Biplane fever!! Something out of the ordinary. 50% pitts s-1

[Rick dazzler]

I couldn't wait for winter...
Been wanting a cost efficient 50%er and I love a pitts.. This plane has been setting unfinished for several years..
It is a 50% G&L hobbies pitts s1.. over 3200 square inches and gonna target 42 lbs or less!
I cant take credit for the build....
This plane was built from gregs kit by a Tennessee local named mike mccoin.. He is one of the best builders we know of in our area..
Club member erick alford is covering the wings and tail .. His covering is like non other
Went with ultracote apple green. Checker board on the bottom.. Still not sure where to go with this on finishing schemes but gonna soon be in the process to finish her out...
Gonna start on getting the glass fuselage prepped for paint soon...
Reserving my spot... Can't wait to fly with some modelbau challengers or maybe even crazy carls pitts at nall

 

[Rick dazzler]

Here are some inside shots..
All hand cut formers from templates provided with the kit.. Lots of old school building was done on this beast..

Also some pics of the finished wings and tail section next to a 50cc PAU pitts challenger

 

[Feral]

Hol-eeee smokes that thing is massive

 

[gyro]

Hol-eeee smokes that thing is massive

I don't know if even the word "massive" does it justice!

 

[jmart95]

That's awesome, Can't wait to see it when it's done!

 

[Rick dazzler]

Thats what...never mind...LOL
It stands up to past my waistline and I'm 5' 11".. It's a perfect size 50%er though... being a full scale s-1 is TINY this plane is a 50%er that will have ballistic power on a 150-200cc

 

[Rick dazzler]

Thanks guys! Went out to the field today with it.. Left my trailer at home..flew some foam and sanded with 180 grit while hanging out with the guys today.... If I dont get to busy tomorrow the fuselage may see primer.. After final paint on the fuse it's an arf!! Hope to fly in september

 

[Rick dazzler]

The 50% pitts has came a long way!!

I learned something about a fiberglass mold with not enough resin.. PINHOLES!!!:facepalm: Yikes... Serveral swipes of bondo on an applicator.. sand to 180 grit... prime... ONLY to find more....PINHOLES!!
Finally got most all of them worked out...
Prime coat over the sanded areas, then off to 300 grit sand paper dry, 800 grit wetsand for an awesome finish.
Hated to paint over it as it looked like a rat rod and smooth
A flying buddy shot me some "apple green" paint...
Just added some vinyl striping and letters with my plotter and just winging it as i go along..'

WOW I have killed myself every night on this thing this week since I got it.. Came a LONG way but a long way to go...
I'm loving it! I hope to fly it late next month...

 

[Feral]

Freakin awesome man!!!!

 

[Rick dazzler]

Freakin awesome man!!!!

Thank you sir!