unfortunately it's mainly due to the nature of the construction technique of the aircraft. You have to bear in mind that once you disassemble the wings of an aircraft you need to rig them back in position, making sure that the alignment is correct, or you'll have to re-trim the aircraft again. It is recommended not to do it too often though, especially with a wooden construction, which finds its solidity in its build, and is more prone to flex and expand/contract under certain scenarios. It wouldn't surprise me if once they get it to the US the re-fit of the fuselage to the wings will give them problems: the change in humidity, pressure and other mechanical factors will all come into play.
So as much as it's a shame it won't make it here, I understand them fully.
As per flying it around, good luck finding an insurance company that will cover you for that, especially if your powerplant is based on two temperamental engines like the RR Merlin, which has a TBO for heads and banks at circa 300 hours, as opposed to a P&W radial, whose TBO is around 1500 hours..
Last edited by Sternjaeger II; 09-29-2012 at 02:16 PM.
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