Waco YKS-6 (oz3565)

 

Do you have a photo you'd like to submit for this page? Then email admin@outerzone.co.uk

User comments

Mary and Steve, I've attached photos of my Waco YKS-6 [main pic, 003-006] built from the Hal Swanson, Modernistic Models plans, oz3565. I'm waiting for calmer winds and taller grass to fly it. Take care,
Eric Holmes - 04/04/2022
[I wrote to Eric to thank him for his pics & received this interesting reply. Apologies for only just getting round to posting it! Mary] Hal Swanson selected some great aircraft to represent in his plan series. I was first attracted to them as a teen in the mid 70s. At that time, I don’t recall that Modernistic Models ever offered kits. The catalogs that I had only offered plans. After building a few, I suspect that he only offered plans. Each of the plans that I’ve built required some additional “engineering” to make the model work. The parts are typically about 90% correct. They are the kinds of issues that would have been worked out prior to offering a kit. So, I’m not sure if the “kit” designation on the plan description on the website is accurate. Of course, I could be wrong, just my thoughts. All that being said, Hal’s plans are definitely worth the extra effort. They result in lovely models of interesting aircraft. I would be curious to hear from other modelers and their experiences with Modernistic Models
Eric Holmes - 09/09/2022
A note on the plan stating "1:48 scale" is incorrect. A full scale Waco YKS-6 has an upper wing span (in round numbers) of 33 ft. At 1:48, this would result in a model span of ~8.25 inches. The model span is roughly double this number, thus the scale is ~1:24.
D A - 15/03/2023
Good point. Checking the dimensioned prop at 5 inch (and main wheels at 1 inch) the plan is scaled correctly, the total wingspan is ~16.6 in, so the printing of "1:48 scale" on the plan is a curious mistake.
SteveWMD - 15/03/2023
I think the solution is at the root of designing.
What kind of Waco YKS-6 3 view was avalaible in 1968? Paul Matt's wonderful 3 view dated 1965, "casually" has the same identification number... What about the scale drawings? "Casually" 1:48 scale. Many Matt's plan are mixed 1:24 and 1:48 in the same plans. Probably for a mistake was reported the original scale on the label. Pit
Pit - 15/03/2023
Further to Eric's comments, I agree that Modernistic Models plans had to be approached carefully. On this Waco plan, if you measure (on the front view) from the centerline to the wingtip (top wing), the half span is 8.3." The title block indicates the model wingspan is 16-5/8." Yet, if you add up the wing panel lengths (plan view) and add the fuselage width (dictated by the bulkhead dimensions), the total span is slightly over 17." Even allowing for "round-off" and effects of dihedral, this seems to be a curious discrepancy. Such are the peculiarities of pre-CAD, hand drafted drawings!
D A - 15/03/2023
Yes, such are the peculiarities of pre-CAD, hand drafted drawings indeed! We can however only take our hats off to the wonderfully talented designers/draughtsmen who gifted us with these treasures !! Try matching 2 symmetrical halves of a plan with modern tools and one wonders how we ever got them to fly, yet many of us have for decades :) As someone commented elsewhere, these were never intended to be engineering drawings. Simply workable treasures, respectfully appreciated and enjoyed !!
KvdB - 18/03/2023
Add a comment