VH-ULA  Stits SA-6B Flut-R-Bug                                         (c/n 122/V6)

                              

                                 In the early days of Australian aviation there had been several examples of ultra light aircraft. One that
                                 comes to mind was VH-UKZ the Amsco Parasol Monoplane. The breed then tended to be somewhat
                                 frowned upon by DCA in the 1940s and early 50s, but around 1955 certain individuals evinced interest
                                 in building their own aircraft.   Following talks with the then Ultra Light Aircraft Association of Australia
                                 (later changed to the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia), standards for amateur-built aircraft were
                                 promulgated in Air Navigation Order (ANO) 100.18  'Ultra Light Category'.  This limited amateur built
                                 machines to a 1,200 lb auw maximum, with 75 hp maximum power and a a top landing speed of 45 mph.
                                 These limits were later greatly expanded.    Stits first Flut-R-Bug was the SA-5A which was a single seat
                                 design.  The SA-6B was a tandem seat advancement.  It was sold in pre-welded kit form.  This machine
                                 is credited with starting post war amateur-built aviation in Australia.  The original c/n (actually kit number)
                                 was changed when DCA's Vic/Tas Region allocated "V" numbers for home builts (other Regions had other
                                 prefixes).  The preceding five before VH-ULA  received its "V6" were permits for three Luton Minors,
                                 another Flut-R-Bug (VH-ULB) and a project which never got off the drawing board.
                                 My unconstrasty shot above of "Norm Hamilton's Stits" as the legend proclaims, was taken at Moorabbin
                                 in 1958.  Barry Maclean's image (below), taken almost fifty years on (2004) at Albury, NSW shows the
                                 diminutive machine wearing a very pleasing livery.   This aircraft was current on the register until recently
                                 (2007) although I am not sure of its present status.