Ross Ferguson's masterpiece first flight

scratch built 2/3 scale Spitfire flies after 20 years in the making

[@johndavey72]

It's so good it actually doesn't look out of scale. Superb!

[@maddogmorgan1]

I thought it was to scale when i first saw it

[@farnthboy]

Here's me with my model HO train set & he's got a Spitfire - damn!

[@Dave-xh9oc]

The craftsmanship looks top notch! Pretty neat to watch someone realize their dream.

[@Jester123ish]

Russ Gallagher I would sort of prefer ‘someone’, as in it is ‘neat’ to watch anyone realise their dream, the general statement is quite correct.

[@robsciuk729]

Congratulations Ross. A beautiful build.

[@liamjeffery1730]

That’s gotta be one of the best flying scale replicas I have ever seen

[@beaconrider]

It is a nice one.

[@mylakay100]

Beautiful, looks exactly like the later griffon powered spitfires! Great craftsmanship! Without a doubt, that is the best 2/3 scale spitfire I've ever seen! With the four blade prop and the large spinner it looks like a later model of the spitfire with the RR Griffon engine and the buldges above the exhaust stacks. Great plane!

[@uncledodge9396]

Great flight but a lesson for all, don't fly in the rain... your plane may shrink!

[@paladin56]

Beautiful. You've really captured the look of a Spitfire XIV. Fantastic workmanship.

[@petergibbs]

What can one say. She's lovely. Well done man. Have many happy flying hours in her.

[@johneplett3822]

I just stumbled across this video Ross and it's a true beauty. I remember when you and I were members at the EAA club at Baldwin Airport some 15 odd years back and learning of your design/build challenges. Since parting ways, I've often wondered how you made out. Absolutely stunning. Well done. Wished Red could have been around to see this.

[@Whitpusmc]

Why do 25 people dislike this? I mean well done! Simply beautiful.

[@karljames1694]

25 germans

[@Skyprince27]

Messerschmitt people. Tall people. People who prefer the Mark IX. People who would never paint a plane in a camo color scheme, but use a high-gloss paint. Who knows?

[@Biggles-gm6tm]

It's amazing what people can do when they put their mind to it. Big hand shake from across the pond to that man!

[@billnu]

Beautiful replica. Very nice proportions and sound. Great eye for details.

[@gerryvandepol7630]

Very good Ross....!!! WOW!..........All the best to you and Blanche

[@johnedwards1685]

Astonishingly lovely aircraft and a staggering exhibition of craftmanship and love. That beautiful machine loved the sky so much it didn’t want to touch down.

[@mitzyismad]

Beautiful machine and a wonderful story of just what a man can do when he sets his mind to it.

[@lardyify]

Very well done. A great looking aircraft and a good first flight!

[@TralfazConstruction]

Outstanding. Superlatives stop too short in praise of this fellow's accomplishment.

[@petegoodwin6576]

you deserve recognition for this nod to a great piece of wartime history...

[@oxcart4172]

A work of art. Thanks for posting this!

[@mickkennedy1344]

Ross, that big spinner is the cherry on the cake -- beautiful Spit.

[@raymondo162]

twenty years is pure dedication. your commitment is exemplary

[@woodrow1037]

Absolutely amazing. Thanks.

[@wyattsdad8561]

The spitfire has always been my favorite war bird. I have two Rc spitfires. Love this.

[@sonnyburnett8725]

Has to be one of the nicest paint finishes out there and no doubt the rest of the aircraft is too. Just beautiful, would love to fly it.

[@kimdickson2551]

Wow,,,wow, ! Truly a class act piece by an obviously class man. Love the Attention to every detail, the nod to a non Merlin engined model. The paint and finish! This video makes me smile , and share how well executed effort of ones dreams and desires can be fulfilled. Congarats and my compliments

[@russianreloads6937]

Oh my! That I will say is the most beautiful replica I have ever seen!! And in my favorite model of Spitfire!! As an Aircraft mechanic that holds my IA certificate I am floored by that!! I want more info on it.

[@tomcierijr.1448]

Beautiful job...I so love the spitfire

[@davidaitchison1455]

Very impressive. The proportions look great.

