stevegauth30

I'm finishing up with my last build and couldn't wait to jump in to this one. The Howard DGA-6, or Mr. mulligan has always been one of my favorite golden era airplanes. I came across the kit on the other site and grabbed it up. It was complete less the cowl and pants which I wouldn't have used any way. I plan to try something new on this one which is to cover it with Stits Poly Lite. In my opinion it's as close to scale as possible. I haven't thought about power yet, but there's a lot of time between now and when I need to start thinking about that. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I know I will.

stevegauth30

Well, at first inspection of the materials, I'm impressed, yet, not too impressed. The quality of the balsa looks fantastic. The sticks are straight, and nice density. The sheeting looks as nice. But the die crunched parts, there not even useable. All die cut parts will get re-made. Also, probably 75% of the ply appears to be some kind of louon.( how ever you spell it, I give up trying.) but it's heavy. Kind of odd stuff. Not sure if I'll use it or not. Maybe some of it. Another thing, that's typical of the vintage kits, most of the parts aren't labeled in any way, so I'll have to figure it out.

flyingagin

Subscribed Steve

Lauan Plywood. I have used it for a large fuse with maybe 80 - 90% of material removed as lightning holes.I can crack and de laminate worse than lite ply. I much prefer lite ply.

I really like for build airboats though. cheap, strong and the extra wight is not a bad deal. Last boat had a .90 on it and was real blast.

Ken

stevegauth30

I'll probably use light ply and birch ply. I have some, but I'll need to order more. I might use a few of the parts where it's not as critical, but certainly not the fire wall.

foodstick

I am so glad you are posting this thread !
I love this plane/kit.

An Older gentleman in our club is building one of these in his way.. which is typically heavier/stronger/cheaper. He finds a pretty good center ground to his build. I will enjoy watching you build to be sure.

stevegauth30

Glad to have ya around.

flyingagin

I would never ever use Lauan in critical areas. To use for a firewall would be a disaster I think. For the firewall I only use birch ply. Even on small planes.

You are using your smarts Steve.

Ken

stevegauth30

This fire wall will be 1/4 inch 5 ply birch. Most of the other parts will be 1/8 inch 3 ply birch. I don't care for light ply for fuse formers.

TomCrump

We meat again ! Are you following me, or am I following you ?

I've seen a few Nosen Mulligans. As I remember, they fly well. You'll like it, Steve.

A guy, also named Ken, on the Groups, has one that he plans to refurbish. Look for him, Foodie. He lives near Mason City.

flyingagin

mmm Maybe there is some kind of secret club and we just follow each other around??

Ken

TomCrump

We like the same things, Ken.

I ran into Foodstick when he revamped a Velie Monocoupe, another design that I admire.

stevegauth30

there's just something about a rag covered airplane with a round engine that makes me smile

TomCrump

Ya, me too !

Being older than you, I remember seeing some of these round engined airframes at local airports, when I was a kid. Unfortunately, I seldom see a round engine, now, and many of those airports are gone.

Vampire

My Feedback: (2)

HI Steve, over the years I have build 1)and flown at least 3) other Mulligan’s and everyone was a good handling honestairplane with no bad habits. Most where powered with a Zenoah G-38 and 1 with aG-62. I have a kit myself with the Glass cowl and wheel pants and I also acquiredthe scale vinyl graphics pkg. for it. The Bud Nosen kit had the wood partsincluded for the cowl but when A&A Industries acquired the line from Bud,they dropped these parts. I plan to power minewith an EVO radial. Look forward to your thread and a successful completion andflight.

flyingagin

Oh yeah man. You got that right. Wife also likes 'em.
Funny thing is I do not care for the new round nose Pitts (12?). I have seen several other light planes changed to a round nose and like 'em, but not the Pitts.

Ken

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Well I guess I'll join the party, I always did like the Howard! Besides someone needs to keep an eye on Ken, Steve, and Tom!

flyingagin

And that will let us keep an eye on.

Ken

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Yep, all the troublemakers in one spot!

jwrich

My Feedback: (17)

I have a long history with the Nosen Mr. Mulligan. Years ago I began building the kit (not an easy kit to build, bad parts & die cutting) but I did get it framed up & almost ready to cover. Then I lost interest and sold it for $300.00 a few years later. I saw several Mr. Mulligans flying and alway wanted one. A couple years ago,I saw one for sale one this site, beautifully built but had local pick up too far away so I let it pass. Almost a year later the Mr. M was back on this sale page, but this time it was with in 120 miles and the price was cut in half. We made the deal. The builder had severed health issues & was selling all his planes. He told me he built planes for pilots who flew at Top Gun. His workmanship is outstanding. I bought a DLE 55, he built the firewall for this engine, and I began installing the radio system getting it ready to fly. I also bought an electric starter for the DLE 55. Then I had some very serious health problems that will not allow me to fly any fast moving airplanes( this is a fast airplane). So I began selling off my fast movers. I fly only 1/4 scale WW I airplanes now. This summer I sold Mr. M complete ready to fly with engine & starter and servos for just what money I had in the airplane. We will meet up some where on my way to Dayton Ohio Dawn Patrol. Here are some pictures of the Mr. Mulligan.















The dummy engine could not be used with the electric starter system. I'll be following your build with interest.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Jwrich, great looking airplane! What part of Enid do you live in? I lived up there for about 4 years when I was kid. It was back when the earth was young, dinosaurs still roamed the earth, and Garrett was still Lahoma Road.

stevegauth30

Nice mulligan. Glad to have you along. I'm wondering why on the two forum sites that not one Mr. m was ever finished.im realizing that I'm missing some parts. Typical. I'm seeing that I have my work cut out on this one. BUT, that's one of the reasons I usually build vintage kits. More challenge. I still enjoy building modern kits, but love the added challenge of having to figure everything out on your own. I'm starting on the fuse crutches tonight. Won't be a fast build though, I hope yer all not in a hurry.

stevegauth30

Is anyone out there ever built this kit? Did you use the supplied plywood? I'm still on the fence about it.

acerc

The description of the kit sounds typical of Nosen kits. Makes them that much more challenging and enjoyable to build.

stevegauth30

Yep. Kind of a cross between die cut, and building from plans.

acerc

Ha! Then the one you have is better than any I have built, they were die crushed. Even had a few parts that were unrecognizable and had to fashion from the
plans.

Either way, I am subscribed!!