Built by Otto Sorrell, probably in the 1950s, the Sorrell Colt was a single-place, open cockpit biplane, powered by a 65hp Continental A-65.

The 1961 Sorrell Nieuport 17C, N17C Serial Number 1, is a three-quarter scale replica of WW1 Nieuport 17C.

The single-seat aircraft received an Airworthiness Certificate on 26 May 1964.

It was later registered to Wild Blue Aero Squadron LLC, Indianapolis, IN, USA.

Engine: 40hp Salmson AD-9
Wingspan: 21’9″
Length: 15’3″
Useful load: 325 lb
Max speed: 99 mph
Cruise: 75 mph
Seats: 1

Satisfied with the lightweights, the Sorrells in 1967 constructed a sturdier negative-stagger single-place biplane powered with a converted 125 hp GPU by Lycoming. It had a streamlined fuselage profile with the windshield fairing right down to the spinner and no tapering of the side frames at the tail. Unusual was the method of mounting up – lift the rear portion of the skylight, climb up on top of the fuselage and slide down into the single seat.

Registered N3717 and named “Biggy Rat” by a younger Sorrell with an artistic bent, with the 125 hp and a very thin (10%) airfoil, “Biggy Rat” could cruise at 130 mph indicated – and could still operate with relative ease out of their 900 ft. cul-de-sac airport.

With a beefier structure and adequate power, John and Mark were able to indulge themselves in some aerobatics. “Biggy Rat” is very light on the controls – even touchy – and has done with ease all that has been asked of it in its 160+ hours of flying time.

The Sorrell SNS-4 N2026 fuselage is 4130 tube and is of constant width from nose to tail. The aft end squeezes down – from the top and bottom – and ends with a fuselage-wide elevator with an adjustable trim tab in the center. Two separate, fixed, horizontal stabilizer panels are attached to each side of the fuselage and are wire braced to the vertical fin. In early test flights the original fin proved too small for good directional control, so it was enlarged and supplemented by a small dorsal fin.

The equal span, constant chord wings are of all-wood construction. Each panel has three spars and no internal bracing – everything is kept square by a 1/8 in. plywood covering. The front spar is actually the leading edge, contoured to match the thin 10 percent airfoil. The top wing panels are attached to fittings on the upper fuselage longerons and the lower panels to the lower longerons with a doubled set of tie rods to take flying and landing loads.

The tie rod attach fittings are located inside the wing and inside the fuselage to minimize drag as much as possible. As the photos indicate, a wide “I” strut completes the wing truss geometry.

The top wings have narrow chord, full span ailerons and the lower panels full span flaps. Between the seats in the cabin is a Volkswagen parking brake lever – just where it is in a Beetle. With the lever all the way down the flaps and ailerons are in their normal, in-trail position; pull the lever up a notch and both the flap and aileron come down – the flap just twice as far as the aileron. Wiggle the stick and the ailerons work as usual in their lowered position. Another tug up on the lever results in more aileron droop and, again, twice as much flap, etc. until full travel is reached. Press the release button in the end of the lever and push it all the way down to take off all flap and aileron droop – or stop anywhere desired. The VW lever allows almost infinite-choice positioning – all push-rod actuated. It allows approach at 85 and touch down at 55 to 60 mph – its stall speed.

Mark Sorrell says that at the stall the wings obviously quit flying but the plane hangs on in a squirmy, squirrely fashion for a few more seconds – which he feels is the last gasp of the lift generated by the fuselage. When the little bird finally does quit, the remainder of the stall is docile and recovery is normal.

SNS-4 is powered b ya 125 hp GPU and cruises at 130 mph. The Lycoming fuel is from a main fuselage tank located between the panel and firewall. It has a capacity of 17 gallons which backed by an aux tank holding 11, makes 28 total.

The engine installation requires a shaft extension to get the metal prop as far out into undisturbed air as possible – and away from the cowling/windshield – for better efficiency.

The SNS-4 has fiberglas wheel pants that are constant in width. These wide pants allow the brakes to be enclosed. The brakes, are Montgomery Ward go-cart mechanicals.

SNS-4 is covered with ceconite and is white with a simple trim. The skylight – 1/8 in. plexiglas – is tinted green.

Completed on 12 July 1969, SNS-4 plans were never made available.

Sorrell SNS-4 – N2026
Engine: Lyc. 0-290-G, 125 hp
Span: 21 ft 0 in
Length: 17 ft 0 in
Empty Weight: 818 Ib
Max. Weight: 1328 Ib
Fuel Cap: 28 gal.
Cruise Speed: 130 mph
Stall Speed: 55 – 60 ind.
Seats: 2