[@matsfreedom]

For all you kids out there, dreams do come true! They take work, though! Beautiful spitfire.

[@Michael-4]

This is superb. What a wonderful story.

[@davidparry1982]

Sounds and looks great - nice work!

[@kmiya211]

What an awesome bucket list!

[@dryflyman7121]

Who needs a mirror with paintwork like that? ! Congratulations Sir.

[@b577960]

Absolutely stunning! I love how you have opted for a Mk XIV version too. You sir are a legend!

[@bigsparky8888]

I LOVE IT...WHAT A BEAUTIFUL LOVELY BIRD...THE SMILE ON HIS FACE TOO...OH YEAH BUDDY!!!

[@stuartmcloughlin]

Stunning. Simply stunning.

[@nigel900]

Outstanding! 🫡🇺🇸👍🏻

[@inchmanor]

Beautiful, a true work of art.

[@charleschrist2313]

My father started a 3/4 scale spitfire years ago based upon an inverted ranger 6 cylinder for power. Remarried and my stepmother forbid his flying any more. The plane's parts , engine and plans were sold never to be seen again....

[@colehara]

Beautiful! Congratulations!

[@julianlockwood3040]

Nicely done .. what an achievement !

[@OlesonMD]

Very nice, a beautiful airplane!

[@rayg4360]

aeroplane !

[@joglo3]

An absolutely fantastic achievement!! I may be wrong, but it looks like someone decided to make a very sensible modification and set the U/C legs farther apart than scale, which was one cause of many Spitfire losses and a few pilot deaths.

[@davidfreed6127]

I thought the U/C legs looked a little overspread too. But, as you say, a sensible modification, particularly o a scaled down version.

[@greatlakesgliding7901]

@Russ Gallagher The BF109's undercarriage was actually attached to the fuselage, this was a design decision to allow removal of the wings while keeping her on her legs, handy for field servicing, crappy for the poor pilot.

[@MikeSowsun]

Yes, the landing gear is much farther apart than 1:1 Spitfire

[@kkiwi54]

@@greatlakesgliding7901 What a lot of people don't realise is that the undercarriage legs on a bf109 are actually wider apart than those on a Spitfire. The main problem was that they had a greater percentage of their weight behind the wheels than the Spitfire did which made them much trickier on both takeoffs and landings.

[@billhamilton2366]

This is an exact to scale replica. The cowl below the engine had to be dropped 1/8 inch. The landing gear is exactly where it would be in the full size variety....Please feel free to post a picture of YOUR scale Fighter.

[@gf4353]

A thing of beauty is a JOY. FOREVER. !!!!!

[@jamesgraham6796]

What a thing of beauty, my friend.

[@DerekHulbig]

Beautiful. Inspirational

[@tedsmith6137]

Simply beautiful!

[@fritzmuller8246]

Simply mind bending . I can't find the words . So sad that it takes most of your life to be able to achieve this sort of thing .

[@maestrori]

What a wonder full video... I event felt the rush 🙂❤️

[@emanemanrus5835]

A plane with such a shape literaly "wants" to fly! Beautiful.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

*BEAUTIFUL REPLICA!*

[@foreverdroningon]

What a beautiful aircraft. All it needs is er nothing That's all it needs . An incredible aircraft wonderful video. I wish it was parked in my back garden . Might need a bigger back garden first though......

[@davejob630]

Beautiful! Looks like a griffon engined version.

[@billhamilton2366]

MK XIV yes Griffon Engine.

[@tasospatriwtis396]

JUST ...WONTDERFUL...VERY GOOD JOB....

[@johnmaher9917]

Wot an achievement!! Well done beautiful plane:)

[@bluetopguitar1104]

Extremely well done. Wow

[@rawnukles]

That takeoff run must have had everyones heart pumping ! Very exciting

[@av8rshane491]

Beautiful Spitfire, he should let me fly it, I’m a 2/3 scale pilot.

[@SmR8008]

That looks great!😊

[@robhampton6216]

Beautiful machine.

[@PorscheGTRSWeissach]

Wow! Beautiful Plane! Looks like the real deal! ;-)

[@davidjohnlisterlister3651]

Wow what a beauty ! well done :)

[@user-qw2le9vo6o]

Awesome! Its aircraft of my dream!!!

