A Stitts Skycoupe Restoration Project

The Stitts Skycoupe is also known as Stitts SA7 D

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Work Session 8/11/2011

All,

Ulli and I enjoyed a few cooler days near Banner Elk this week. Especially nice was a visit to the Avery County airport (7A8) near Spruce Pine. The FBO manager there, Ryan Montague, is a local fellow who spent some years working on corporate jets and for airshow performers Patti Wagstaff and Dale Snodgrass (F-86). We'll look at organizing a Fly-Out on October 15th when their local EAA chapter plans a cookout at the airfield.

I understand from Terry that we made some important progress on the Skycoupe this past week:

1. Konrad and Terry picked up the new carburetor from Marvel-Schebler. Now its on to preparing the engine for its first start.

2. New inboard ribs were fabricated and one has been attached to the spar.

A few days ado I sent Ray Stits some pictures of our progress. He called me this morning, complimenting us on our careful work. He mentioned that the original SA-7A was painted red, and the prototype SA-7D (our plane) was white with sky blue. He promised to send a few pictures in case we want to duplicate the original color scheme. He said that in 1960, one could but a surplus O-290-G for $50, which is why the engine was so popular. Ray was on his way to Flabob airport to fly Young Eagle kids in his Cessna Skycatcher. His current tally is 1918 YE flights, he said.

Our next work session is planned for this coming Thursday, 8/18/2011. Hope to see you there.

Kent

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