Staib LB-1

The Staib LB-1 Special is a homebuilt aircraft design of Wilbur Staib.

LB-1
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Designer Wilbur Staib
Introduction 1949

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]

Specifications (Staib LB-1)

Data from Air Trails

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 15 ft (4.6 m)
  • Wingspan: 17 ft (5.2 m)
  • Height: 5 ft (1.5 m)
  • Wing area: 95 sq ft (8.8 m2)
  • Empty weight: 600 lb (272 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 17 U.S. gallons (64 L; 14 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental C-85 horizontally opposed piston aircraft engine
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Metal

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 96 kn (110 mph, 180 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 87 kn (100 mph, 160 km/h)
  • Stall speed: 48 kn (55 mph, 89 km/h)
  • Endurance: 2.5hr
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See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References
  1. "Wilbur Staib". Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  2. Gene Smith (Winter 1971). "A Diamond Rotorcraft in the Rough". Air Trails.
  3. Experimenter: 16. July 1955. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. "N5927V". Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  5. Gene Smith (Winter 1971). "A Diamond Rotorcraft in the Rough". Air Trails: 36.
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