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Shoestring K 10 Polecat
First place
winner and world speed record holder at the 1980 Cleveland
National Air Show Formula One race. The "Polecat" is a
Formula One racing airplane built in 1970 by Vince DeLuca of
Mira Leste, California. It is a copy of an earlier highly
successful racing aircraft called "Shoestring", which
initially flew in the 1949 Cleveland National Air Races.
The "Polecat"
is part of a group of airplanes that were officially called
the 190 Cubic Inch Class - indicating the maximum size
engine permitted. These tiny and relatively inexpensive
airplanes were first introduced at the 1947 Cleveland
National Air Races. They immediately became popular with
pilots and spectators alike.
When this
aircraft was built it was given the race number 93 and
originally called "Rickey Rat". It campaigned successfully
for several racing seasons and was then sold to John Parker
in California, who renamed the plane "Top Turkey". In 1980
it was purchased by Jack Venaleck of Madison, Ohio. For the
1980 racing season the craft was renamed the "Polecat".
The
"Polecat" is unrestored and appears exactly as it did in the
1980 Cleveland race.
22
It was
acquired by the Crawford Auto-Aviation Collections and
Display Committee and the Friends of the Frederick C.
Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum.
Type:
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Shoestring K-10 Single Seat Pylon Racer
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Powerplant:
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150 hp Continental 0-200-12
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Performance:
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Maximum speed Approx. 250 mph
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Weights:
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525 lb. empty; 800 lb. gross
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Dimensions:
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Span 18 ft. 9 in.; Length 17 ft. 9 in.
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