Welcome to SOS Eisberg
Welcome to my website, devoted to aircraft building. What you’re about to see on this site are the two aircraft that I am building at the moment. You can have a small inside look of how it’s done and what takes to do a project like this. Next to this you can read about the historical background of both airplanes.
Although my day to day job has to do everything with modern air transportation, my main interest in aviation lies in the era before 1945. A lot of development took place in this period, all over the world. However, my field is mainly German aviation history from its earliest beginnings, including the era from WW I until the end of WW II.
As you will see my first project is not German at all: it is a P-51 D Mustang, not to the original size, but 70 percent. For one simple reason: I wanted to have a WW II fighter replica, but it must fit two persons. The only fighter that doesn’t loose its beauty in the two seat version is the P-51 D.
My second, and main, project is a full-scale Klemm L-25, one of the very first light aircraft in the world, and intended as a people’s plane.
Its designer, Hanns Klemm, was absolutely not interested in designing and building military aircraft - although the Klemm Kl. 35 later on was widely used as a primary trainer for the Luftwaffe. It was his dream to give every person in the world the possibility to enjoy the beauty of flying. Something I fully agree with, being pilot myself.
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Since october 5, 2010, I am allowed to work with the Stewart Systems Waterborne Fabric Covering and Finishing system, according to F.A.A. and French law. I have two more team members who are also certified, and we are the first three people in Holland licensed to use it. This means that we are allowed to cover your aircraft as well with this system. Please do realize that so far the trade of covering aircraft with fabric was not a licensed job anywhere, although finishing aircraft with fabric is one of the oldest trades in aviation! Starting summer 2011 we may accept third party projects. Prices will be made on project basis.
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I always saw the SAL Mustang as my tutorial project: it is well documented, and there are clear drawings of all the parts necessary to build the aircraft. Being halfway with this project, I decided to shelf it, in order to make room for building the Klemm. September this year, I decided to put the Mustang project up for sale as it is now, or in future in any further finished state. If you’re interested in making an offer, go ahead, but only serious offers will be taken into consideration.
I am trying to move my activities more and more to the era of the 1920’s and 30’s: not so many aircraft of this period are still flying, but so many beautiful and innovative designs have been made in this period. I guess that for many people World War II has put this period in its shades…
For the moment all my effort lies into finishing the Klemm, which is over 50% ready by now. In the meantime I am thinking already about a next project, but I have not made a decision yet. It’ll depend also whether I’ll first finish the Mustang myself or not...
I noticed that I received quite a lot of visitors to my website. I am really glad with all your visits. For those of you who are little more familiar with aviation: the aircraft I am building are licensed to fly in the so-called Experimental Category, also known as “home build”. Yes, it is possible and legally allowed to build and fly your own aircraft. Take a look at the “link section” of my site for websites with more information about it.
Beware that by looking at my aircraft projects, you are running the risk of getting inspired yourself. Great! I’d love that! However, once you get hooked on building your own aircraft, it will not leave you alone anymore; it gets under your skin... Everybody having a little manual skill can do most of the work him- or herself, leaving only a few parts that you might not be able to build yourselves. On the other hand, you can buy yourself a complete kit, which might save you a lot of time, and work. Building is a lot of fun, and I can tell you it is more than satisfying to see the project grow under your hands. But before you decide to start building an aircraft, to realise that it takes a lot of devotion, time, patience, precision, moments of loneliness and frustration, and a lot of understanding and support from your family. If you manage to overcome all these things, the reward and joy at the end are unbeatable!
For readers who are also building, or planning to start a project themselves, I do realise that my website might be a source of inspiration, guidance or help.
Please, do realise that my website is not intended as a full Instruction Manual of “how to do it all”. (Read the disclaimer!). I only try to give you an inside view of what it is to build your own aircraft, by taking you through all the different phases of the building process, and give some explanation how I do it. Some parts are very much into detail, while for other parts I will not give you all the information you might find necessary...
The process of designing, calculating and getting the aircraft certified to fly is another thing I am not going to discuss, nor explain, on this website. Be aware that certification processes might differ for many counties. On the other hand, later on I will take you through the process of flight testing, and give you literally a look over my shoulder...
In future, I hope to be able to add a section to my website with pictures, stories and videos about how it is to fly these airplanes. I wish you a lot of fun reading my site, and please visit me every once in a while to follow my progress.
