ORIGINAL: UStik
Two very small details, or better speculation, just noticed:
ORIGINAL: kingaltair
Notice the hand-machined metal clips Ed used to hold down the Supertigre .56. Mounting holes and blind nuts were originally drilled for a Veco .45. By using the clips, he could use the same holes. The machined clips were slightly different in size; I don't know if this was done by design or not.
I think it was by design to give room to the nose landing gear linkage. Clips seem to be finished on a rough grinding wheel or even made with a file. Must be quite soft metal, there's an indentation of the engine mount flange.
Why the model names from stars or constellations? Could be simple:
Astro Hog - Orion - Taurus. Still not understanding the meaning of Smog Hog, Astro Hog... But found some "mythological background": "The big hunter Orion is eternally antagonizing the bull (Taurus)." And Altair is said to be Arabic short form for "the flying eagle". Ed was amazing! It's fun to get him figured out.
I had to look carefully at the pictures to remember which clip went on which side. Their grainy appearance may be due to the wire wheel on my Dremel tool I used to clean and shine them up. There were originally covered with "crud", but cleaned up very nicely.
Although I know Ed flew, and modified Smog or Astro Hogs in the late 50's, did he DESIGN those planes? Please tell me he didn't
Duane