This patriotic 1977 Pitts S1C is described as basically being new in the wrapper, with a slightly unsettling story as to why. You don’t have to look far to see Pitts makes a very popular stunt aircraft used by folks with far bigger you-know-whats than I care to admit. Here’s the unsettling part: this one was parked without many hours under its belt due to the pilot getting rattled after sensing too much looseness in the wings following a particularly hairy maneuver. It hasn’t flown since, hence why it’s offered as a display piece for your shop rather than an active aircraft for your hangar. Find it here on eBay with bids to $6,900 and the reserve unmet.
The seller offers some more background that reveals the insurance adjuster was called out to see why the plane wasn’t flying right. Not being a trained aircraft mechanic, the plane wasn’t declared damaged, and given it remained in otherwise mint condition, not much investigative work was performed. This translates to the fabric not being removed from the troublesome wing or the fuselage as the inspector didn’t want to risk causing damage that may not have been warranted. The pilot removed a digital display/gauge of sorts from the cabin and otherwise moved on from ever using this athletic aircraft again.
Now, listen: I get it that this is an eBay seller’s tale as to why this special use plane hasn’t seen much flight-time. But given the engine and propeller have been removed, I wouldn’t get too worked up about the specifics, as it really is just a display piece at this point and only being offered as such. Should you want to re-equip this plane with any number of the Dynafocal / Lycoming engines that will drop right in, you’re free to do so – with the caveat being some further disassembly may be required to assess whether the previous pilot’s fears about the construction of the aircraft were true or unfounded.
Here’s one of many photos showing a Pitts aircraft in action, this one actually cutting a ceremonial ribbon while flying upside down. This thing seems like the Caterham 7 of the skies, given the limited use but limitless stunts it can pull off. I’m not sure where I stand on this particular example, as its compact size does make it a great fit for a gigantic piece of garage or hangar decor, but it seems like a shame not to put such a capable aircraft back to air-ready use. Would the history stop you from flying it, or would you tear it down and prepare it for its next flight?
If u know how to weld alluminum might be a deal!
I’m not intimate with all the various Pitts versions, but I think you will find that there is very little aluminum to weld on a S1C. The fuselage is fabric over welded steel tubing. The wings are fabric over a wooden built up structure. Maybe a fuel tank, but thats about it.
I always wanted to fly a Pitts, to experience its characteristics first hand. I also wanted to fly a GeeBee for the same reasons. Of course today I still might be able to handle a Pitts but I’m a good 20 years beyond a GeeBee. Now for this one: I’m curious about the wings. If the pilot thought they were loose then I would’ve thought they might find out the problem with the wings removed. Just a decoration is all that is left of this one…
“WELL, THIS IS A VERY NICE AIRPLANE, COMPLETE WITH ALL COMPONENTS EXCEPT THE ENGINE AND PROPELLOR. ALTHOUGH THESE ITEMS WERE NOT DAMAGED, WE HAVE DECIDED NOT TO INCLUDE THEM SO AS TO GIVE THE BUYER ALL THE CHOICES.”
Translation: We bought the plane, needing the engine and prop for another project, and will get all our money back by selling it without those items.”
Still, if someone really knows airframes, and this plane series in particular, this could be a great project to get back into the air.
Crop duster?
After full fuel and a normal sized pilot, a S1C has enough cargo weight/volume for a large ham sandwich.
Without the lettuce
This is about the craziest ad for a plane I have ever read. Exactly what does “RIGHT WING SEEMED ESPECIALLY LOOSE, MORE SO THAN NORMAL” mean? How exactly do you feel looseness in flight? Flying wires? Rigging? ailerons? Top wing, bottom wing, both wings? There is no “looseness ” ever in a Pitts wing. It is either properly mounted and affixed or it is not. There is no “normal” looseness. It can be improperly rigged, which makes if fly crappy, but not loose. If it were put together and the wing was loose from the fuselage, then it needs to be disassembled, stripped of fabric and properly inspected. Pitts S1C is not a valuable airplane even when flying. Single place, difficult to land, purpose built (but very good at it). Its value as a display isn’t much and is already there without an engine and prop. Plus no annual. Yes, I have flown Pitts Specials, this is one I would definitely pass on unless there was a lot more information in the logbooks and I could thoroughly inspect it. It does have a nice paint job though and maybe someone will want it as a static display, although since it has logbooks, it deserves better.
