Phil Heller

My Feedback: (9)

Way back in the mid 1940's I built a kit of a speed plane designed by Hal DeBolt called the "DeBolt Special" or "Dmeco Special" and powered it with a Hornet 60. This was not DeBolt's Speedplane with the curved fuselage and the speed cowl over the engine
but an exposed cylinder and battery ignition. I would like to find a kit or plans for this airplane and a Hornet 60 (or replica) so I can duplicate that old speedster - (First one I had to break 100MPH!)

icerinkdad

There is a CL special interest group that I think is called the North American Speed Society. Check the AMA website for special interest groups. They could probably point you to plans. My guess is that an original kit and engine would cost you quite a bit more than most of us have in our hobby budget....
Bob

Phil Heller

My Feedback: (9)

Thanks Bob,

I already have a post in N.A.S.S. site hoping to leave no stone unturned! This has been a quest of mine for over 50 years! Doubtful that I could fly it today - maybe one of my grandsons?

Phil

ggeezer

Hi Phil,
There is a Hornet for sale on Ebay now with a "buy it now price of over $350.00
Check it out here:
Item number: 140321797846

Orv.

Phil Heller

My Feedback: (9)

Hi Orv.

Thought I'd take a minute and thank you for directing me to Ebay on that Hornet. I don't know if it's the same one, but I bid on a cherry Hornet 60 and ended up winning it for $240!! Judging from the pictures it is about the cleanest I have seen! Now I need the plans, picture, or sketch of the Dmeco Special. If I had either I could draw up a set of plans and finally build it!

Thanks again, I owe you one!

Phil

ggeezer

Your welcome Phil,
In the week after I sent you that link, I found at least three more on Ebay. They all looked real nice. One must have been the one you got. Ebay is like that, you can't find something for a long time, then all of a sudden many appear.
I don't know how much help I can be with the plane but my copy of Ron Moulton's book "Control Line Manual" has a small photo of the DeBolt Special. The caption says "First of the DeBolt Specials with fixed u.c. and ignition Hornet 60, made 120 mph with clock wise rotation in circuit, was the first to crack 100 mph". Unfortunately, there is no plan but below the photo is a small plan for the DeBolt Speedwagon 50. The wings and stab look about the same. I think a person might be able to draw up a plan from the photo and Speedwagon plan.
Let me know if you would like me to scan the page and email it to you.
A while back, I got my hands on a McCoy .29 Red Head (Dick McCoy's rear rotor job) and would like to build a vintage speed plane for it. I still haven't decided which one, maybe a Speedwagon or a Whirlaway.

Orv.

Phil Heller

My Feedback: (9)

Hi Orv,

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but I had a little setback in my health. Everything seems to be back on track now. I received the Hornet and it truly is a peach! I cannot locate plans for the Dmeco Special, but I did locate plans for Ernie Babcock's "Jughaid". If you recall he won the N.Y.Mirrors flying fair AND the Phila. Inquirers flying circus and went home with TWO Ercoupes (the real ones, not models!) I saw his winning flight in Phila. So far I have turned the fuselage and acquired the wood and aluminum and Ignition to build it - Darn coil, condensor, and high tension lead cost more ($42.50) than I originally paid for my first Hornet ($35.)!!! I am enclosing the plans for it and a model called the "Screamliner" designed by a buddy of mine (who has long passed on!) I had built a Mac 60 and 29 powered version of it and won a few trophies. Maybe will give you some incentive! The DeBolt Speedwagon had a curved fuselage and flew clockwise - I remember seeing one chase "Pappy" around the circle afler a bad hand launch!

Keep in touch,
Phil Heller

Phil Heller

My Feedback: (9)

Can't seem to upload plans - send me your Email and I will send them to you.

Phil [email protected]

Try these - One on left is "Jughaid" One on right is "Screamliner"

kc97trains

Phil,,,I was just wondering if you ever found your deBolt speed plane yet? The reason I am writing to you is that I have a deBolt Speedwagon already built. It's probably 50 plus years old. Has a nice decal that says Powered by McCoy on the side. It's not perfect but it may be good enough for a pattern to at least recreate. In addition I also have 2 Hellrazors. One for A engines and for B engines. They are a little rough as well but good for patterns. The only other speed plane I have is a Brown Mfg. Supersonic Jr. kit. If you are interested let me know. Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Charlie

Phil Heller

My Feedback: (9)

Hi Charlie,
No, I never did find a kit or plans for the "Debolt Special", I did find plans for the original Debolt special (big 30" wing and fixed gear) Used a Super Cyclone .604. I enlarged the plans and picked up a Super Cyclone that needs some work. I'll get around to it some day. In the meantime I built a replica of Ernie Babcocks "Jughaid" for the Hornet. Plans and photo enclosed. I am finishing up a "Perky" and have started a "Hell Hammer" 1945 Kit I picked up on Ebay and a McCoy 49 (also needs some work!). Dang, those old kits were miserable! If you can, please send pictures of your Supersonic kit and the Speedwagon.

