Pitts Model 12
| Pitts Model 12 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Factory-built Pitts 12S | |
| Role | Biplane |
| National origin | United States of America |
| Manufacturer | Jim Kimball Enterprises |
| Designer | Curtis Pitts |
| First flight | March 1996 |
| Number built | 59 (2011)[1] |
| Unit cost |
US$47,995 for the Kit, US$180,000 plus for factory built examples in 2004. |
The Pitts Model 12, as called "Bolshoi", "Macho Stinker" and "Pitts Monster"[2] is a high performance aerobatic biplane designed around the Vedeneyev M14P/PF engine. The aircraft can be built from plans or as a kitplane; or can be bought ready-to-fly from the factory.[3]
Design and development
The Pitts model 12 was designed by Curtis Pitts starting in 1993. Pitts presented his completed design on his 80th birthday in December 1995.[4]
The Pitts Model 12 is a biplane built using fabric covered welded steel tubing for the fuselage, and fabric covered wings with wood spars. The leading edge is made of formed plywood. The landing gear is solid aluminum.
Operational history
By December 2011 59 examples had been completed and flown.[1]
Variants
There are several models variants
- Plans built
- HP model - Kit
- Model 12S - factory built
- A single place variant has been constructed by Jim Kimball Enterprises called "The Beast".[5]
Specifications (Pitts Model 12)
Data from Pitts model 12.com
General characteristics
- Capacity: 2
- Length: 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m)
- Wingspan: 23 ft (7.0 m)
- Empty weight: 1,550 lb (703 kg)
- Gross weight: 2,250 lb (1,021 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 54 gal
- Powerplant: 1 × Vedeneyev M14P/PF , 360 hp (270 kW)
- Propellers: 3-bladed MT Propeller
Performance
- Cruise speed: 148 kn; 274 km/h (170 mph)
- Stall speed: 56 kn; 103 km/h (64 mph)
- Rate of climb: 2,900 ft/min (15 m/s)
References
- 1 2 Vandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 58. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ↑ Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 207. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
- ↑ Kitplanes. June 2004. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "Pitts Model 12 History". Retrieved 23 August 2011.
- ↑ "Beast Airshows". Retrieved 23 August 2011.
External links
Media related to Pitts Model 12 at Wikimedia Commons