SA300 Starduster Too 45,000For Sale Starduster Too IO540 250hp

G-KEEN presents a rare opportunity to acquire the only big engine Stolp Starduster Too SA300 in the UK being equipped with a 250hp IO540 rather than the more typical 180hp O360 variants. KEEN is equipped with a Hartzell Constant speed prop, inverted fuel and oil systems as well as a smoke system and has only flown 80hrs since she was fully rebuilt in 2018 having always been hangered since.

She would make a fantastic display machine given the striking colour scheme, smoke system, noise and excess power and is very forgiving in the air and on ground unlike a Pitts.

KEEN was originally homebuilt in the USA in 1971 and first came to the UK in 1978 initially operating with a Lycoming 0-435 before being replaced with an IO540 in 1984. She became a well known aircraft on the UK display scene in the 1980s and 1990s featuring a variety of striking colour schemes.

The previous owner acquired the aircraft 1997 and flew her for several years before commencing a full rebuild which was completed in 2018. I then purchased the aircraft in 2022 and enlisted the help of Starduster legend Jim McTaggart to make a number of improvements to the aircraft and carry out the LAA aerobatic test flying acceptance which was completed in August 2024.

KEEN comes with a vast documented history including an extensive folder of receipts covering the rebuild from which its clear no expense was spared. The engine Zero Time was completed by Flight Power Services and the full engine inspection report is available, the Propeller was Zero timed by Brinkley with both having flown approx. 80hrs since.

G-KEEN Features the following:

TTAF 1080 hrs, 80hrs since complete rebuild completed in 2018
Engine LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 TTE 80hrs since zero time
HARTZELL HC-C2YR-4CF TT 80hrs since zero time
Aerobatic Approval in place
Full inverted oil system
Smoke system
Strobe and Nav lights
Cushions trimmed in Italian leather
Reinforced fuselage as per LAA requirements
Gun drilled grove spring gear leg
Upgraded and strengthened engine frame as per LAA requirements
Trig TY91 radio
Stand alone 2 place intercom
MGL Vega for temp, pressure, voltage and CHTs
Backup analogue Oil pressure gage.
G-meter
Storage locker in rear headrest
Dual flight and engine controls in both front and rear cockpits
Full set of cockpit and wing covers
Awesome take off and climb performance!

Real World Performance figures:
Designed to +/- 6g (reduced to +/-5 in the UK)
Cruise 140mph IAS at 23/23 (65%) burning 13gph
Cruise 150mph IAS at 24/24 (75%) burning 16gph
Climb 2000fpm+
Stall 50mph with power, 56mph power off
Approach 80mph
VNE 180mph (reduced from 200mph prior to aerobatic approval, its likely this can now be reinstated)
Main tank 104 litres giving approx. 2hrs endurance
Ferry Tank in top wing 54 litres giving additional 1 hr endurance

KEEN also comes with a custom made metal front cockpit cover which can be used to replace the front cockpit windshield when only single seat flying is required and typically adds around 5-7mph to cruise speeds.

Unfortunately due to the large engine KEEN is only cleared by the LAA for single seat aerobatics though has plenty of useable weight for non aerobatic flying with a passenger and is still an exhilarating experience for most!

Aircraft empty weight is 1456lbs
Max Gross (non aerobatic) 1985lbs

Fresh permit just completed and now valid until end April 2026.

Only for sale due to purchase of another aircraft, she is currently hangered at EGPT Perth in Scotland and available for any inspection.

Asking GBP 45,000.