Comedian
THE COMEDIAN is an excellent flying plane that has evolved from a series of models built and flown over the past six years. Its lines lay somewhere between a modern home-built and the classics of the thirties. The Comedian should appeal to those who like to scratch build from magazine plans. Not only is scratch building an enjoyable part of the hobby for many, but it is a good way to save some change, too. Several comparable biplane kits are now available. Their prices range from $80 to well over $100. The Comedian costs less than $45 to build, which includes all wood, fittings, and finishing material.
The Ryan St-A
For those that like 'em big, a dream model of a dream airplane-the Air Force PT-16 trainer and winner of the International Aerobatic Championship in 1937. For the Du-Bro Prop Drive, it is a project for advanced builders only but its docile flight is equivalent to that of a pattern trainer. In 1933, T. Claude Ryan formed the second airplane company bearing his name, in San Diego, in order to design and produce a new sport and trainer type aircraft. On June 8, 1934, the Ryan ST (Sport Trainer) first flew, and in remarkably short time (on 6-29-34) received ATC number 541. The Ryan ST was a slender, wire-braced monoplane using the Menasco B-4 95-hp engine. Fuselage construction was a monocoque structure built up of rather heavy gauge sheet aluminum. The two open cockpits were small and chummy, but well-protected by large, curved windshields. The wing had wood spars and metal ribs and was fabric covered. It was wire braced to the fuselage and landing gear structure. As a trainer, performance was considered "hot" so that flaps extending to one half the wing span were employed to reduce landing speeds.
