[dotancohen]

Does the data plate not limit the scope of what can be built around it?

In other words had Virgin Galactic built the VSS Enterprise around the data plate of a Cessna 172, would it then no longer have been an experimental aircraft?

[travisjungroth]

The airplane has to match the data plate. Otherwise, it will fail inspections because of all those unauthorized modifications.

[ovi256]

It does limit, but I suspect a lot less for the rebuilt from ground up biplane, than for a certified for airline service aircraft (a commercial airliner).