Well, I'm back at it again, and have enough plans to keep me at this machine for a week. I'd like to thank Dick Garmhausen for pinch hitting for me during my domestic difficulties. I have them almost all sorted out now and it's back to airplanes, airplanes, airplanes. I have rented an apartment with a full basement and the airplane factory is back in full production. For those who are interested, my new address and phone number are: Chuck Spencer, IMAA 821, 6301 Frank N' Dot Court #6, Lansing, Ml 48917, Phone: 1-517-321-8173. Enough chit chat, let's get to it!

The first plan set is Gene DeCook of DGA Designs. If you are tired of seeing all the Cubs and Aeroncas at every meet and want something different, that flies the same as the Cubs and Aeroncas, but looks better, then I suggest you avail yourself of a set of Gene Decook's AKRON FUNK. It's a sexy looking job with inverted four cylinder in-line engine and wheel pants and is in 1/5 scale. Still the wing span is 84 inches so you qualify for an IMAA Get Together. Gene says the prototype weighed 8 and 1/4 pounds and was powered by a OS Max Four Stroke .60. He says a .60 was very adequate power-wise and aerobatics were no problems at all. The plans show the engine mounted prone, but to maintain the lines of the airplane I would invert it and use on board ignition, with one of Indy's "F" cells for power. These cells are 6200 miliamps and with an ACE Switch box and glow coming on at 50% throttle and below, you should be able to fly all day. I have used this system on several airplanes along with a master switch and charge jack, and can vouch for its adequacy. At the present I have this system on a SIG Cub with OS Gemini 120. A Balsa USA Citabria Pro with OS 120 single and on a winter beater which is an RCM Trainer.60 Bridi, or Great Planes Trainer.60, which ever you prefer, it's all the same. On a four stroke engine, the idle is lower and much more reliable with an ignition system.

Gene's plans have quarter square fuselage longerons with balsa and ply bulkheads, there is nothing mentioned about cowl and wheel pants, but I suspect it will not be too long before either T-D Fiberglass Specialties or Fiberglass Master will have both. The fin and rudder are built up of sticks, so will be very light, (what a spot for my aluminum tubing method) and a scale built up shock absorbing gear is shown on the plans, or you can use 5/32 inch wire.

The wing area is 1008 squares, and Gene's prototype weighed 8 1/4 pounds, this makes the wing loading under 20 ounces. If you add on board ignition you will only be 22 ounces or more, probably less than that. A four stroke .60 would still be very adequate. The wing has a Clark "Y" airfoil section and is built of two basswood spars, with 1/8th inch balsa ribs in strategic places. The wing is shown in one piece but can be easily modified into two or even three sections, depending on your mode of transportation. The center section is sheeted. Ailerons are built up and shows two methods of hinging. One which uses Robart hinge points, looks scale to me. The other shows a rounded aileron leading edge but doesn't show the pivot point. Speaking of hinges (and I am), have you tried the new hinge put out by G and C of Boynton Beach, Florida? They usually have a small advertisement in RCM or Model Aviation and sell for $6.95 a dozen. I ordered a dozen and installed them on my Citabria Pro. Boy what a difference, it responded to aileron input right now! Before it was all right, but I thought sluggish for an aerobatics airplane. Look up the ad, and order a dozen, you won't be disappointed. Oh yes, the aileron is removable after the hinges are installed too. Now back to the FUNK, both wing panels are shown and so the strut fittings, which are made from K and S aluminum sheet. Wing struts are made from hardwood with screws and clevises imbedded in the ends. I personally do not like all that sanding to get airfoil shape, so I would use K and S streamlines tubing. Ailerons are operated by a bellcrank system.

That covers the FUNK by DGA Designs. This airplane reminds me of the poor mans Rearwin Speedster. The cost of this plan set is $21.00 and you can send you order to 135 East Main Street, Phelps, NY 14532 or Phone: 1-315-548-3779, send order attention: David Reid.