First-time builder: Pitts or Acroduster Too?
Kai Glsner
I will try to start a plansbuild-project (for the first time!!!!!!!!!) and
I'm looking for "the right thing". I have reduced it to two possible planes:
a Pitts (maybe a S-1S or S-2A) and the Acroduster Too.
Has anybody experience with one of these? Which one will be easier to build
(...yes I know, the S-1S is a "one-holer" and maybe less time- and
money-consuming, but which one is EASIER?)
The other question is: When going for the Pitts, where to buy the plans?
I've seen them at Aviat and an other company, but are there more choices?
Thanks in advance for help
Kai Glaesner
JPruzek
there have been a lot more Pitts built than Acrodusters, therefore, a lot more
Pitts experts. Also, if you wish to buy any of your components prefabed, there
are plenty of choices available for the Pitts, not as many for the Acroduster.
And if you ever decide to sell the project, you will probably be able to sell
the Pitts easier than the Acroduster. Which ever design you build, you may
want to get ahold of a set of Christen Eagle builder manuals to help you along.
Although the part numbers will all be different, the construction sequence is
the same and there is lots of useful information in there for the first time
buidler. Aviat will sell you the manuals at some ridiculous price, but I would
try to find someone in your area who will let you borrow them for a trip to the
copy shop.
Lee McGee
(Acroduster Too) ever built, I believe. Somebody
correct me if I'm wrong. So there is indeed one heck
of a lot more Pitts experience out there.
Stolp Starduster Company is still in business, in
fact rejuvenated, up in Oroville California, and
they provide excellent support, will do kits for
all major airframe components, and can even build
and sell you completed components, e.g. welded
fuselage, landing gear, tailfeathers, whatever.
http://www.starduster.com
I don't believe there is much of a difference in
construction difficulty or time between Pitts, Skybolt,
Acroduster. These tube and fabric types are all
built the same way using similar techniques and time.
Some of the differences:
- Starduster and Acroduster have an elliptical wing
planform, so you build a lot of different-sized ribs!
This is not as bad as it seems, however.
- But Starduster/Acroduster gets a lot of mileage out
of using common 2024-T3 aluminum U, T and L shapes
for wing fittings, and this eases the fitting
fabrication game as you don't have to figure out
how to fabricate them out of 4130. I took me about
20 months part time to build all five wing sections
for the Acroduster Too. I am not a fast builder.
- Skybolt wingspan is 24 feet, and the upper wing is
one-piece. Watch the size of your workshop! The
Acroduster Too upper wing is three piece and you
can build this in a small garage.
- Pitts and Eagle also have single-piece upper wing,
but much shorter, only 19 feet or so on the two-place
designs, shorter even still on the S1.
Finally, if you want to build a great Acro ship, why
not try the Pitts Super Stinker S-1-11B? The
performance is far, far superior to the others. I
have seen the plans for the Super Stinker and they
are lovely; looks like an easy build for this type
of airplane.
BTW, I've been building my own Acroduster Too project
for three of the last four years. ;^)
*** Posted from RemarQ - http://www.remarq.com - Discussions Start Here (tm) ***
CW9371
I looked at both and have decided on the acroduster too. I liked the price and
the performance was better than an eagle and better then some of the pitts.
The starduster stay in my home town for Airventure or what ever EAA wants to
call it now. I have gotten to know alot of them and I think the company give
great support. Also their are quite a few prebuilt parts available. Call up
starduter and order the video and ifo packeage on the acroduster. bye the way
I hope you like the video as my best friend filmed and produced it. As for
selling one, it will be very easy. I was looking at buying a partional kit and
still am, buts its been 6 months now and I have only found 1. That particular
one was started in 1979 and since its almost older then me I passed. Hope this
helps, but if you have questions on the acroduster just call starduster corp
and speak to less. he is the owner of the company.
Christopher Wilcox
CGW Insurance/Investments
Registered Investment Advisor
Kai Gläsner
> the same and there is lots of useful information in there for the first time
> buidler. Aviat will sell you the manuals at some ridiculous price, but I would
> try to find someone in your area who will let you borrow them for a trip to the
> copy shop.
I like the idea: Anybody out there in the germany-area?
Have fun
Kai
highflyer
>
> hello community,
>
> I will try to start a plansbuild-project (for the first time!!!!!!!!!) and
> I'm looking for "the right thing". I have reduced it to two possible planes:
> a Pitts (maybe a S-1S or S-2A) and the Acroduster Too.
> Has anybody experience with one of these? Which one will be easier to build
> (...yes I know, the S-1S is a "one-holer" and maybe less time- and
> money-consuming, but which one is EASIER?)
