The VM-7 Competitor was built by Dick Murphy. As with any new design, changes were anticipated. Surprisingly only minor modifications were needed in the original design.
Items such as the aileron air gap was reconfigured to improve the roll rate. The control stick was repositioned, and the stick forces lightened. Due to engine modification the propeller was also changed from a constant speed Hartzel to a fixed pitch metal prop.
In the July 1979 issue of Sport Aerobatics, Dick was looking for a good unlimited pilot, who could realize the airplane's potential. Beside Patty Davies, who was working with the plane and "doing quite well", research has not uncovered what became of the plane or if there are any others in existence. If you have knowledge of where the plane is today, please contact editor@iac.org .
Read the article - PDF attached at the bottom of this page.
