Stewart 51 Partner LLC
August News and Events
I have posted photographs of the partially completed kit we have for sale in Montgomery.  Please see the "Fast Build Kit for Sale" section.  Had a gentleman from California and a gentleman from Norway come to Montgomery to inspect.  More in the "Fast Build Kit for Sale" section.
First Rib Block

After at least three years of study and debate and preparation, we cut our first new rib block tool the last week of August.  This photo was taken by Rod Dill, who developed the SolidWorks programming that fed the CNC machine that carved this block.

 

We have commissioned 52 new rib blocks.  These new blocks will be used in the hydro-forming process to manufacture our new kits and supply repair parts for those who might need them.  Cutting these new blocks is a real milestone for our bringing the kit back into production.

 
G Verification
We are taking Doll to Reno.
 
Dave Morss, who has more laps at Reno than anyone flying, has been talking with us about the possibility of taking Doll out to Reno for a run in the Sport Class.  The S-51 was not designed to be a race plane, and we don't anticipate setting any speed records, but we do think it will be a great learning experience for the S-51, and it sure will sound good!  There is some risk to running the plane in a race environment, but the other planes are airplanes, and the S-51 is an airplane, so we figured we'd try it.
 
Doll spent a good bit of time in Bartow off and on during August as we changed a few things in preparation for the Reno trip.  We put stronger brakes on her, leaned the seat back a little further, moved the trim switch, switched out some engine gauges, added some navigation equipment, and other items.
 
The photo above is a shot I took of the G meter, backing up the earlier (Oshkosh) 4.5 G pull executed by Dave as part of the criteria for qualifying at Reno.  I repeated the pull and photographed it as further verification.
Part of our prep for Reno involved going back through the control system, looking for any loose play or slack in the controls.  Here, we are checking the balance on the left aileron.
Here, Doll is torn down in Bartow as we go through the pre-Reno items. 

Harry Stenger tugs Doll out for a run.

 

 
We got Doll put back together and ferried her up to Pensacola on Thursday September 3rd.  We'll leave PNS Wednesday morning, the 9th, headed west.  If we get there, and if we qualify to race, we'll be the first Stewart S-51 to make an appearance at the National Championship Air Races.