With the success of the MK25 single seat the demand for a two seat spitfire that looked like a single drove Mike O’Sullivan to build the MK26 80% Spitfire in the early 90s.

A two-seat Spitfire built as a kit by Australian Mike O’Sullivan, retaining the single seat canopy and the passenger seat is placed where the radio rack would be in the original WW II aircraft. The passenger’s legs will be on either side of the pilot’s seat when inside. In lieu of a passenger, the space can be occupied by up to 90 kg of baggage. The overall scale is 80 per cent. Features such as the sliding bubble canopy, drop down doors and vertically oriented oval control stick are all there. The kit is of all aluminium construction other than a couple of fibreglass fairings. All major structural components have been finished by Supermarine Aircraft. The factory completes about 700 hours of work and the owner is estimated to have about 1200 hours of work remaining to complete the aircraft. Powered by the eight cylinder Jabiru of 200 horsepower

It’s a two-seater, complete with elliptical Spitfire wings, removable and are of aluminium with stressed skin construction.

This aircraft has been superseded by the MK26B 90% Spitfire.

With the success of the MK25 and the MK26, the idea was hatched in mid 2004 to produce 90% spitfire due to the demand from customers.

The design of the MK26B Spitfire is to keep the kits simple and the build time down so that the builders can get the aircraft flying in less that a year. The prototype took just over 8 months to complete with all the tooling, cad drawings and setting up for production.

The MK26B is designed to house our V6 and V8 engine with out any modifications. It also has under wing radiators as an option which gives it that final touch.

The Mk26 and Mk26b are now well proven designs with all aluminium components pre-drilled and precision cut using a computer cotrolled CNC router cutter. This keeps parts standards consistent and accurate, a far cry from the original Spitfires construction methods. The main structural sections of the aircraft are pre-built in factory jigs thus ensuring the highest possible accuracy of these critical components. The method of construction is aimed at the average person who is good with their hands.

The Mk.26B fuselage is two seat and features a stainless steel firewall, monoque construction of aircraft grade aluminium, aircraft grade rivets, paints dimpled and riveted ready for fix out of internals, and has a rear luggage compartment. The instrument panel and cockpit is layed out much the same as the original Spitfire, with dual electric fuel pumps, switch operated, and dual electric flap motors.

The landing gear is retractable (electro-mechanical) and gas-strut assisted. An emergency release for landing gear can be initiated by the pilot. The wheels can be individually activated and use a similar locking system to the original Spitfire physical “tell tail” pins which rise up on the wings to indicate leg position and are standard in the kit. Undercarriage warning lights can also be added.

The six-inch wheel rims are custom made to match the original Spitfire looks and dual caliper disc brakes are used in combination with fully adjustable pedal controls.

The fuel tank is forward of the pilot and behind the engine as original. Volume is 150 litres. A fuel level sight gauge is mounted on the instrument panel. The Spitfire also has a wing tank option available This increases fuel volume by approx 140Ltrs. A trim is cable operated with adjustable stops.

The pilot seat & pedals fully adjustable to suit the pilot. There are fresh air outlets for both pilot and passenger via outside air scoops.

The 90% scale two seat Mk.26B fast build kit were available and suit a V-6 260-340 hp or V8 420 hp. Load limit is +6 and –4G.

Gallery

Engine: Jabiru 8cyl 200hp
Seats: 2
Wingspan: 8.43m
Length: 7.0m
Height: 1 .85m
Wing area: 11.42 sqm
Design limits: +6 -3g
Empty weight: 380kg
MTOW: 650kg
Fuel capacity: 115 litres (91 litres useable)
Fuel burn: 30 Lt/hr
Max cruise: 150-160 kts
Vne: l80kts
Va: 120 kts
Stall: 44 kts
Initial climb: 3000 fpm
T/O roll: 330m
Ldg roll: 450m
Max endurance: 3hours

Engine: 240 hp
Cruise: 150 kts
Vne: 190 kt
TO dist: 150m
Ldg dist: 400m

Spitfire Mk26b
Stall: 42 kt / 48 mph / 78 kmh
Cruise: 160 kt / 184 mph / 296 kmh
VNE: 230 kt / 265 mph / 426 kmh
Empty Weight: 450 kg / 992 lbs
MTOW Weight: 560 kg / 1235 lbs
Climb Ratio: 2500 ft/min / 13 m/s
Take-off distance (50ft obstacle): 680 ft / 207 m
Landing distance (50ft obstacle): 1460 ft / 445 m