The second plans set is the SBD-5 Douglas Dauntless offered by Herb Hall (D.P. Systems) of Houston, Texas. The scale of this BIG model is 1 5/16 inches to the foot and the set of plans consists of five sheets. Most guys draw a plan and market it, then draw more and keep moving. But frankly I don't see how Herb can exceed himself, no matter what he draws in the future! This set of plans is fabulous! The span of the model is 88 inches and can be powered by a variety of engines from the Q-40 on up.

Sheet Number One:

This sheet contains the forward part of the fuselage and is a left side view. Fuselage ends about six inches behind the canopy and is continued on Sheet No. Two. The fuselage is built on a half by three-eights inch balsa crutch and is stringered then sheeted with 3/32-inch balsa. Flaps and dive brakes are shown with isometric views of the front cockpit and rear gunners station, with twin fifties, or is it .30's, shown along with the carff ring. Some rudder parts are also shown on this sheet. By the way, the canopy is made to slide and telescope. Wing fillet outline is also shown. I understand that the cowl, with molded-in flaps will be available from either T&D Fiberglass Specialities or Fiberglass Master.

Sheet Number Two:

This sheet shows the rear half of the fuselage, and fuselage formers and builkheads, fin and rudder construction are shown along with an isometric view of the canopy and rear gunner's instrument panel.

Sheet Number Three:

This sheet shows the top view of the rear half of the fuselage and the left wing panel construction, along with flat center section -- flat, that's no dihedral! The linkage with the perforated flaps and dive brakes are shown and aileron linkage with the bellcranks is shown, but aileron linkage is operated by a closed-loop cable system. Stub spars and dihedral braces are shown along with the rest of the fuselage bulkheads. The wing is stressed skin construction with fabric-covered ailerons.

Sheet Number Four:

This sheet shows the right wing panel with all wing ribs and both panels show the retract cut-outs. There is also shown an end view of the aileron and I really like the aileron construction. Here again those new G-C hinges would work perfectly.

Sheet Number Five:

This sheet shows stab and elevator construction, along with full size half-front view of the airplane. A smaller, two-view drawing of the Dauntless is also shown. Just to give you an idea of the size of this wing, for an 88-inch span there are 1723 inches of area, so just guesstimating a weight of 25 pounds, that makes a wing loading of about 33 ounces. A Q-.50 should handle it fine. Pure quality throughout, I would certainly buy this semi-kit if I were to build a BIG model. The cut parts are fantastic! You should call or write D.P. Systems for the price of the semi-kit; plans are included.