# Condor Shoestring

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{{Infobox aircraft
 |name=Shoestring
 |image=Mercury Air (Condor K-10) Shoestring N16V.jpg
 |caption=Shoestring N16V awaiting restoration
 |type=[Formula One Air Racing](/source/Formula_One_Air_Racing) aircraft
 |manufacturer=[Mercury Air](/source/Mercury_Air), [Condor Aero](/source/Condor_Aero) for homebuilding
 |designer=[Rodney Kreimendahl](/source/Rodney_Kreimendahl)
 |first_flight=[1949](/source/1949_in_aviation)
 |introduction=
 |retired=
 |status=
 |primary_user=
 |more_users=
 |produced=
 |number_built=
 |variants=
}}

The '''Condor K-10 Shoestring''' (originally known as the '''Ast Special''' and the '''Mercury Air Shoestring''') was a [Formula One Air Racing](/source/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.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Air Progress|date=November 1971|page=39}}</ref> 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.

==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.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Air Trails|date=Summer 1971|page=81}}</ref>

==Variants==
;K-10 Shoestring
:1949 Original
;Condor Aero 
:"Yellow Jacket" 

==Specifications (typical) ==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Air Trails Summer 1971
|prime units? = imp
|crew=One pilot
|length m=5.38
|length ft=17
|length in=8
|span m=5.79
|span ft=19
|span in=0
|height m=1.42
|height ft=4
|height in=8
|empty weight kg=256
|empty weight lb=565
|gross weight kg=362
|gross weight lb=800
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[Continental C85](/source/Continental_C85)
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->64
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->85
|max speed kmh=386
|max speed mph=240
|climb rate ms=15.2
|climb rate ftmin=3,000
}}

<!-- ==See also== -->
{{aircontent
<!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. -->
|related=<!-- related developments -->
|similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft -->
|lists=<!-- related lists -->
|see also=<!-- other relevant information -->
}}

==References==
{{Commons category}}
{{reflist}}
* {{cite book |last= Taylor |first= Michael J. H. |title=Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation |year=1989 |publisher=Studio Editions |location=London |pages=256 }}
* {{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1977-78 |publisher=Jane's Yearbooks |location=London |pages=532–33 }}
* {{cite journal |last=Davisson |first=Budd |date=November 1971 |title=Yellow Jacket: Son of Shoestring |journal=Air Progress }}

Category:1940s United States sport aircraft
Category:Homebuilt aircraft
Category:Mid-wing aircraft
Category:Aircraft first flown in 1949

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Condor Shoestring](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condor_Shoestring) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condor_Shoestring?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.