OK...here's the story and some pics. Back in the '80's and early 90's I was flying my Pitts S1-T in Unlimited IAC. Did very well with it, winning the IAC Championship in '88. Best thing that ever happened to me with this wonderful plane was meeting the love of my life in '89 and now wife of 25 years (and counting).
This is our first date pic at a contest in Covington, TN that year;
Anyway, Stan Klick, a member of the Pegasus RC club in Hagerstown, MD (of which I'm a member since starting RC about 7 years ago), built several scale replicas of my Pitts. I think the first one was 1/4 scale and the next 2 were 33%. He flew them although I never did get to see one fly. Not sure what engine combo he used? At one of our local airshows Stan brought one of them for photos with my plane and I have this one in my file;
I think it is the 1/4 scale version. I do know it's not the one I now have.
A couple of months ago Stan GAVE me the last remaining replica, which is a 33% model. All were scratch or plans built and this one is a wonderful example of his work. Other than the cowling being an S1-S model (S1-T's had a pressure cowl that faired into the fuse better), and the large N number on the fuse (still not certain why he elected to do that?), it is a beautiful airplane.
It had no engine or other equipment in it when I got it, so I cleaned off the dust, mocked up an dummy engine/prop combo, redid the fuselage lettering, fabbed a"Haigh" tailwheel and some aileron spades. Thank you Steve, from SMJ spinners who donated an unusable-for-flying spinner.
I have absolutely no intention of flying this plane.....it will hang in my new shop when our new home construction is completed early next year. THANK YOU STAN for your craftsmanship and generosity!!!
BTW - when my wife first saw it after bring it home, she got all choked up.....