The purpose of S.O.A.R. is to establish an organization dedicated to restore, in flying condition, combat aircraft of all countries, to exhibt such aircraft in air shows, and meets and to maintain these aircraft as a tribute to our aviation heritage.
S.O.A.R. is a non-profit corporation that constructs fighter planes of the World War 2 period so that people today can experience the sights and sounds of a bygone era of aviation history that existed fifty years ago. The ME-109 is their first project in a series of aircraft of the period.
Noticing how very few ME-109 fighter planes survived World War 2, despite the fact that over 33,000 were built, S.O.A.R. decided it was time to rectify the situation by building their own.
Although the replica has the same dimensions as the original, as well as mostly original instruments, it is constructed mainly of wood and aluminum. Designer, Marcel Jurca of France drew up the plans for the plane. While it is the only aircraft of this type being built in the United States, two more are under construction in France, as well as one in Germany at the present time
Retired Grumman employees are building the ME-109, with work divided among specialists in mechanics, hydraulics, armaments and part fabrication. Parts are copied from the originals, when at all possible. The group acquired an original seat, using this as a pattern. They hand-crafted three duplicated Aluminum seats just like the original. Rudder pedals were also duplicated into three sets. These spare parts will be sold to others constructing replica ME-109 aircraft, to help with the funding of the project.
The engine installed is an inverted V-12 Ranger Engine of 770 H.P. While an original Daimler-Benz engine would be ideal, to refurbish an original would cost several hundred thousand dollars, as the few remaining available are mostly rusted and incomplete, taken from wrecks pulled out of the Russian woodlands.
Construction costs will exceed six figures by the time the plane is flying, hopefully by the end of the year. Due to the high cost of the project, sponsors are being sought at the present time. The ground support trailers, crew jackets and caps will be adorned with sponsor names for advertising purposes.
S.O.A.R. is also interested in obtaining information on original ME-109 parts in any condition, as well as drawings, books and pictures. Their fax number is 1.516.543.3420.
S.O.A.R. publishes a newsletter six times a year. This has updates of the project, as well as listings of other warbird projects.
The next aircraft to be constructed will probably be a Nakaajiima Type 97 a Japanese Army Fighter build in conjunction with air museums in Texas and California. For more information, you can write to the Society of Aircraft Restoration, 109 Wichard Boulevard, Commack, New York 11725 or E-Mail.. soarr6@aol.com
Member of:
Luftwaffe Reenactors
Deutscher Jagdflieger (German Fighter Association)
Replica Fighters Assoc.
Warbirds Worldwide
EAA Warbirds