If a student should stick his head out to one side for a better view, Mac would scold him, "Do you think you are a bloody engine (locomotive) driver?" (Nick Pocock, describing his flight training in a Tiger Moth [Sport Aviation, 3/2006])

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Our Aircraft:       Steen Skybolt Pitts Model 14 Pitts S1 Knight Twister     Products:       ONLINE STORE Products Home Bruntons Brace Wires      About Bruntons MT Props Hoffmann Props      Request Prop Quote Vendenyev M14 Engines Laminated Wing Spars Laminated Leading Edges Canopies Motor Mounts Wing Kits & Wing Jigs Three-Section Wings Piloti Shoes VedaloHD Sunglasses      Styles      FAA Report on Sunglasses     Builders:       Builder F.A.Q. Construction    Photos Articles Project Gallery Submit Photos Project Logs     Resources:     News Event Reports Email List Testimonials Non-US Distributors Links Scale Models Biplane Lore About This Site Website Updates About Us Contact / Visit Us         Project Log Aircraft Construction - Pitts 14 Prototype Construction Begins Pitts 14 Prototype Created: 12/10/2003 Updated: 04/07/2004 Link(s): N/A   Article by Mike Whaley   Construction begins on the Pitts 14 prototype in early May 2003. Curtis came to the shop for a week as his Model 14 drawings became structure for the first time. Jigs were completed for the fuselage side sub-assemblies and tail surfaces. Tubing nibbler pattern templates were completed for all tubes in the fuselage. The fuselage sides were tack welded together. The Model 14 prototype was under way.... Curtis smiles for the camera as we begin the initial prototype construction of the Pitts Model 14. Curtis has been designing best-of-breed aerobatic biplanes for more than 60 years.   The fuselage side frame subassemblies are laid out on a jig built on a flat baseboard, similar to many other tube-built aircraft. Hardwood blocks are cut in quantity and pre-drilled in advance for the screws which will anchor them to the baseboard. The blocks locate each tube in the side structure and allow the frame subassembly to be tack welded.   There are lots of little details at this early stage. Paul Goetsch lays the foundation of the Model 14 fuselage. The starboard and port sides are identical and use the same jig.   Other entries in this series:       » Construction Begins    May 2003      Fuselage Basic Structure    June 2003      Fuselage Basic Structure Completed, Engine Arrives, Steve Culp Helps Out    July 2003      Pitts Model 14 Introduced at Oshkosh    4th week of July 2003      Curtis Visits to Continue the Design, Wing Construction Begins    August 2003      Wing Construction Underway    September 2003      Lower Wing Basic Construction    October 2003      Lower Wing Details and First Fuselage Formers    November 2003      Fuselage Formers, Skin and Wing Details    December 2003      Fuselage Side Panels and Upper Wing Construction    January 2004      Wing-Root Fairings, Fuselage Skin Panels, and Upper Wing    February 2004      Fuselage Side Panels, Wing Rigging, Engine Arrives    March 2004      Sun N 'Fun 2004    April 2004      Summer 2004 Status Update    May 2004      Aluminum Turtledeck    1st week of June 2004      Sheet Metal Work, AirVenture    4th week of June 2004      Adjustable Seats, Part 1    August 2004      Adjustable Seats, Part 2    December 2004      Wings    December 2004      Throttle Quadrant    December 2004      Spring 2005    March 2005 If you have any additions or corrections to this item, please let us know. Go to Project Log archives

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