It sure helps to see how the ribs will eventually go into the wing. The eagle ii is really much more than just a highperformance, twoplace aerobatic airplane you can build at home. Pitts s1c wing materials construction kit steen aero lab. Though my dream pitts, is a pitts s1s fully symmetrical wing with four ailerons good for aerobatics through unlimited class, i have found this pitts s1c flat bottom wing with two ailerons for a great price and a good project for the summertime. First flown in 1967, the pitts s2 special is a twoseat version of the pitts s1 special. The s1c, preceded the s1s with the flat bottom aerofoils and low wing ailerons only. Not interested in complicated fabrication, or unobtainable wood for wing spars. Building a pitts 12 building a biplane from the ground.
I strive to create characters that are so real and emotionally impactful that you want to invite them home for dinner or maybe get a restraining order to keep. Not a stone is being left unturned working on it since early 2010. For take offs, you might want to try the technique uesd in full scale pitts specials as. So the only solution was to buy my own which i did in 2015. The pitts biplanes dominated world aerobatic competition in the 1960s and 1970s and, even today, remain potent competition aircraft in the lower categories. Most of this information, along with several pictures can be found in the book racing planes and. All singleseat s1 and twoseat s2 pitts specials are variations of the basic design from 1944.
I ordered the plans from curtis pitts and set out to build my first airplane. Pictures of building the pitts airplane wing designed by curtis pitts. The pitts has a constant airfoil and a single jig can be used to make all but 4 ribs the last ribs on the wing. Factory production was performed by the usamerican manufacturers pitts aerobatics, aerotek, christen industries and since 1991 by aviat aircraft, inc the pitts special s1 is the singleseater, the s2 is the twoseat aerobatic trainer variant. Bob dively is the same as andy sheber plane i have a set of bob plans plus mike smart pitts s1c plans coming. Pitts special s2a 55 laser cut wood pack quantity pitts special s2a 55 laser cut wood pack wp2538 laser cut wood pack for this 2seater version of the famous aerobatic showstopper is drawn to 1. I thought some of you guys and gals might enjoy watching the progress and work thats required to take a bare fuselage and turn it into a flying airplane. The aircraft was popularized by betty skelton, and other air show performers, which led to the offering of plans in 1962. Every day thousands of modelers visit us and download free model airplane and boat plans, plans shared by other modelers.
The pitts special is currently built by aviat aircraft in afton, wyoming. Pitts s1c wing rib basic materials kit builtup steen aero lab. It has been downloaded 42 times by fellow modelers from around the world. Because the 76 prop is about rd of the wing span, the full size pitts is very, very sensitive to the effects of the gyroscope. Pitts s1c wing rib basic materials kit builtup steen. First i had to build a new bending block, than i bend two 0. So there i was, mashing on the rudder pedals wishing the screeching would stop. Steen aero lab 1451 clearmont street ne, palm bay, fl 32905 usa phone.
Several of the aircraft that curtis pitts built had a picture of a skunk on them and were called stinkers. Pitts special s1 pacific coast air museum stunt biplane. Pitts s1c special aviation photos on jetphotos photos. It is widely accepted that the pitts special is the standard by which all other aerobatic aircraft are judged. Really tedious work, it took many hours to complete these pieces. After building a relatively small number of production aircraft, curtis pitts made plans available to amateurs so they could build their own. You learn something useful every minute and a half talking to steve. Ive had the privilege of flying my buddys beautiful io320 s1c a couple times now. The pitts special is without a doubt the best plane ive had the privilege to fly so far. On the other rib, you build the reverse of the nose rib. The pitts special is a singleengine one or twoseat aerobatic biplane aircraft designed by curtis pitts. I made some for my little pitts build out of flat brass and it turned out much better, size wise. I was under the impression that the one design has a tapering wing and that each rib on a side would be different.
It is a flat wing s1c with ailerons only on the bottom wings. Steen offers components and materials kits for the pitts special s1 series of aerobatic homebuilt biplanes. He and kathy brought a complete lower wing sans the fabric to snf. Several of the aircraft that curtis pitts built had a picture of a skunk on them and. It reacts to every input like its an extension of your mind. There are five different building jigs in the full set needed to build all the pitts s1c ribs. My instructor was yelling at the top of his lungs, dont ground loop. The pitts airplane is a biplane that was designed primarily for aerobatics. In the case of the pitts special that saying could have double meanings, both in the airplanes basic purpose in life goin round and round as well as the comeback phenomenon that seems to be in full swing. Ive had a lot of fun in many different types, but the pitts is in a class all its own. Today i spent time building the 27 channel that supports the tube against the rear landing gear leg. The red devils aircraft are pitts special biplanes designed by curtis pitts. Airborne rodde b heslehurst s2a, royal pitts s2a, scratch a plane 14 scale pitts s1c, pitts from a copy plans of a full size pitts s1c with the.
