• Welcome to BiplaneHangar.com, the only FREE online community 100% dedicated to biplanes and the people that love them!

    You create the content here, you shouldn't have to pay to access it! Take a look around, register and jump right in when you're ready.

    PLEASE NOTE: New account verification emails are being sent to SPAM folders, please check there after registering if you feel you haven't received a verification email.

    There is a Contact Us link at the bottom of every page if you have a question about BiplaneHangar.com.

    Thank you and WELCOME!

Stolp Starduster Too Rebuild Project

Bartman

Bartman

Staff member
Location
New Jersey, USA
A Stolp Starduster Too project followed me home today! A gentleman by the name of Joe Fasano listed it for free on Facebook last week and I happened to be in touch with him already about a Scott tailwheel he was selling. So I sent him a text asking about the project, he said it's available, I said I'll be there in an hour, he said come tomorrow, I said ok! Joe's only about 30 miles from me so it was an easy drive and an easy decision to take him up on his offer of a free Starduster Too project.

I guess Joe had a little mishap and damaged the gear. There's a scuff under one lower wing wingtip and the standard bungee gear have been replaced with spring gear. I figure if I'm going to restore this Starduster Too, I'd like it to be more like what they looked like back in the 70's and 80's when this was a popular design for homebuilders.

The project came with a 6 cylinder Franklin engine, I didn't even know Franklin made a six cylinder engine, so I'll have to do some research and decide if the engine will stay with the plane or if it will be swapped out for something more common like a 225 hp IO-470. I don't plan to put inverted fuel or oil in it so the IO-470 seems like a safe, reliable option.

There are a few damaged ribs in the wings which ought to be easy enough to repair and the flying wires and struts are all there so the wings and tailfeathers should mostly involve fabric and paint.

That's about it for now, I'm bogged down with other projects so this might not get started until after Jan 1 but I'll be chewing on it in my head, planning and trying to figure out what I'm going to need and what part of the project should come first, probably the main landing gear.

IMG_5126.webpIMG_5129.webpIMG_5127.webpIMG_5128.webpIMG_5120.webp
 
Last edited:
Congrats, nice find and you’re the right guy to help it into its next chapter. Pull that Franklin and offer it out to the Stinson community, very desirable upgrade and it’s on the TCDS for the 108-3. Just steer clear of Airworx as you delve into the Franklin world. I owned a Franklin 165 and they run well, but not something I’d want to operate regularly at this point.

What about an IO-360? Rebuild it light and 200ish hp would be sufficient and economical?
 
Thanks for the info!

These are the pictures I can't get out of my head, Kris Garrity's Ranger powered Starduster Too

1761409912469.webp

1761410038728.webp


His was lost in a shop fire but the lines are beautiful and the longer nose helps visually balance the large vertical stab, IMHO. It would be a cool challenge to do it this way. The practical side of me is saying to find a 225hp IO-470 somewhere and just put it on there. Either way, the design does better with a heavier engine (or a really long mount) so there are options. If I can get the gear and engine sorted out, it'll just be a matter of fabric and paint before it's flying again.
 
I have to get back to the hangar and read the data plate. The day we moved it we were focused on not dropping it! It's got six cylinders and a solid prop flange. It might have had a prop strike when the landing gear were damaged so checking runout will be a priority also.
 
sully said:
Nothing wrong with a Franklin.
Which engine is it? People used to put 220 franklin's in 172's
Click to expand...
They’re great engines and make nice power, but parts are getting harder to find every year. Cylinders are sleeved and doubtful anyone thought they’d be overhauled multiple times. They’re also highly intolerant of lead, so unless you have an ethanol free mogas source you’ll be buying a lot of TCP to keep the valves happy
 
Bartman said:
Thanks for the info!

These are the pictures I can't get out of my head, Kris Garrity's Ranger powered Starduster Too

View attachment 173
View attachment 174

His was lost in a shop fire but the lines are beautiful and the longer nose helps visually balance the large vertical stab, IMHO. It would be a cool challenge to do it this way. The practical side of me is saying to find a 225hp IO-470 somewhere and just put it on there. Either way, the design does better with a heavier engine (or a really long mount) so there are options. If I can get the gear and engine sorted out, it'll just be a matter of fabric and paint before it's flying again.
Click to expand...
Updraft engines always look sharp with the slender cowl and in line exhausts, very sharp
 
Vick said:
They’re great engines and make nice power, but parts are getting harder to find every year. Cylinders are sleeved and doubtful anyone thought they’d be overhauled multiple times. They’re also highly intolerant of lead, so unless you have an ethanol free mogas source you’ll be buying a lot of TCP to keep the valves happy
Click to expand...
Saw this on FB this evening, coincidentally

1761528112767.webp
 
Took another look at the landing gear, it looks like the donor spring gear were sectioned to reduce their length and then welded back together! It also looks like a lot of extra steel was welded in in an attempt to brace the frame for the spring gear. The gear is too rigidly mounted to the frame, without radius blocks that help prevent twisting of the longerons when the gear is flexing.

I've got to order a set of drawings and see what the plans gear legs look like. This will be on the front burner as soon as I get a couple of other projects done.


IMG_5190.webpIMG_5191.webpIMG_5192.webpIMG_5193.webp
 
Last edited:
Sent in the registration yesterday knowing the N number is on another airplane so we’ll see how the FAA handles that.

Went today to look at a Fairchild 24R project in NJ, figured I could use the engine and sell the rest but it was a lot more than one airplane and the engines were rough. Nice nose bowl though but he wouldn’t sell it! Lol

IMG_5216.webpIMG_5222.webp
 
Submitted a registration application to the FAA a couple of months ago to see if I'd be able to get it registered. They didn't say no!

The old registration was expired and the N number had been given to another owner. I sent in the application using the old N number and got a response today asking for either a reserved N number to use or permission for them to assign the next available.

I'm going to look to see what I can come up with and ask for something specific but it's good to know I'll be able to register it!

Going to jump right into it as soon as the Model 12 is flying which ought to be soon. :)
 
It's official! Received an email from the FAA yesterday with temporary registration attached! New registration is N420GT, it'll make sense if/when I ever get the fabric and paint done, I'm thinking a nice 70's inspired theme will be fun. :)
 
Congrats, I just joined this awesome forum because I failed to be born with two wings, especially Starduster-shaped. I love the Ranger powered Starduster above, there's been a few but is that the one they called Rangeduster? There's a round engine on your avatar, is that your Starduster? My eyes fail. Beautiful birds. When you say 70s inspired are we talking Smokey and the Bandit or other... :)

Bartman said:
It's official! Received an email from the FAA yesterday with temporary registration attached! New registration is N420GT, it'll make sense if/when I ever get the fabric and paint done, I'm thinking a nice 70's inspired theme will be fun. :)
Click to expand...
 
The avatar is a Pitts Model 12, I’ve had it for about two years.

The Rangeduster is super nice, really has a nice look with the Ranger engine.

Not sure about the 70’s scheme. I tend towards the traditional schemes but maybe some 70’s flair in it somehow. We’ll see!

Welcome!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top