CanyonAg77 said:
AggieBand2004 said:
Goose said:
Reminds me of the Christen Eagle flying group that made the airshow rounds when I was young
I believe that the Christensen Eagle was supposed to be a superior version of a Pitts.
Quote:
"We set out to produce a two-place aerobatic aircraft that could compete effectively with the Pitts S-2A as a result of better aerobatic performance, handling, appearance, comfort and convenience. The second objective was to develop a kit system by which the aircraft could be built in limited time by anyone with reasonable mechanical aptitude using only hardware store tools.
https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/perspectives-homebuilding/frank-christensen-and-kit-plane-revolution/
It was most definitely designed and produced to compete with Pitts, but as a more versatile airplane for noncompetitive pilots rather than the purpose built nature of the Pitts. As far as "better" is concerned it probably depends more on what the owner/pilot wanted out of their airplane with regards to performance, comfort, forgiveness, and ease-of-construction.
At the time the Pitts was the dominant force in competitive aerobatics, and everybody with a pulse wanted one, but they had a very well-earned reputation as being an airplane you had to really respect at all times, but particularly on the ground. It's all a trade off of course, planes designed specifically for that purpose are inherently unstable, have big engines, higher wing loadings, a little higher stall speeds (ergo landing speeds), etc., all of which sacrifice a ton in other areas. The Christen Eagle was an absolute home-run at the time (if one could afford one) in that it gave recreational pilots, who had plenty of money, a plane that could be "assembled" instead of "built", was more forgiving, performed very well...and was guaranteed to turn heads at every fuel stop they'd ever make. (The paint scheme was absolutely f'ing brilliant)