The original pitts design was created by curtis pitts in the mid 40s. First built by curtis pitts using a 65 hp engine which he though would be excessive power, the pitts is now built using engines with horsepower ratings of 450 hp and. Pitts sold plans for the twoaileron pitts s1cs the c denoted a continental engine beginning in 1962. Expermental aircraft like the pitts are made by homebuilders like you. It is not the book method of taking off, but using a normal takeoff method. The pitts biplanes dominated world aerobatic competition in the 1960s and 1970s and, even today, remain a potent competition aircraft in the lower categories.
Become a proud owner of a high performance powerhouse from a distinguished lineage of aircraft that have been precision. Aviat aircraft pitts aircraft manufacturers pitts, husky. Dedicated to the designer, the airplane, the pilots and mechanics, builders and fans of the greatest airplane ever built the pitts special company designations s1 and s2 is a series of light. A lot of serious engineering work had to be done to realize this project. We diverged a bit at this point, as chris wants to build a s1c with 2 long ailerons on the bottom wing and a semisymmetrical airfoil. Aug 19, 2011 a construction log and how to guide to building your own pitts s1. Shows many pitts aircraft from building to flying this is the worlds most successful aerobatic aircraft. Pitts produced limited numbers of aircraft during the 1940s and 1950s. Than i worked with grinder and files to give them the final shape. Janes pocket book of light aircraft second edition. Pitts s1, s1s specials red devils n442x, n9j, n58j. Building a pitts 12 building a biplane from the ground up.
When youre done, we will buy them back for up to 50% of the original price depending upon their condition. A great gift idea for pitts freaks and aviation buffs. Part 117031 the threaded part is a bit longer and has already a notch on two opposite sides to allow cotter pin installation. Several people in this thread have said that the one design would be faster to build because it has only one wing. I am a builder that looks just as much to the build as i do to the flying. Find pitts s1ss construction by stuart mackereth at blurb books. This is volume 1 2005 of a construction log of a pitts s1 aircraft. Pitts s2 special twoseat homebuilt biplane skytamer images. Pitts s1c plans updated cad version steen aero lab. With purchasing the carfmodels pitts youre getting the same grade of prefabrication you already know from all our other kits. Now, if you approach a good friend and ask if you could fly his pitts s1, he would most likely offer you his wife or girlfriend for the night, but not his pitts. This is the basic materials kit to build all of the wing ribs for your pitts s1c. If you have plans that are not here please upload them, so others can build from them.
This was a big question i had before i got started on this project. I am going to wait until tomorrow to make the other shackle and finish the pullpull. The quintessential aerobatic performer disciples of. It is similar to the singleseat s1 in basic configuration and construction, but is slightly larger in overall dimensions, with no attempt at commonality of components.
May 11, 2011 so weve been working on the pitts s1s for a couple of months now and the progress is finally starting to show some. Airborne rodde b heslehurst s2a, royal pitts s2a, scratch a plane 14 scale pitts s1c, pitts from. Among other things, the hero flies an s2c lucky bastard. How to build a pitts s1 a construction log and how to. Curtis pitts had an interesting tip after reading the manuscript of this book. We personally assess every book s quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. The clip in the top center of the panel is used to hold the aresti charts. The pitts special is a series of light aerobatic biplanes designed by curtis pitts. Pitts s2 special, janes all the worlds aircraft 196869, mcgrawhill book. If you build from scratch and scrounge for cheap used components, you could build one pretty cheap. Pitts s2 special specifications, performance data and airplane archive photo. Eagle aircraft manufacturers pitts, husky, eagle aircraft.
Betty skelton flew hers to three consecutive victories as u. First built by curtis pitts using a 65 hp engine which he though would be excessive power, the pitts is now built using engines with horsepower ratings of 450 hp and more. It has been a very challenging an detailed project. This version includes the longer fuselage which is now considered the standard s1 version this fuselage is also found on the s1s. Maybe i should back up a little and explain how i got here. The design has been refined continuously since the prototypes first flight in september 1944, however, the current pitts s2 still remains quite close to the original in concept and in design.
Several of our customers have powered their pitts with the titan zg 74 or even the zg 80 and are more than pleased with the results. It has accumulated many competition wins since its first flight in 1944. The carfmodels pitts s12 the first full composite kit of a biplane. When curtis pitts built the first s1 pitts special way back in 1945, few could have imagined that the design and its derivatives would dominate the aerobatic world for over 50odd years. In a twopart article in sport aviation, may 1973, tom poberezny wrote about this aircraft and curtis pitts. Whether im sharing stories of dirigible crews on alien planets, mutant bunnies on a derelict generation ship, or a young urban blacksmith struggling to understand a hidden world of magic and dragons. You too can build a pitts aircraft in your own garage.
