The Condor K-10 Shoestring (originally known as the Ast Special and the Mercury Air Shoestring) was a Formula One Air Racing aircraft built by Carl and Vincent Ast to compete in the Cleveland National Air Races in 1949. It was a highly streamlined mid-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed tailwheel undercarriage. The mainwheels were covered with spats. The shoestring differed in approach to the 66 sq ft wing limitation, choosing a longer high aspect ratio tapered wing compared to the stubby wings of others.[1] The original aircraft (registered N16V) was extensively rebuilt in 1965 and 1974, and by that time had won fourteen first places, three second places and four third places.
| Shoestring | |
|---|---|
_Shoestring_N16V.jpg) | |
| Shoestring N16V awaiting restoration | |
| Role | Formula One Air Racing aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Mercury Air, Condor Aero for homebuilding |
| Designer | Rodney Kreimendahl |
| First flight | 1949 |
Design and development
Although the original design drawings appear to have been lost or destroyed, one of the aircraft's owners, John Anderson, had Piper engineer Landis Ketner make a completely new set from examination of the aircraft itself. These plans were used by Jim Strode to build a second aircraft, incorporating changes of his own including a completely new cowling design. This machine first flew on 15 July 1970 as Yellow Jacket (registration N88JS). Under the name Condor Aero, Ketner soon made the plans available to homebuilders.[2]
Variants
- K-10 Shoestring
- 1949 Original
- Condor Aero
- "Yellow Jacket"
Specifications (typical)
Data from Air Trails Summer 1971
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Length: 17 ft 8 in (5.38 m)
- Wingspan: 19 ft 0 in (5.79 m)
- Height: 4 ft 8 in (1.42 m)
- Empty weight: 565 lb (256 kg)
- Gross weight: 800 lb (362 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental C85 , 85 hp (64 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 240 mph (386 km/h, 210 kn)
- Rate of climb: 3,000 ft/min (15.2 m/s)
References
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