Growing up my friends dad Gerry Younger flew one of these.
He was five time national aerobatic champion of Canada.
I remember seeing his plane in the big garage they had quite often.
Loose wing? Then you would have to go back into the build logs and see who signed off on the assembly. I would strip the wing and fuselage to check everything before attempting flying it again. You can find an engine and prop easily enough as long as there are logs or you zero time them. Fun plane but not for the average pilot. Since it is a display item and sold as such it just sucks up space.
I would be highly suspect of this plane. The first thing you would do is check with an Air frame and Power Plant Mechanic that has a current FFA permit to check the plane and then I would check with the manufacturer and any pilot organization I could find. That the wings are described as loose is totally frightening. As a display piece it could be nice for the right location. I have helped with the restoration of an AT-6 which is a much larger aircraft that is hanging from a ceiling in down town Manhattan at a pilots shop there. That plane it totally made from non airworthy AT-6 parts. You should see the crack in the crankshaft for example. That a potentially flight operational aircraft should become a display piece seems very very strange.
I used to own an S1-C Pitts with a friend. Loved flying it and miss it. Sold it and the buyer, showing off right after take-off crashed it. Sure would like to have another, maybe a two seater S2-B so I could take someone else up.
These are the Jet Skis of the aviation world. A whole bunch of fun but basically useless for anything constructive. It CAN go 175mph but not far (300-is miles) and has a pretty high stall speed for a biplane. 21,000ft ceiling but it would take most of your fuel capacity to get there.AND..These were available as KITS…Yes, you heard that correctly. This could be an owner-built machine which MEANS every freakin thing on this airfame needs to be checked and signed off by a certified mechanic..And that ain’t cheap..no sir..
The redline was 203 mph. Stall speed is not that high. I have flown mine up to 13,500′. I doubt your 21,000′ claim unless it had a turbo or at least a larger engine than mine had. I have over 230 hours in the S-1.
Plans were available to be home built. I don’t remember there ever being any “kits” available for any S-1.
Jet Skis of the aviation world? Nope.
I have never in my life heard a pilot make a statement like the wing seems loose? I have almost 20 hrs in a Pitts S2B absolutely loved that plane! When I was done with the Pitts I got in my Mooney to fly home and that Mooney felt like an absolute ton of bricks to fly in fact after take off I was looking all over for something wrong all was ok just the difference between a total hotrod of the skies and a reliable general aviation plane. Pitts are incredible airplanes but no clue what’s up with one?
That’s why I wanted to be checked out in one. I thought it would be a real blast to have flown one. But I have to be satisfied with a 172, a 150 and a Cherokee Archer. Oh yes, 9 hours in a 310….
It is being parted by a scrapyard.
A scrapyard would have paid about $4500 for this, with the engine and propeller. Those would fetch $5000 to $8000, depending on type and condition, so he’s really raking it in with what’s left of this thing. Max display value for an airframe like this is MAYBE $2000. I’ve been in the aviation world for almost 50 years, and planes are far cheaper than the general public could imagine. Next time you hear about an aviation auction, especially at a scrapyard, go there with $100 and bring home an airplane for display.
Wings feel loose. That’s quite a sales pitch. Akin to a car seller telling you that the wheels often come off at highway speeds.
You first
Sensing to much looseness? He got to rattled and just had to poop. I’m sure the plane was just fine. Later……………..JIMMY
Jimmy hit the nail on the head. Scared pilot.
I’d be surprised if there is anything wrong with the plane other than the seat has most likely been soiled. She(the pilot) probably scarred the literal S**T out of herself, made up a story that she knew could not be confirmed without a major undertaking on the insurance companies part, got her insurance claim and walked away. She should have been investigated for insurance fraud.
Was this a factory assembled air frame or was it sold as a kit or even just plans? The guy never flew it again and recommends its use a a display. Seems he knows something more than is being said while leaving just a bit of mystery or hope for the dreamers; all with no promises. To me, that says it all. Anyone trying to fly this has some really huge cajones!!