#1 is the "Perky" ready for paint, #2 and 4 is the "Jughaid" and Dolly, #3 is the plan for the "Old DeBolt Special"
Phil

kc97trains

Send me your email address and I will send you pictures. As I was going thru my collection I found a Cleveland TOPPER III kit. It's in beautiful shape. Looks like it was put on a shelf and never touched again. I will include pictures of it as well. It's the bigger version with 20 inch wing. Give me a day or so to send them because my computer hi speed deal took a dump and I'm back to dial-up!! Takes forever to download pictures!!I'll keep you informed. Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Charlie

Phil Heller

My Feedback: (9)

Hi Charlie,

[email protected] Don't forget the underscore between the first and last name!
I don't think I mentioned it, but when I was first married back in the 50's we lived in the River House in Harrisburg. Later moved to Reading.

Phil

dennis

My Feedback: (90)

Phil,
As you know Hal debolt has passed but he left control of all his c/L plans and other things to a longtime friend Fran P I can't spell the last name the gentleman is Polish and his name reflects it in the spelling. He is a very personable man and has plans for all of Hals designs. If you go The stuka Stunt Forum and ask I'm sure that you'll get a contact number real quick.

www,clstunt.com

Dennis

Remembered his last name
The name is Francis X Ptaskiewicz

50+AirYears

I've purchased several plans from Fran P. Found the prices VERY reasonable, and got them in the mail in less than a week.

DaveSR71

couple of pics for all the old speed freaks out there.

CoosBayLumber

My Feedback: (1)

I know Fran, and he knows me (very well). For Fran is a C.L. lover at heart, but a few years ago, he wanted the supply of plans here that were for never produced kits. These range in date from late 1940's to late 1960's. Most folks have been interested in the radio airplanes (and Fran has a few plans tere too). But, each plan for better part was drawn up in ink on linen or on vellum, and afew are on backside to older plans. That I figure were slow sellers. Fran was highly interested in the scale aircraft like the Spitfire and the Mustang, both or which never were kitted. The 600 was being converted over to radio per one of our plans here.

I think his web site for old DeBolt plans is gone now too.


Wm.

jumpinjan

I want to build a C-speed model. What would be a favorite design to build? What is your favorite?
Jan

Phil Heller

My Feedback: (9)

Further progress in my quest to build the oldies from the 40 and 50's. The Jughaid with the Hornet 60 was finally maidened - flew very well but not up to todays speeds (naturally!) Had to build a wing lock dolly as it kept jumping the original pin dolly. As I recall, Babacock Senior hand launched for Junior at the Philadelphia meet. The Super Cycke in the HellHammer is a problem - vibrates like crazy! may switch to my old McCoy 49. The Yellow Perky took high speed at the Napa Mini speed Bash in may at 97.685 mph - not bad for a 60 year old design with a 40 year old engine! The red Perky hopefully will shoot for over 100mph!

Phil

iflyg450

WOW what great looking planes, I was just given this engine and it run very well it a McCOY 19. I would love to build one of these speedwagon type planes which one do you guys recomend

Phil Heller

My Feedback: (9)

You can get a kit for the "Perky" from blackhawkmodels.com Tele. 562-728-5661 An easy build and a great flyer with your Mac 19.

I noticed that "Sam's Stuff and Hobbies." also has the same kit on sale - Google them for the website.

Phil Heller

My Feedback: (9)

Attached photos - "Happy Grandpa!" ,me and my two Hot little Perkies - 1st AND 2nd in Perky speed at the Napa Speed Bash - Yellow one 100.5 MPH, Red one 94 mph (Maiden flight!). I'm really getting into CL speed - takes me back almost 60 years! Having more fun than any 80 year old is entitled to! Also showing shots of recently completed 1/2A Profile proto and .21 Proto in process.

Phil Heller

My Feedback: (9)

Finally completed the .21 proto - call it the "RedBird" - Wonder why? The weather hasn't been too cooperative lately-hope to test fly in the next few weeks. Poo Bear came out of retirement to do the piloting - he can hardly wait!

Phil

Phil Heller

My Feedback: (9)

WOW! Now I'm being told that I can't compete with my Aluminum winged .21 Proto because the rules state the airplane must be colorfully painted! What would they say if I painted them with Aluminum paint?

Phil

Kiwi

I've attempted twice to post this reply, and the site just freezes solid instead of posting it. I made a typo when I finally did get it to post, and then the EDIT froze solid.

Anyway, at the end of the 1930's, the USAAC was still entering its fighters in various speed and racing venues, but after the P-26, the really bright colored paint jobs weren't used any longer. Do a Google for images of those planes. All natural metal and aluminum paint on fabric, plus a few colored stripes, is what they wore as "racing colors".

Mike Lauerman

My recently departed friend from here (Merced, CA.) held records in Proto Speed. (Frank Hunt)
Frank's mount was a red and polished aluminum proto that resembled your beauty, Phil.
I hope you won't be required to deface it with some frivolous 'color'!
Protos I remember were clean and polished...yours is stunning.