What the Spitfire is amongst WW2 fighters, is the Pitts amongst aerobatic aircraft. It was developed in the forties by Mr. Curtis Pitts upon a request by female aerobatic pilot Betty Skelton. Her Pitts 'Little Stinker' became a well-known aircraft across the United States and Curtis Pitts had to start producing the single seater in series. The S-1 was soon joined by the two-seat S-2 and both aircraft gradually obtained more powerful engines. A reverse development of the S-2 was the single seat S-2S. Despite its 50-year old basic design, the Pitts remains in limited production today and still ranks amongst the world's most capable aerobatic aircraft.

Single seat S-2 OO-BAB.

Unfortunately, this aircraft was involved in a fatal crash just one week after this photograph was taken. The pilot probably had a heart attack while performing aerobatics at an airshow, evidently losing control over the aircraft.

Pitts S-2 Special Special...

Let's face it : even though the basic Pitts is a very capable aerobatic aircraft, there is always room for improvement. This Australian example has been modified quite extensively...

(pictures used by kind permission of Darryl Gibbs, CNAPG)