JURCA MJ-7 "BABY MUSTANG"

JURCA MJ-7 “BABY MUSTANG”

Plane & Pilot

Friday, May 01, 2009 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: Omar Filipović

Key Takeaways:

Designer Marcel Jurca created scaled-down replicas of World War II fighter planes, such as the P-51 Mustang, Spitfire, and FW-190, to make them accessible for sportplane homebuilding.
The "Baby Mustang" is a 2/3 or 3/4 scale P-51 that closely mimics the original's appearance, with its smaller size primarily evident only by the relative size of the pilot's head.
Constructed from wood and fabric, these homebuilt aircraft offer engine flexibility, with options ranging from the original 200-hp Ranger to other inline engines like the Menasco, Gipsy Major, or Buick F-58.

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Sportplane enthusiasts have always shown an interest in building replicas of fighter planes. Unlike planes from World War I, World War II ships have been difficult to re-create due to their massive engines, complex metal structure, and sheer size. To facilitate homebuilding, designer Marcel Jurca created scaleddown versions of the P-51 Mustang, the Supermarine Spitfire, and the Focke-Wulf FW-190. The Mustang was designed in 2/3 or 3/4 scale. Only the relative size of a pilot’s head identifies the baby P-51 from its bigger ancestor. The ship first flew with a 200-hp Ranger inline engine. Other engines that can be used include: any of the six-cylinder Rangers, the 125-hp Menasco, the 130-hp Gipsy Major, the 125- to 160-hp Canadian Rambler, or the General Motors Buick F-58. Materials used are wood and fabric.