> The other question is: When going for the Pitts, where to buy the plans?
> I've seen them at Aviat and an other company, but are there more choices?
>
The Pitts and the Acroduster Too are very similiar to build. The
size of an airplane does not significantly alter the number of parts
or the building complexity, between one place and two.
Aviatt owns the rights to the original Pitts based on Betty Skeltons
"Lil Stinker." However, Curtiss has designed some follow on planes
that may be significantly more fun. See the Super Pitts, "Big
Stinker" with the Russian radial engine! It really isn't any harder
to build that either of the others, and would sure be a heck of an
aerobatic airplane! Curtiss Pitts really knows his stuff.
HF
CW9371
>"Lil Stinker." However, Curtiss has designed some follow on planes
>that may be significantly more fun. See the Super Pitts, "Big
>Stinker" with the Russian radial engine! It really isn't any harder
>to build that either of the others, and would sure be a heck of an
>aerobatic airplane! Curtiss Pitts really knows his stuff.
>
Atleast from the info i recieved from Avait they own the rights to all the
Pitts aircraft including the superstinker. I chose the acroduster as it was
cheaper. Plus avait was puching the christen eagle and that doesnt compare
perfromance wise to a 300 hp pitts or acroduster
Kai Glsner
request for information just brought up infos on plansbuilding a S-1S or
S-2S...
CW9371
>request for information just brought up infos on plansbuilding a S-1S or
>S-2S...
>
contact Aviat
www.avait.com
Richard Lamb
Which one do you want to fly?
Have you any experience in either?
These planes are almost identical in construction,
and very SIMILAR (but not identical) in performance.
Kai Glsner wrote:
>
> hello community,
>
> I will try to start a plansbuild-project (for the first time!!!!!!!!!) and
> I'm looking for "the right thing". I have reduced it to two possible planes:
> a Pitts (maybe a S-1S or S-2A) and the Acroduster Too.
> Has anybody experience with one of these? Which one will be easier to build
> (...yes I know, the S-1S is a "one-holer" and maybe less time- and
> money-consuming, but which one is EASIER?)
> The other question is: When going for the Pitts, where to buy the plans?
> I've seen them at Aviat and an other company, but are there more choices?
>
Richard Lamb
Kai Glsner wrote:
>
> ... do you think they will sell plans for building a S-2A or S-2B? My
Thomas Weinberger
highflyer wrote in message <36AC83...@alt.net>...
>Aviatt owns the rights to the original Pitts based on Betty Skeltons
>"Lil Stinker." However, Curtiss has designed some follow on planes
>that may be significantly more fun. See the Super Pitts, "Big
>Stinker" with the Russian radial engine! It really isn't any harder
>to build that either of the others, and would sure be a heck of an
>aerobatic airplane! Curtiss Pitts really knows his stuff.
Thats it :-) All I have seen of this bird sounds really like Curtis
Pitts' big deal. But I don't find any closer info's around the net.
Does anyone have a source for info's on the quality of model 12 plans
or on the M-14P(F) engine? The only site I found is
http://www.jimkimballenterprises.com . They do a really good job, but
there is no further info (especially on the engine).
So long,
Tom
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Please use the subject line in your mail for immediate delivery of
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The above is my private opinion and is not intended to blame anyone.
And - sorry for the poor english ;-]
Charles K. Scott
"Thomas Weinberger" <twein...@gmx.net> writes:
> Thats it :-) All I have seen of this bird sounds really like Curtis
> Pitts' big deal. But I don't find any closer info's around the net.
> Does anyone have a source for info's on the quality of model 12 plans
> or on the M-14P(F) engine? The only site I found is
> http://www.jimkimballenterprises.com . They do a really good job, but
> there is no further info (especially on the engine).
>
> So long,
> Tom
Tom, this was written up in Sport Aviation last year. Really
attractive looking airplane. Last I heard at least one company was
supplying a kit for it.
Corky Scott
Thomas Weinberger
Charles K. Scott wrote in message
<78l19l$t40$1...@dartvax.dartmouth.edu>...
>Tom, this was written up in Sport Aviation last year. Really
Do you know which issue? My EAA membership is pretty new (Dec 98) so I
must order it separate. Or is there anybody who can scan-and-mail it
(grin :^)?
So long,
Tom
Charles K. Scott
"Thomas Weinberger" <twein...@gmx.net> writes:
> Do you know which issue? My EAA membership is pretty new (Dec 98) so I
> must order it separate. Or is there anybody who can scan-and-mail it
> (grin :^)?
>
> So long,
> Tom
No, sorry I don't. But I'll be EAA knows which one. Give them a call.
Corky Scott