vmsguy

When I was a kid, I was a passenger on one of my mother's errands to the "big city" of Prairie du Chein.

We headed south of town, passed the airport. As we were driving, I looked out the window as a plane took off. From a kid's perspective, the airplane seemed the coolest thing. It took off, looked like it was only 50 feet off the ground, then almost directly above us.. did an aileron roll, and continued to fly away.

It was probably higher and further away then a kid's memory.

But that memory stuck with me. It didn't take me long to find out what that plane was. It was.. of course.. the Pitts...

I don't remember the model. No idea who the pilot was.

But it was red.! And it was COOL!!!

So I started looking.. keeping my eyes open.... etc.

Anyway... to get to the reason for this post....

I ordered/received all the various Pitts plans available from RC Magazine...

I'm going to send them to Ed down at Lazerworks for him to do his magic... I figured others might like to get a short kit as well..

So I'm asking.. Which one should I tell Ed to do first????

There are three plan sets:

#746: Pitts S2A. 41" wingspan, by Robert Brantley. .29-.45 engine
#199: Pitts Special, 54" wingspan, by Nick Ziroli, .60 engine
#528: Pitts Specia, 52" wingspan, by Norm McFarland, .61 engine

Any comments? any suggestions? Any alternatives?

vmsguy

Wow... I thought this topic would get more interest....

My search continues, and I found two more sets of plans, both from Model Aircraft News....

I will order these plans today.

P40 Maniac

My Feedback: (15)

The old Royal plans are sold on e-bay with templates and instrutions sold by us wings user name. The wingspan of 52" the engines 60-80 glow. that is a pitts s-2 I have bought them to build.

TFF

I have the Ziroli plans and plan to build it but it is not very scale and a little outdated. I like the McFarland one from the picture. Was the S2A one the HOB kit?

vmsguy

The pictures in the original post were the pictures associated with the RCM plans. They are in the same order as the RCM plans.

From what I've read today, the McFarland plans are 1/4 scale. ....

But then again.. I'm not big on "scale". I know that may be blasphemy to the scale enthusiasts out there. I call my interest "sports scale" or "stand-way-off" scale.

I want a plane that people recognize as a Pitts, but I don't really care if it's not a perfect scale replication of an existing aircraft.

I want a plane to fly, not to sit on the ground and be ooh-and-aahed over by scale enthusiasts. Besides, those oohs-and-aahs.. don't last very long. Usually as long as it takes to say.. "That's nice... err... uhm... Oh look! something shiney over there!"

TFF

All Pitts are made to fly. I love Pitts and I understand that you want it to fly more than be right bit the Ziroli is made like an Ugly Stick. I bet it is the toughest one but the landing gear and engine mounting are mid 60's reed radio stuff. I would like to see the plans to MAN 61" span one as it might be the best; with this plane bigger the better. The construction article for the McFarland one is on the RCM web site.

kestrel0222

My Feedback: (1)

I too am considering building a Pitts. From the ones you have listed, I would go with the Norm McFarland version. From the pictures that you posted, it looks the best to me. Let us all know which one you decide to build.

kestrel0222

My Feedback: (1)

Yes, It was the House Of Balsa kit.

kestrel0222

My Feedback: (1)

Does anyone have a PDF copy of Norm McFarland's Pitts?

vmsguy

In case anyone is interested...

I sent some plans to Lazerworks today.

http://lazer-works.com/index.html

I only sent the M.A.N. #3951 1/4 scale plans.

I don't know how long it'll take them to make the conversion. I think, the last set of plans I sent them, took 2-3 months.


The plans call for a .90 to 1.20 motor.

Plus, the plans reference other things, like wheel pants, canopies, cabanes.. from other planes.. If I can remember, I'll make a list and post it here.

If I can remember, I will return to this post when the short kit is ready.

vmsguy

An update:

I got an email Lazerworks.

Ed is currently working on the Pitts plans, and is more than 1/2 way done. He estimates he will have them ready for lazering by end of week, or early next week (April 6th or so) at the latest...

WooHoo!

vmsguy

Another update...

I got an email from Ed last night.. My short kit has been shipped. Cost plus shipping was $150...ish.. Can't remember exactly.

I checked the website, and it hasn't been updated yet. Hopefully soon.

If I can remember, I'll snap a few pictures of the short kit once it arrives.

BillyJ

build andy sheber with G-62 very scale 2year project!!! 80''ws

vmsguy

One last update.

The lazercut short kit arrived last week. I haven't had a chance to even open the box yet.

I checked their website, and the short kit is listed under the "Full List" area. I think Ed's still getting the web pages updated.

Long story short.. It's available. $135.00. And I think another $17.00 to ship it to me.

bgchip

My Feedback: (1)

Hi I built this Pitts S2A years ago but I gave it away. I would like tobuild it again. I still have the plans and original RCM magazine. I would like the short kit. I would also like to know where I can get the fiberglass cowl, wheel pants and canopy. Thank you