Miss Dara (oz10330)

About this Plan

Miss Dara. Control line stunt model. Designed by Dennis Duvall. Wingspan 49 in, for .45 engines.

Quote: "Stunt C/L Miss Dara by Dennis Duvall.

Four weeks before the Nationals, I cut a beautiful lower hourglass corner; however, my airplane tried to do it three feet below the ground.

So, there I was, without a plane for the Nationals. Since I was determined to fly this year, I needed a design to build around my new Arnold Stott Formflight wing which I acquired from that company in Mankato, Minnesota. Which design? Well, that problem was solved quickly by a trip to Jack Sheeks' house. Jack, who most of you know, is a tremendous stunt designer, and for rne, God's answer to someone new in the event. He not only knows all about the scene from building to flying, but constantly answers any and all questions brought to him. As he recently said: "You've picked my brain of all my secrets and soon I'll have to start asking you." This to me shows just how unselfish he is and as for being a friend, you could never find a better one.

There I was, standing in his workshop, staring at a four-view drawing of a fantastic looking airplane, the 'Dara.' I asked Jack what it was and he said he had been thinking of building it someday. Seeing the desire to build it burning in my eyes, and feeling a little sorry for me, he told me to take it. Before he had a chance to say anything, I was home drawing it on some paper I just happened to pick up at Jack's place.

The Dara, being a very streamlined bird, fits well with my idea of what a Stunt ship should look like. I am very lucky in another way. My wife, Bunny, is very agreeable to my hobby. All it took was a little bribe when I asked her for money for balsa the next day. I bought $15 worth of wood, and that weekend we spent $25 seeing her favorite band in action. All in all, a Stunt flier couldn't ask for a better wife. By the way, she can do her share of flying also. She even entered a local contest last year. Only one problem, while at the meets, many people seem to associate her with the Playboy Club ... Wonder why?

With the new wood, I was off and building. Everything went fine, except toward the end of construction, the design seemed to be gaining weight too fast - just like the builder. Concerned about enough power to pull her, I called, who else, Jack. He just happened to have the 'perfect' engine for my plane. A Fox .40, old style. It was eleven years old, and had just been reworked by Robert Finley, the best engine man in Indiana. However. it wasn't for sale. After three calls, one visit, and some pleading, the engine was mine..."

Update 11/08/2018: added article, thanks to RFJ.

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