Had a Duraplane back in the 90's. I found, just like some others, that it was pretty much a brick with an engine. After a couple of flights I added 6" to each wing to increase the wing area.

What I did was trace the wing airfoil section and make two 6" wing extensions with 4 spars extending far enough to glue into channels I cut in the foam wings. Once these extensions were in place I covered them with Monocote. Used different colors for the top and bottom to give me additional reference.

Once these wing extensions were added the plane flew great. Slow speed was terrific!

You may want to take a second look at that airplane bhady before you go to the trouble of an engine change and there is the possibility that a big engine may not solve the problem. Not the real problem in some cases and this had nothing to do with being heavy or a high wing loading.

When the fellows convert some airplanes to a tail dragger what some times happens is the main gear they use is much to short or a tailwheel is much too tall and worst case scenario mains are too short and the tail is to tall.

When this happens after plenty of speed is attained but the very level deck angle will not allow the wing to rotate to sufficient angle of attack to attain a lift off. Once that tail wheel hits the ground that is it you cannot rotate any further no matter how much power you have.

Now I am not saying this is what happened to you but you just might want to take a look at the side of your airplane on its wheels will tell many stories and may save an engine change. Didling with different gears is easy an quick.

John

I flew my 25 year old DuraPlane today. Tactic 2.4, Magnum 46XL, MAS 11-6, S&W 15% standard 2 cycle fuel. This was the first flight with the Dura in probably 5 years. (was in storage). It fired right up after being soaked in Marvel Air Tool Oil for years. Tenergy 4.8v 2000 mah NiMh. I spent an hour or so getting the low end right. For storage I coated the high speed needle with silicone "O" ring grease. 15 mph wind, 50 deg, it flew very nicely. I set the sub trims to zero and eyeballed the surfaces. Easy in the air adjustments made, it was great. Yes, they land hot. It's a keeper.

Duraplane is the only company I know of that put out a video of them INTENTIONALLY crashing their planes wide open, and flying it in front of 6-7 guys with 12 gauge shotguns trying to shoot it down ! that was a video ! in its day..