has already attended numerous airshows in the craft and reports that it has excellent handling characteristics.