|
|
BAKENG DUCE |
This Duce is all metal
except for the tail surfaces which are fabric over steel tube. Wings are Cessna
150 with electric flaps. The strange looking cowl houses a Mazda
rotary. The cowl (which is a work of art) could easily be rotated 90’ to
cover a Lycoming. Sheet metal is riveted to stringers. Overall workmanship is
well above average with good attention to detail. Interior surfaces are primed
and painted. Cockpit is lined with vinyl covered board. Nice instrument panels
front and rear.. Excellent metal
work.
Scroll down for more
pictures of the airplane or:
Click for more detailed engine
pictures
The
trim tab is operated from a 180 degree lever in the cockpit. The eight tail
brace wires are streamline type. Tail wheel is Scot. It is rotated backwards
here because I just towed it out of the hanger.
Panel is basic
with electric turn and bank, rate of climb. Fuel gauge is in the center. The
front cockpit has basic flight gauges as well. The brakes are heel operated,
rear seat only. It is wired for intercom and push tt on stick.
This shows the rear cockpit
door; front is the same.
Most seams have been zinc
chromated during construction. You can see that on the left behind the door.
For winter flying, I have
covered the front cockpit with a sheet of aluminum to reduce drafts. There is a
reasonable amount of cabin heat (with this engine installation) that flows back
and out the rear cockpit when the cover is on but truthfully winter flying is
not fun.
There is also a vinyl cover
for front cockpit.
The fuselage has several flush access panels
held on with rivet nuts and machine screws to provide access to fuel system and
controls.
There is plumbing for a front fuselage tank
which is not installed. Both wing tanks feed together.
There are nav lights and a belly strobe. No
radios installed but I have an escort 110 for it. All of the wiring is aircraft
quality; is neatly bundled,
laced and well supported.
The plane handles quite well on the ground
and in the air. I would describe it as a pretty gentle tail dragger. The gear
is Cessna 180 and brakes are
Since taking these pictures I have changed
the windsreens to a more square, three sided style with a flat top.
The next one isn’t a great picture but shows
that I flew in the winter on a set of homemade skiis.
The engine Is a
Mazda 13B with a 2.25:1 transmission reduction drive which was nicely modified
with large bearings. I also have a Ross 2.85 drive for it that is negotiable.
Based on how it performs, I’d say that the engine is developing a good 150hp.
These engines are very smooth running and one of the most reliable auto
conversions around.
There are two electric fuel pumps and all the
plumbing uses aircraft AN fittings.
One negative is that the muffler on this
installation is not adequate and it is very loud. This is something that can be
fixed.
If you
don’t want an auto conversion a local mechanic has a Lycoming GPU with all the
parts for conversion to aircraft and a Lycoming 150, either for $5000.
I paid $19,000 Cndn for it and felt it was a
fair price. I need the space and have shifted my interests to Rotax powered
lightweights so I’m open to a reasonable offer. I would consider getting it
delivered almost anywhere for the right price.
Yes, I am negotiable!
Since taking these pictures I have removed the
wings and it is stored in my hanger. Even that process revealed some nice
features. All of the wiring to the wings has Molex plugs to allow easy
disconnection. The center section looks very well engineered and well built.
email me Peter Cowan
Phone: 705 877-8404 (Eastern time)
Located NE of