When I purchased this Pitts in 1999, I decided to upgrade and rebuild many items. I envisioned the planes’ profile view with completely different lines.
I immediately sketched out how I wanted the plane to look. The process has taken several years. Typically I would fly it during the spring thru fall months. Then during the winter I would disassemble upgrade, and inspect the entire airplane. Every winter I replace every stress related bolt and nut. On my days off from work I could usually be found at my hangar working on my Pitts. May pilots at my home airport usually make fun of me because I seem to work on it more than I fly it. I must admit this is probably true. However, for me I enjoy maintaining an aircraft as much as flying it.
The original engine had very low total flying time. However when an aircraft engine remains inactive for several months or years the internal wear can be significant. It can cause increased internal wear on the moving parts. This was the case with the original engine. In late 2006, this engine sure let me down shortly after take-off.
I decided it was time for a new engine and propellor to better support my “Flight for Cancer” idea. There are many options when it comes to rebuilding or replacement of your aircraft engine. Additionally, there are many different ideas offered by pilots and professional aircraft builders regarding the best way to overhaul your engine. The cost of overhaul as many pilot/owners know can be substantial.
After many months of research I finally asked the great folks at Monty Barrett Aircraft Engines in Tulsa Oklahoma to build a monster Lycoming Angle Valve IO-390x with roller tappet technology. Additionally I purchased a brand new MT constant speed propellor and a new 4-1 exhaust. While it was disassembled I designed a new rudder. The result has proved to be awesome. Its become a very fast and powerful Pitts S1.
After installing the Monty Barrett IO-390x on my Pitts the result was an incredible ride. It has made this little biplane about 45 mph faster. However, after only 11 hours of flight time on the new engine, it was painfully obvious that the original fuselage was not strong enough. The fuselage was too weak where the landing gear attaches to the fuselage. Even though this was modified in the mid 80’s to accept the spring landing gear, the modification was not strong enough and needed to be changed.
So in June of 2008 I reluctantly disassembled my Pitts AGAIN! The plan, this time, was to build a new front fuselage that would be strong enough to handle not only the stress of the spring landing gear but the new engine and all its power. Thanks to my good friend I was able to realize a new fuselage for the Flight for Cancer Pitts Special.
The fuselage was modified and finished in late 2009. My plan was to have the restoration complete by summer 2009. As fast as I could possibly work, that date came and went. So many days of perfect flying weather passed as I watched aircraft passing overhead while working in my little garage. After completing the new fuselage, several things had to be made from scratch. The cowlings the lower firewall, the belly panels, the fuselage fabric, the new rudder fabric, the plane’s paint etc.
