Stewart S-51 "Lil Beautiful Doll"?

[Rob Mears]

Does anyone recall this superb little 70% scale V-8 powered Mustang at the 2000 EAA Air Venture show in Oshkosh? I lost my hard drive a few years back, and with it went all of my EAA 2000 photos. I'd love to see some pics of this plane again if someone has some to share. I believe Mike VadBonCoeur at Midwest Aero built it for a customer, and it was for sale at one point shortly thereafter for $300K.

[Bill Greenwood]

I don't have photos of that Stewart 51, but I d recall looking at and admiring it. I sort of have a memory that Elliot Cross may have been the pilot/test pilot for that plane or one like it.

I'd sure like to fly one.

Some of the replica fighters have had cooling problems when using auto engine conversions, don't know about the Stewart. I am not sure about the Stewart, but some similar ones, I think, may have had problems with sort ot being a one off type and not having all the parts readily available.

They look pretty good in my opinion.

Of course the disadvantage is that you have to build it, and it is going to be high performance enough that the design and assembly needs to be first rate to be safe.

[bdk]

I remember Eliot Cross flying the S-51 prototype at Oshkosh, but I don't think it had any special markings on it besides stars and bars.

[mustang66]

Hi,
I found this site on Google, it's a nice picture of a Stewart S-51 "Lil Beautiful Doll"
http://flatheadyouthaviation.org/stewar ... stang:6895
Hope this is what you're looking for!

[mlenoch]

They fly like a homebuilt. The cockpit & systems are homebuilt style.
Looking out the window, you'd think you were in a warbird.
Nice performance, though.
VL

[Bill Greenwood]

Hey, Vlado the snow is on the ground, the sun is out in a blue sky and I am watching people skiing down Aspen mountain. It is a special day, pre opening for members of the local ski race club. In the past when I was younger I used to be an active member and would take advantage of this. I am not sure how many hours my knee has left before TBO. Let's go make a few turns together.

Have you ever flown one of the Thunder Mustangs? I was pretty impressed by my one brief experience. It seemed to handle well, really does have performance not too far off a real 51. And it is a Lot cooler inside. Just doesn't have the same lovely sound though.

[mlenoch]

Arrghhhh........snow & blue skies.....I'm being tortured!! (Thx for the ski update!!)

I've only flown a Stewart, not the Thunder. Yes, the sound is what's missing.
When they approach from a distance, the shape is recognizable - but then the sound is just off for one's expectations!

Thx again,
VL