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Formula F48 Air Racing: JPS Spiteful

Started by TomZ, October 25, 2020, 11:54:04 PM

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TomZ

Formula F48 Air Racing: Supermarine Spiteful



After the 1944 armistice the aircraft producers of the world had to scale down production of combat aircraft rapidly as almost all production contracts were cancelled. Besides the aircraft already in production there were also a lot of advanced prototypes meant for the next generation of fighters and bombers. All development projects were cancelled overnight.
The downscaling of all air forces flooded the market with second-hand warplanes, some of them barely used, enabling people to buy an aircraft for next to nothing. At the same time a lot of combat pilots lost their job and to find a new source of income.
Some of these pilots started buying the surplus aircraft in 1945 and organizing air races with them. This quickly became a very popular pastime drawing large spectator crowds. In 1946 the first World Pilots Championship was held consisting of 6 races which were held in different locations in the USA, Europe and Asia. This first championship was won by US pilot John Warner flying a P-51D Mustang.



Very quickly this World Pilots Championship became so popular that sponsors and aircraft manufacturers became involved. Some of the wartime prototypes and development projects were revived to compete in the races. I order to maintain a level playing field the organizers decided to freeze the technology that could be used in the races at the level of the 1st of January 1948.
The World Pilots Championship was renamed to the Formula F48 and formal rules were set up. The main rule was that aircraft had to be powered by one or more piston engine and propeller driven. Ant design, materials and engines used should be as available at the beginning of 1948.
Races were held around a 10-mile closed circuit. Spectators were positions on the outside of the circuit. Since 1955 a season consists of 12 races in 10 different countries. A maximum of 15 aircraft were allowed in each race, a qualifying event before each race deciding which aircraft could take part. In 1960 there were participants from 15 countries flying aircraft from the USA, UK, Italy, Germany, France, Japan and Sweden.



The Formula F48 races became very popular and major sponsors spent a lot of money to get their name on the aircraft. Although the rules specified that the engines used were the ones available before 1948, careful tuning managed to bring them to ever increasing output levels.

Below are the ten highest scoring aircraft in the 1980 season.













Race NumberAircraftEngineHPMax Speed
3Messerschmitt Me-109XBMW 801E2250780 kph
5Hawker FuryBristol Centaurus 2500820 kph
7
8Focke Wulf Ta-152Junkers Jumo 213E2400810 kph
13Kyushu J7W ShindenMitsubishi Ha-432500800 kph
20Messerschmitt Me-509Daimler Benz DB6032500810 kph
31Supermarine SpitefulRolls-Royce Griffon2400830 kph
44Fiat G-56Daimler Benz DB603N2500800 kph
46
362

            
TomZ
Reality is an illusion caused by an alcohol deficiency

Old Wombat

Has a life outside of What-If & wishes it would stop interfering!

"The purpose of all War is Peace" - St. Augustine

veritas ad mortus veritas est

ericr

 :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

looks like a very efficient way to re-use spare F1 decals


Dizzyfugu

Simple and effective - and the gold-chrome-esque markings looks great.  :thumbsup:

zenrat

Fred

- Can't be bothered to do the proper research and get it right.

Another ill conceived, lazily thought out, crudely executed and badly painted piece of half arsed what-if modelling muppetry from zenrat industries.

zenrat industries:  We're everywhere...for your convenience..

Tophe

[the word "realistic" hurts my heart...]

Leading Observer

LO


Observation is the most enduring of lifes pleasures

chrisonord

The dogs philosophy on life.
If you cant eat it hump it or fight it,
Pee on it and walk away!!

PR19_Kit

I'm intrigued to know which aircraft is long enough to deserve the '362' race number.  ;D
Kit's Rule 1 ) Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings, and/or a longer fuselage
Kit's Rule 2) The backstory can always be changed to suit the model

...and I'm not a closeted 'Take That' fan, I'm a REAL fan! :)

Regards
Kit

TomZ

Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 26, 2020, 06:28:23 AM
I'm intrigued to know which aircraft is long enough to deserve the '362' race number.  ;D

Patience. All ten will be revealed in due time.....

TomZ
Reality is an illusion caused by an alcohol deficiency

NARSES2

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The Rat

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Weaver

That looks gorgeous! :wub: Mind you, the black & gold JPS F1 cars were always my favorite as a kid... :mellow:
"Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot."
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