A model is on display at the national air and space museum. I plan to do a complete rebuild including s1ss wings. This kit contains the full set of wooden parts needed to build a set of pitts s1c wings as. This kit includes routed plywood rib and aileron noses, cap strip. Curtis pitts and his legendary biplanes davisson, budd on. Kingcrafts almost ready to fly version of the pitts special is the s2b a later and more powerful twinseater variant. We can usually accommodate builders who need modifications to the basic, standard offerings listed in our catalog. How to build a pitts s1 create a free website or blog at. I build my skybolt exact to the information and plans from steen aero lab. The pitts was hopping from one side of the runway to the other. This kit contains the full set of wooden parts needed to build a set of pitts s1c wings as well as the drag wires and aluminum trailing edges. Pitts s1ss construction by stuart mackereth blurb books. For those unfamiliar, the s1c has a flat bottom airfoil and 2 ailerons rather than symmetrical 4aileron wings of the other pitts models.
Jim was building his as an open cockpit model with dual windshields. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. Pitts s2c the pitts will do just about anything you want it to enable yourself to easily perform highly skilled maneuvers with ease. We carry a full line of components for the pitts special s1 series of aerobatic biplanes. In the article, there is mention of a film, we came to win.
Curtis pitts began the design of a singleseat aerobatic biplane in 19431944. A pitts special is more bang for the buck than most. Jun 06, 2014 hey folks, been meaning to post up some pics n info about our project. It takes time and money to get your license, but build up some time before looking to buy a pitts. I have never flown an s1 but people who have say they are significantly more capable, but at the cost of being a bit more twitchy on the ground. This is the chart used by aerobatic pilots to display what their contest flight routine is supposed to be. The pitts s1c is an amuateurbuilt aerobatic aircraft sold as a kit by steen aero lab. Roger hess posted on december 18, 20 posted in aviation, diy. After stalking barnstormers, ebay, and tap for months, good deals were found for the some of the more costly basic components needed for the build.
How to build a pitts s1 a construction log and how to guide. Materials to build up the nose rib to the height of the cap strip. Pitts s1s for 100 watts scratch build page 5 rc groups. Ever since i earned my license in 2006, i have been dreaming of building a plane from scratch. Whether an rv or pitts, i wanted to build something with my own two hands. Our pitts can easily cope with this enormous power from the 62. On one of the l1 ribs, you put the nose rib in the jig, then stack two 316. I have a much better understanding of the build now. S1s roundwing pitts was certified in 1973 and about 65 were built, though the exact number is fuzzy due to the crossover with the s1e. Therefore, i was looking for a kit to build rather than trying to scratch build something. Selftaught aircraft designer curtis pitts built the first with a 55horsepower continental engine in 1944.
Some possessive people collect antique art wihile others dabble in dolls or round up wellworn saddles and spurs. This volumes includes all welding of the basic fuselage truss, with detailed highresolution pictures, and all the information and entries from the online blog, presented in a beautiful professional bound book format. Each of the 24 kits required to build the eagle ii contains a separate section of the aircraft, and every part, every piece is available nowtoday. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your first box. Around the world, the pitts name is synonymous with aerobatics. Make sure you get some time with someone with plenty of hours in one, to see if you like it. I want an s1s, which has four short ailerons and a symmetrical airfoil. The first version, a pitts 190 special, was built in 1947 for pilot betty skelton. I planned to build a similar fuselage that would accept a full canopy design similar to that used on the christen eagle. Pitts s1c wing rib construction jigs steen aero lab. Happy birthday, a new pitts 12 is born to celebrate roys 54th birthday, we begun the journey of building our own plane from the bottom up.
The s1s has symmetrical airfoils on both wings with identical angles of incidence, and four ailerons. A different airfoil is used on the top forwardmost wing to make it stall first whether upright or inverted. Early on, i latched onto the idea and design of a biplane. These updated s1c plans were produced using cad, and incorporate many refinements and improvements over the original plans. Factory production was performed by the usamerican manufacturers pitts aerobatics, aerotek, christen industries and since 1991 by aviat aircraft, incthe pitts special s1 is the singleseater, the s2 is the twoseat aerobatic trainer variant.
I used 18 brass rod for this one and need to go half that size. It is a whole new approach to homebuilt aircraft construction. The herr pitts special is a wonderful little aircraft in spite of the fact that mine. Pitts s1ss construction 1 by stuart mackereth blurb books. The aircraft was popularized by betty skelton, caro bayley, and other air show performers, which led to the offering of plans in 1962. The pitts special company designations s1 and s2 is a series of light aerobatic biplanes designed by curtis pitts. This kit includes routed plywood rib and aileron noses, cap strip stock, and sorted, cncrouted mahogany plywood gussets this kit eliminates the tedious chore of handcutting over a thousand gussets.
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