Pitts Samson
{{Short description|American aerobatic aircraft}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = Pitts Samson
| image = File:PH-UWE Pitts Samson II FPF Langenfeld 2.jpg
| image_caption = Wolf Samson II, a modernized Pitts Samson replica
| aircraft_type = Aerobatic biplane
| national_origin = United States
| manufacturer =
| designer = Curtis Pitts
| first_flight = 1948
| primary_user =
| more_users =
| introduction =
| retired =
| number_built = 1
| status = Destroyed
| unit cost =
| developed_from = Pitts Special
| variants =
}}
The Pitts Samson was an aerobatic biplane designed by Curtis Pitts in 1948.
Design and development
The Samson was designed for aerobatic pilot Jess Bristow.{{Cite web|title=Pitts Samson|url=http://all-aero.com/index.php/contactus/54-planes-p-q-e-r-s/17361-pitts-samson|access-date=2021-05-27|website=all-aero.com}} It was a larger variant of the earlier Pitts Special, built using war surplus parts. It had an open cockpit and was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial engine.{{Cite web|last=Eyre|first=David|date=May 8, 2019|title=Pitts Samson|url=https://aeropedia.com.au/content/pitts-samson/|access-date=May 27, 2021|website=Aeropedia}}
Operational history
In 1952, the sole Samson, registered N52137, suffered a mid-air collision and crash landed, being destroyed in the resulting fire. Pilot Buddy Rogers was uninjured.
Replicas
Wolf Aircraft built a replica of the Samson in 1985. Like the original, the replica was powered by a 450 hp R-985 Wasp Junior. This aircraft was also destroyed in a mid-air collision in 2005, killing pilot Bobby Younkin and his airshow partner Jimmy Franklin.{{Cite web|date=2009-10-21|title=Wolf Samson|url=http://www.shanaberger.com/wolf_samson.htm|access-date=2021-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021033727/http://www.shanaberger.com/wolf_samson.htm|archive-date=2009-10-21}}{{Cite web|title=Samson Biplane Replica to Return to the Airshow Circuit|url=http://www.flyingmag.com/samson-biplane-replica-to-return-to-airshow-circuit/|access-date=2021-05-27|website=Flying|date=24 April 2018 |language=en}}
Wolf Aircraft built a second Samson replica in 2005 for the company's founder, Steve Wolf, who sold it to a German pilot shortly after it was completed. The aircraft, referred to as "Samson II",{{Cite web|title=Aircraft Data N985TJ, Wolf Sampson II C/N WS-002|url=https://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N985TJ.html|access-date=2021-05-27|website=www.airport-data.com}} is of a modified design, with the fuselage being a foot shorter than the original and featuring ailerons on the top wing. The aircraft was eventually bought by American pilot Tim Just under the registration N985TJ, and was reportedly involved in an accident on May 20, 2018, in which it lost control on landing and came to rest inverted, though the pilot was uninjured.{{Cite web|title=Pitts Samson, N985TJ: Accident occurred May 20, 2018 at Apple Valley Airport (KAPV), San Bernardino County, California|url=http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2018/05/pitts-samson-n985tj-accident-occurred.html|access-date=2021-05-27}}
Steve Wolf built a third Samson replica as the "Samson Mite". The Samson Mite is a 75% scale version of the original Wolf Samson replica and was originally powered by a {{Convert|150|hp|kW|abbr=on}} Rotec R3600 engine driving a {{Convert|86|in|cm|abbr=on}} Whirl Wind propeller.{{Cite web |date=May 2017 |title=The Story of Samson |url=https://oregonaviation.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/oahs-may-2017pages.pdf |website=Oregon Aviation Historical Society}}{{Cite web |last=Horton |first=Dan |date=2016-04-08 |title=Samson Mite |url=https://www.kitplanes.com/samson-mite/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=KITPLANES |language=en-US}} The aircraft has a wing area of {{Convert|110|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} and features ailerons on the bottom wings. The Samson Mite was debuted during the 2017 Sun 'n Fun airshow, and as of October 2018 the original Rotec engine was replaced with a {{Convert|168|hp|kW|abbr=on}} Verner Motor unit.{{Cite web |date=2018-10-02 |title=Showing off the Samson Mite — General Aviation News |url=https://generalaviationnews.com/2018/10/02/showing-off-the-samson-mite/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=generalaviationnews.com |language=en-US}}
B & R Aviation began construction of a Samson replica for Pip Borrman in 2000. This replica was of a modernized design, featuring metal and carbon fiber construction, the airfoil of a Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing, and the control surfaces of a Pitts Model 11 "Super Stinker". It was powered by a fuel injected R-985 Wasp Junior which drove a MT propeller. The aircraft, registered VH-EAB, was completed in 2008. At approximately 14:30 on February 25, 2009, Borrman's Samson suffered an engine failure and crashed while practicing for the following month's Australian International Airshow, destroying the aircraft and killing Borrman.{{Cite web|last=Ranter|first=Harro|title=Accident Pitts Samson VH-EAB, 25 Feb 2009|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=58803|access-date=2021-05-27|website=aviation-safety.net}}
Specifications (Samson)
{{Aircraft specs
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|wing area sqm=17.18
|wing area sqft=185
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|aspect ratio=5.76
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|empty weight kg=862
|empty weight lb=1,900
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=1,212
|gross weight lb=2,671
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|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior
|eng1 type=nine-cylinder radial engine
|eng1 kw=336
|eng1 hp=450
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|cruise speed kmh=290
|cruise speed mph=180
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|power/mass=5.86 lb/hp
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See also
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References
{{Commonscat|Pitts Samson}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Aircraft designed by Curtis Pitts}}
Category:1940s United States sport aircraft
Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft
Category:Aircraft first flown in 1948