| National origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Designer | Wilbur Staib |
| Introduction | 1949 |
The Staib LB-1 Special is a homebuilt aircraft design of Wilbur Staib.
Design and development
Wilbur Staib (1914–1993) was a self-taught aircraft designer from Diamond, Missouri. Staib served as a flight instructor during the Second World War at Chanute, Kansas flying PT-14s. He designed and built five different "LB" (Little Bastard) aircraft and a helicopter, of which several had the title "world's smallest". He flew his aircraft in air shows with the title "The Diamond Wizard".[1]
The LB-1 was a single engine, open cockpit biplane with conventional landing gear. The low-cost construction included using brazed steel bedspring wire for wing-ribs, and bed-sheet muslin covering. The airfoil was patterned on a Taylorcraft BC-12D. The aircraft used three fuel tanks: one in the headrest, one in the baggage compartment and one against the firewall.[2] The red and white checkerboard-painted aircraft was outfitted with a smoke system for air show work.[3]
Operational history
Staib used the LB-1 to perform on the pro-akro circuit, performing stunts such as inverted ribbon cuts. His LB-1 was comparable to the Pitts Special flown by Betty Skelton at the same shows. The aircraft performed from 1949 to 1952. The prototype was registered as late as 1990.[4][5]
References
- ^ "Wilbur Staib". Retrieved 16 January 2012.
- ^ Gene Smith (Winter 1971). "A Diamond Rotorcraft in the Rough". Air Trails
- ^ Experimenter. July 1955.
- ^ "N5927V". Retrieved 16 January 2012.
- ^ Gene Smith (Winter 1971). "A Diamond Rotorcraft in the Rough". Air Trails