Stiletto

[Gary Anderson]

Hi guys,

Well today was a great day. We took Mr. Stiletto for a spin. I'm using a Merco 61 for power plant, prop is a three blade 12/6. Engine running 7800 rpm's. Flying on 63' lines. Total weight of plane is 58 ounces. Lap time 5.1 seconds. The plane turns very smooth and very quick. I thought the Strega was a great ride. All I can say, if you haven't flown one of Mr. Les McDonald's Stiletto's. You need to find one and go for a ride, you won't want to come back. One gentleman is going to make an arc or arf? and it will be worth every penny you have to pay for her. The Stiletto is one of the greatest plane since cotton candy. I'm not sure about the smaller Stiletto, I'm flying the 660 version. I believe mine is a little heavy, compared to Les's planes, so if you can keep the weight closer to what Les's plane is, I believe the ride would even be better.

Mr. Les McDonald thank you for your great design, I'm really have a blast with her, Gary

[Richard Grogan]

Sounds really great Gary! Could you maybe post a little bigger pix, please??

[Randy Powell]

Gary,

Glad you like it! Something about flying a new plane is just cool.

[Gary Anderson]

Hi Randy,

I changed motors in the Stiletto, just had to try out the Double Star 61 Lite with Rear Exhaust. It changed the C/G some, I need to remove about an 1/2 ounce from the tail. The DS is a very nice engine, I ran her at 7800 rpm's and she just growled around the circle, never missed a beat. Plane loved the engine, the bad part is that I have to make a different engine cowl. Mr. Walter Hicks repitched a 12/6 three blade master airscrew prop for me to 12/8 and the prop worked perfect for the set up. Thank you Walter. I have around a dozen flights on my new Stiletto and love her. She turns a great corner, doesn't wave, yaw, just turns the corner. Don't even feel any different on the lines, seems to be the same pull level, climbing, diving, doing what we call square corners. I ask my spotter if he could see any trim issues. I'm sure there is, I'm just not good enough to see them. I guess if everything is working leave it a lone??? Thanks for listening to me rambling on about my new toy, I've never had anything like her, Gary

[anderson-ron]

Hi gary,

Your airplane is awesome dude!!!!  That ship really flies very well and the double star engine is awesome as well too.  Nice job on everything bro.

Ron

[john e. holliday]

Gary, the plane looks great.  Just don't do like I do and ding it.  Also I am glad you are comfortable with it.  I am sure there are little things to be trimmed out on both the plane and the pilot.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday

[Gary Anderson]

Hi guys,
Decided to try a good old super tigre 60 in my Stiletto today. I designed the plane for the Merco lite case engine and this engine has the same bolt pattern as the ST 60, the Double Star 61 RE shares the same bolt pattern. I wanted a little more nose weight so I used the big old ST muffler. I used the same prop for each engine, all three, the merco 61 lite case, the Double Star 61 RE and the ST 60 with the stock set up. The prop is a three blade 12/6 repitched bye Walter Hicks to a 12/8. I ran each engine around 7800 RPM'S. The plane like all the different engines, each engine ran very sweet and run time was close. I believe my ST 60 ran just a little longer. I made a seven ounce tank for the plane. The best run time I got out of all three engines was seven minutes and fifty-seven seconds. Mr. Frank Bowman reringed my ST 60 a couple of years ago and I've only got three flights on her. Yes, I bench run her a couple of times. I really like my Stiletto and I believe most all that has flown a Stiletto would tell you the same. Mr. Walter (builditright) is making a kit of this plane and if you want a real winner this plane  would be a very good choice. Mine weighs out at 58 ounces, probably heavy and yes my Merco 49 flys the pants off of her also. Just a great design and the next one I build will be a little lighter. My friend, Mr. Walter Hicks told me I have a winner and that was very nice of him to tell me that. He's an advanced flier, (that should be an expert). he does a very nice job flying his toys, (makes it look to easy, Ha Ha) Thank you for all your help Walter, Gary