Pitts Special
| Pitts Special | |
|---|---|
 Pitts S1T Special |
|
| Type: | Sport aircraft , biplane |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
1945 |
| Production time: |
1945 until today |
| Number of pieces: |
approx. 650 |
The Pitts Special is an aerobatic biplane that was developed by Curtis Pitts (1915-2005). The construction is carried out in a traditional composite construction, i.e. H. a welded tubular steel fuselage and wooden wings. The first design work on the original version began in 1942. The first flight took place in 1945, with an engine that had just 55 hp (approx. 56 hp). The curb weight was approximately 500 pounds (227 kg).
history
The Pitts Special is the epitome of the aerobatic biplane. The first aerobatic monoplane that came close to the performance of the Pitts was the Jakowlew Jak-50 . Since the first flight in 1945, the Pitts have hardly changed - apart from the more powerful engine and some aerodynamic improvements to the wings and controls. Curtis Pitts previously built numerous monoplane for aerial races . The Pitts Special was initially built as a single piece. The single-seater only had 55 hp, but was still suitable for aerobatics. After installing a 90 hp engine (approx. 91 hp), aerobatics became more and more pleasant. In 1947 he finally built the second Little Stinker biplane with 85 hp (approx. 86 hp), which the American aerobatic pilot Betty Skelton bought from him immediately and with which she won numerous titles until 1950, which established the fame of the Pitts. From then on, the Pitts' plans were highly valued in the DIY scene.
It wasn't until 1971 that the S2A, the two-seater Pitts ( Big Stinker ), was developed, which, with 203 hp, looked a bit too tired compared to the 182 hp smaller S1 at the time. Only in the S2B did a six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 8.9 liters bring about 260 hp (approx. 264 hp) a flight experience comparable to the S1.
Approved versions of the compact Pitts Special are still from the company Aviat in Afton , Wyoming produced. The single-seat versions S1T and S1-11B are only manufactured on request. However, plans for the S1S and S1-11B versions can still be purchased from Aviat. Only the two-seater S2C with 260 hp (approx. 264 hp) and a span of approx. Six meters is still available "off the production line".
The Pitts in competitive aerobatics
Curtis Pitt's designs have long dominated national and international aerobatic championships. Four out of six members of the US national team flew Pitts Specials in 1970 and won the World Cup. In 1972, all seven members of the US team flew Pitts Specials and again won the world title. The US National Championships from 1969 to 1972 were won by pilots on Pitts Specials. (Author's note: Since the source dates from 1973, there is of course no information from it as to how the Pitts Specials dominated national and international aerobatic championships in the following years.) Despite the triumph of the Zlín Z-50 , Extra 300 , Edge 540 and various other high-performance aerobatic planes, Pitts planes still compete in the lower categories of regional championships.
Self-made
Even today, many construction plans and accessories for different S1 versions can be obtained, which is why there are hundreds of different self-made Pitts S1.
One of the best-known descendants of the Pitts Special is the two-seater Christen Eagle , which visually differs from the Pitts original in the more angular shape of the cowling and the slightly modified shape of the rudder.
Versions
- Pitts S1: The first Pitts design by C. Pitts, first flight in 1945.
- Pitts S1-C: Also called Flatwing in parlance because it has an asymmetrical M-6 airfoil and the underside of the surface profile is relatively straight ("flat"). C for Continental, as this version was originally planned with a Continental engine, even if most C models were later equipped with a Lycoming . Ailerons only on the lower wings.
- Pitts S1-D: Basically a C-model with a longer fuselage and 4 ailerons.
- Pitts S1-S: Also called Roundwing , approved in 1973, around 65 were built, symmetrical airfoil profile with four asymmetrical ailerons. From 1981 with the introduction of the T-model, the blueprints were approved by Curtis.
- Pitts S1-E: These are self-made S-models. About 100 kits were sold, some of which were approved as S1-S, but the exact number is unknown.
- Pitts S1-T: Modified S-model with 200 hp (approx. 203 hp) instead of 180 hp (approx. 183 hp) and controllable pitch propeller, also symmetrical ailerons for a higher roll rate.
- Pitts Model 11-260: Also known as the S1-11A. The prototype of the Super Stinker was completed in 1993. Completely new construction with 260 hp (approx. 264 hp) (Lycoming AEIO-540). This single-seat design by C. Pitts was built to compete in the Unlimited class dominated by the monoplane . Pitts had a complete FE calculation carried out for this design .
- Pitts S1-11B: Super Stinker S1-11A modified by Aviat with up to 300 hp (approx. 304 hp). Plans for these super duper stinkers can be obtained from Aviat.
- Pitts Model 12: First flight of the prototype of the Macho Stinker in 1996. This is the last design by Curtis with a Russian Wedenejew M-14 P / M14PF radial engine (360 hp / 400 hp) (approx. 365/406 hp).
- Pitts S2-A: The prototype was named Big Stinker . First two-seater version with 200 hp (approx. 203 hp) and controllable pitch propeller. The first S2A flew in 1967 and was certified in 1971.
- Pitts S2-S: Single-seat descendant of the S2-A, but with a six-cylinder AEIO-540.
- Pitts S2-B: Design by Frank Christensen, the designer of the Christian Eagle and therefore not a "real" Pitts from the pen of Curtis Pitts. Larger engine (six-cylinder AEIO-540 instead of a four-cylinder AEIO-360) with 260 hp (approx. 264 hp) instead of the 200 hp (approx. 203 hp) of the 2A. The 2B is probably the most widespread Pitts with around 200 built.
- Pitts S2C: The successor to the Pitts S2B and again a design by Curtis Pitts. Most noticeable is certainly that both the ends of the wings and the tail unit have been given an angular shape and an aerodynamically optimized canopy has been designed.
Technical specifications
- Span: 6.10 m
- Length: 5.41 m
- Height: 1.94 m
- Wing area: 11.61 m²
- Empty weight: 454 kg
- Max. Takeoff weight: 680 kg
- Engine: an Avco Lycoming IO-360-A1A with 150 kW (203 PS)
- Top speed: 253 km / h
- Service ceiling: 6125 m
- Operational range: 850 km
- Crew: 1–2
The data refer to the S-2A Special
literature
Articles from Sport Aviation :
- Cover Photo - Pitts Special 'Mr. Midnight 'N7021 (07/1969)
- Thank You, Mr. Pitts (Part 1 of 2) (05/1973, Tom Poberezny)
- Thank You, Mr. Pitts (Part 2 of 2) (06/1973, Tom Poberezny)
- Happy Birthday Curtis! (12/1990, HG Frautschy)
- The Pitts Special - Return of a Legendary Standard (01/1999, Budd Davisson)
Web links
- The story of the Pitts
- First flight of the original Pitts
- "Old School" Pitts aerobatics from 1981
- Airbum.com, Pitts Specials, and more