[@dougjohnson9948]

Congratulations. Beautiful.

[@philshearer6712]

Beautiful. Excellent flight. If its at all possible it would be great to see any "making of" photos or footage. Very deserving

[@gergemall]

Beautiful

[@atmosphere95]

Beautiful 2/3 scale Mk.XIV.

[@royalmaster203]

the sound of the motor is so cool,,,,.....

[@peterwakefield915]

Some serious Rudder input on taking off, I would imagine the pilot not used to the engine torque. Looks a great aircraft. so jealous...

[@ianmyles9025]

people are amazing - well done Ross !

[@paktoysreview8377]

creative mind friend

[@noyfub]

Beautiful.

[@clint9040]

Absolutely luv it

[@keithhow3006]

What a fantastic achievement.

[@lerch122]

looks like he did a very good job

[@jsfbr]

Congratulations!

[@davidbarrett1487]

Superb.

[@pcka12]

An enormous compliment to R J Mitchell’s design genius!

[@billhamilton2366]

Mitchell was the lead designer but the Germans had been working on elliptical wings between the war. A Canadian engineer who had been working in Germany brought a lot of their technology to Supermarine before WWII and was able to provide some insight into German aerodynamics development. It was all a team effort to produce a winning plane for the Schneider trophy and the Spit.

[@pcka12]

@@billhamilton2366 does that mean that Mitchell was an able designer or not, the Spitfire was not it's elliptical wing alone, as far as I can recall none of the schneider trophy aircraft had that shape of wing?

[@Emersant]

Parabéns magnífica aeronave!

[@RV-ky1dr]

Congratulations, sir!!! I know exactly what it means...

[@jafxdwg]

I believe I saw this plane flown at Hannimanns Farm near Oshawa Ontario during an airplane fly in event way back in 2004 or 5. I know I walked with Mr. Ferguson towards the plane from the parking area and he was carrying the models of machine guns (maybe cannons ?) that he screwed on to the wings. A test pilot took the plane to the air for several passes. I think that was part of the plane's certification. I was told at that time that the engine was an aluminum Buick V6 . Maybe that was upgraded to a V8 ? In any event, anyone fortunate enough to get a close look at this plane will be taken by the extremely high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that Mr. Ferguson demonstrated with this labour of love. Thank you me Ferguson..

[@amblt1]

The plural of cannon is cannon.

[@sophiejaysstuff4026]

@@amblt1 Eat shit

[@tobyglyn]

Amazing! :)

[@octane2099]

Man what a beauty

[@AjitSingh-km4jt]

Wonderful for you to fly at your age congratulations.

[@karljames1694]

sounds beautiful on tick over even got griffon bulges on the cowl. 100% stunning well done

[@shieldaigbencher]

Looks beautiful. Sounds f-all like a Griffon engined Spit.

[@theymusthatetesla3186]

Kudos, Man!

[@endwood]

Stunning achievement ! That long in the making means there would have been some times along the way where it was never gunna be finished ! That alone is an achievement in itself to actually finish it after all that time !:-)

[@raymondo162]

zakkly what i thought. twenty years is pure commitment

[@colindouglas7769]

Well done to you, Sir! I reckon R. J. Mitchell will be looking on approvingly.

[@johnritchie4801]

Still a work of art I might add

[@billbright1755]

Honey, I shrunk the Spit.

[@kballs94]

As if it wasnt small enough already

[@Legitcar117]

jay6 it’s fun sized

[@kevatut23]

Nothing short of stunning can describe this bird. Absolutely beautiful. My only criticism would be: I would have never test-flown her without the occidental pad on the upper seat position, or barring that, a helmet.

[@cramersclassics]

Simply wonderful! Do you have a link to the build details. All of us homebuilders will want to learn more. Thank for sharing!!

[@eddiet204]

Wow! Well done sir!

[@josephdupont]

what a beauty... looks better than the real thing.

[@tiffsaver]

WOW. I'm glad his dream came true...

[@brianholden2724]

And now... time to start on the Hurricane

[@MrAlwaysBlue]

Cracking.

[@peterplaneman]

Sounds good