Stolp Biplanes of New Zealand

There are several models of Stolp biplanes (and one parasol wing), of which we have had 2 examples in New Zealand. They were designed by Louis Stolp and George Adams, and all feature a distinctive turtle deck shape.

Of the 2 Stolp's that we have had in New Zealand, the oldest is the SA 100 Starduster. This has a wingspan of 19 feet (5.79 metres)- top wing, with the lower wing of lesser span, and a length of 16 feet 6 inches (5.03 metres). It has an empty weight of 700 pound (318 Kg) and a MAUW of 1080 pounds (490 Kg). The later SA 900 V Star is a lighter version.

The photos are from the Keith Morris collection unless otherwise noted.

Our first Stolp to be completed was the SA 900 V Star ZK-SAM (c/n AACA/437/1), which was built by Sam McNutt of Waipukurau, where I took this best-I-could-do-photo in an open front hangar. It was first registered on 23/10/81.

Unfortunately it was damaged in this accident (date and location unknown). This photo shows the colour scheme better and features a different registration location. It was sold to Neil Jepsen and Murray Smith of Palmerston North in a damaged state, and then sold on to Brett Emeny of Inglewood on 1/5/87. It was cancelled as withdrawn on 13/12/01.

It then re-appeared after obviously having been rebuilt, and was registered to Neil Jepsen of Palmerston North on 26/1/05. It is photo'd here at Wings over Wairarapa at Masterton in January 2009. It was sold to Bruce McLellan of Stratford in June 2009.

At the Black Sands flyin at Raglan in November 2009. It was sold to Michael Wilkins of Taupiri in August 2011.

There has been one other SA 900 V Star registered ZK-JAN to Jan Mortensen of Hikurangi, but this was not completed and the registration was cancelled on 12/3/93.

And to round out our Stolp population, SA 100 Starduster ZK-SDI (c/n 14) was imported by Alan Ryde of Rangiora and first registered on 22/1/08. It is ex N73R. Thanks to Blue Bus for the photo.