The Condor K-10 Shoestring (originally known as the Ast Special and the Mercury Air Shoestring) was a Formula One Air Racing aircraft built by Carl and Vincent Ast to compete in the Cleveland National Air Races in 1949. It was a highly streamlined mid-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed tailwheel undercarriage. The mainwheels were covered with spats. The shoestring differed in approach to the 66 sq ft wing limitation, choosing a longer high aspect ratio tapered wing compared to the stubby wings of others.[1] The original aircraft (registered N16V) was extensively rebuilt in 1965 and 1974, and by that time had won fourteen first places, three second places and four third places.
Although the original design drawings appear to have been lost or destroyed, one of the aircraft's owners, John Anderson, had Piper engineer Landis Ketner make a completely new set from examination of the aircraft itself. These plans were used by Jim Strode to build a second aircraft, incorporating changes of his own including a completely new cowling design. This machine first flew on 15 July 1970 as Yellow Jacket (registration N88JS). Under the name Condor Aero, Ketner soon made the plans available to homebuilders.[2]
