I started on my second Pitts, after crashing the first one :stupid: Last night. I ordered a DA 50 for Pitts II The engine in Pitts I was damaged beyond repair. Flywheel hole expanded on the tapered shaft beyond the set point. Bent the shaft and the ATM device was bent. Thought about replacing with electronic ignition, but after learning the shaft was bent decided it's time for a new engine. Arrgh. Expensive mistake.

Now heres a twist on the firewall reinforcement concept. I had pinned the firewall and fiberglassed it as a result of all those who had experienced the firewall coming loose due to power and vibration from gas engines. Ok, great idea. After the crash I noticed that while the airplane had taken a terrible beating the firewall didn't budge, but the engine was a total loss as well as the airplane. So, how much reinforcement is too much? Now I wish the firewall had come loose on impact which might have saved the engine. Just a thought. I guess the best idea is to reinforce the firewall and then don't crash the airplane. I think the lesson learned on this idea is there is a trade off in reinforcing the firewall. It will hold, but in a crash the engine is likely to receive damage. Who knows?

The firewall on Pitts II was terrible. Gaps between the stingers and the balsa. Arrgh........ Nothing epoxy and tristock can't fix. I removed the thin flimsy tristock around the mounting box and added hardwood tristock with epoxy as before. Drilled and pinned. Will add fiberglass when I get off the road.

The distance from the engine mount to the prop washer is 6 3/8" per DA, so the cowl clearance should not be a concern as I had with the Fuji 50 and the prop shaft extender. Purchased a stock muffler with smoke taps and two Menz 22X8 props. Total cost 677.00. Yep, expensive lesson............. Can't wait to get the engine in. I have heard so many good things about it.

Pictures will follow as I go, if interested. Wish me luck on the second attempt. I will keep an eye on the incidence concerns I have read about on this thread.