Howard GH-1 (oz9295)

About this Plan

Howard GH-1. Rubber scale model.

Subject GH-1 is the utility transport version of the DGA-15 built for the United States Navy.

Quote: "Mister Mulligan joins the Navy. A realistic high performance scale model of the new Navy Howard personnel transport plane ...While the transport planes do not have the spectacular appeal of fighters, scouts and dive bombers, they are a most necessary part of naval aviation. Essentially these workhorses of the flying fleet are adaptations of commercial ships, their mission being to provide aerial services of all kinds.

One of the latest type planes to be acquired by the US Navy for light transport duty is the Howard GH-1. Ideally suited to this task, it has a convertible cabin for passengers, cargo, a stretcher for patients, space for mail or express, or for use in aerial photography.

Howard airplanes were developed from Ben Howard's famous racer 'Mister Mulligan', winner of both the Thompson and Bendix Trophy races in 1935. Remarkably similar to the race plane prototype. Howard military and commercial transports are noted for their outstanding performance, ruggedness and ease with which they are flown.

The model plans have been carefully prepared so they will serve either as the basis for a flying or scale model. Proportions of the real plane make possible an attractive model with exceptional flying characteristics. You are sure to be fully satisfied with the stable, swift flights of this little ship if you build it according to these instructions.

Construction: A simple rectangular frame is the backbone of fuselage structure; it is shown lightly shaded on the plans. Work directly over the plans, or better still, tracings, and build two side frames, one atop the other to be certain they are identical. While it is not absolutely necessary, it is best to steam or soak the longerons in hot water so they will dry to a natural curve and thus help in keeping the structure from springing out of shape. Hard grade wood is used and longerons and uprights are 3/32 sq stock. Invert the completed sides over the top view and cement 3/32 sq pieces to place at the center of the body; when dry, draw the backs together and place the remaining cross-pieces. It will be necessary to crack the longerons in the front so they can be pulled into the positions shown on the plan.

Cut the various formers from 1/16 sheet and now if the basic structure is dry, it should be removed from the work board and formers attached to their correct positions. Center section is assembled and cemented to the fuselage frame; do this accurately as the wing's correct placement is determined by its position. Since stringers are merely fairing strips, they should be mediumsoft balsa. Stringers are cemented directly to the underframe except where there are formers, of course, and where there are no notches in the formers; they are cemented right to the sides.

The engine cowling is made next. A frame consisting of two circular 1/16 sheet bulkheads and four 1/16 sq spacers is assembled as indicated by broken lines; this structure is covered with 1/32 sheet. The rounded nose section is made from laminations of 1/8 sheet; the centers of these discs being removed to the extent shown. Details of the nose plug are indicated. The removable section should be made to fit accurately to the crankcase which is cemented within the cowl front. Finish the nose and cowl by sanding to finished shape but do not cement the cowl to the nose until later.

The landing gear unit can be made at this time; it is bent from .040 music wire and formed to shape and size shown. Using thread bind the wire unit to the fuselage underframe. Add the triangular 1/16 sheet gussets shown and then apply several coats of cement. Although the 1/8 balsa struts are not added to the landing gear at this stage of construction, they can be cut out. These struts are streamline in crossection and have a groove in the back to conceal the wire.

Pieces of hard 1/16 sheet cemented between the rear fuselage members provide anchorage for the bamboo pin that holds the rubber motor in the rear..."

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to GTHunter.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction