[mwavesdave]

I've been given a project, a very old Byron Pitts. Overall, she's not in terrible shape. I've decided to completely strip down the aircraft, go over it all. I'll make any repairs/improvements, and then finish. It's currently got a Super Tigre 3000 for power. Not sure if I'll stick with that or not. End outcome will be to completely finish, RTF, then sell, to generate some badly needed funds for many other projects!

[mwavesdave]

If anyone's got experience with the Byron Pitts, I'd love any hints, tips, and suggestions! Thanks.

[cassat]

Sent you a PM Dave

[mwavesdave]

Got it, thanks! Just looking for any general info, always good to get other people's thoughts, especially with an airframe I know very little about!

[mwavesdave]

Couple of shots of the fuse. The belly had been previously damaged, and repairs attempted with spray foam. I've cut out the damaged area, and replacing with sheet 1/2 foamboard, it's easy to work with, and sands well. Once all the repairs are made, and final sanding is done, I'll re-glass the entire fuse.

[greghatt]

Just fly it when it's done dave! They are great flying airplanes. Many moons ago me and dad had one with a G38 on it. Also ask dad his opinions. He built 3 of them if I'm not mistaken.

[greghatt]

byron pitts

[Scrappy]

Subbed!!!! I have one of these to restore as well and will be watching with interest! Glow will make it easier as gas will eat the foam if any leaks out....

Iron Bay Models still carries some parts for this bird http://www.ironbaymodelcompany.com/

Mine has lots of little hangar rash from handling and storage but appears structurally okay but I plan on redoing the hinging and all the hard points. I will also look at fuel proofing the interior in case of a fuel leak as I am planning a gasser for it.

Alan

[Midair]

I remember well the Byron Originals kits from the 80's. I still have in storage an F-86 and a Mig 15 kit. They all seemed to fly quite well. Light weight foam and/or foam and fiberglass construction. Byron Originals was a real innovator with their injection molded foam parts. And, who can forget the annual "Striking Back" event that they hosted I was sorry to see them close shop. For nostalgia reasons I went and had a quick look at he Iron Bay website and was disappointed to learn that out of the 30+ aircraft that they offer, only four are in stock , not good.

Dave, good luck with the rebuild. Once you're finished, you may not want to part with it

Cheers,

Peter

[mwavesdave]

Keeping it is certainly an option, I'm having fun doing the repairs, and it's a complete aircraft, nothing wrong with the ST 3000, especially running on FAI. I also have a 50cc gasser, that's waiting for a plane! My plan for the inside is to clean it all out, sand, and then spray using a hobby airbrush, with Benjamin Moore Aura paint. It's water based, sprays amazingly well, with a bit of extender, and it's fuel proof!!! More belly repair done tonight, I'll post pics of the rest of the aircraft tomorrow, along with the repair work. I've always wanted something Byron, so this might be it. Tom, the owner, is hoping to raise funds for a set of electric retracts for the Yellow Aircraft 1/5th Spit that I'm building for him. EFlite has just released ones for that scale, so perfect timing. I'll just have to release some emergency aircraft funds! lol