FK-Light Planes Has Made The First Test Flight of A True-To-Original Scaled-Down Replica Of The P-51 Mustang Called The SW51

It’s not unusual to see large airplanes scaled-down and certified as experimental aircraft for the purpose of recreational flying. There are already a few examples of the legendary P-51 Mustang being reduced in size and performance to address the “inner Walter Mitty” hidden within our psyche. However, the SW51 Mustang to be produced by the Polish FK-Light Planes Company raises the bar on the term, “scaled-down.”

The SW51 made its first flight last month and is the product of two companies that joined forces. The ScaleWings AeroTec GmbH in Strasswalchen, Austria, actually designed this stunning scale version of the P-51, while it will be produced and marketed by FK-Light Planes. FK has a record of producing a fine line of recreational aircraft, some of which are sold in the United States as special light sport airplanes. The entire FK line of airplanes has always been designated as “FK” models, but in a YouTube video posted of the SW51 first flight, FK CEO, Roland Hallam, said they were using the SW designation in honor of ScaleWings.

The SW51 is an absolute true-to-original replica of the legendary P-51 Mustang. There are thousands of details like the rivets, screws, metal sheet joints, and surface details of the original P-51on the new SW51. The SW51 will be produced in a complex but extremely strong carbon-honeycomb construction that will assure lightweight construction with maximum strength.

The SW 51 Mustang is referred to on both the ScaleWings and FK website as an ultralight because it will originally be produced for the European market where that definition allows the maximum weight to be 1,048 pounds. The aircraft will be capable of carrying 2 people with dual controls and have a maximum speed of 229 miles per hour. It will have an in-flight controllable pitch prop and retractable landing gear. It’s also stressed for aerobatic maneuvers. All of this performance is to be achieved with the Rotax 912 series engine.

Both websites listed numerous features which go far beyond the more typical reduced-sized replica airplane. There is even a plan to produce the sound of the P-51 Mustang through a sound system to generate the original Merlin powered Mustang sound in the SW51 Mustang. This device will be controlled by the engine throttle to create the Merlin sound from starting the engine, through acceleration, and even the sound of stopping the engine.

The websites also indicate the weight can be increased for the purpose of meeting the U.S. S-LSA certification standards, but they do not explain how the aircraft would be modified to comply with performance restrictions and the issue of retractable gear and in-flight adjustable propeller. No U.S. Dollar price has been shown for the aircraft, and it also appears this will be strictly a factory built airplane.

(Image from the FK-Light Planes website)

FMI: www.fk-lightplanes.com/