THERE HAVE BEEN many prolific and original model airplane
designers in our hobby, but none more productive and revered than
Ken Willard. His model designs were not only aesthetically
pleasing, but they also flew well and were reasonably easy to build.
Ken’s Drake II was a result of the success of his earlier 1/2A FF
version of the nifty flying boat.
For the larger Drake II, which is
an RC design, Ken opted to use an
O.S. Max .15 glow engine. The
48-inch-span model proved to be a
winner on and above the water.
The Drake II is a fairly simple
project, but it is a step up in
building challenges from the
models we have been presenting
in this feature each month since its
inception. We figure that your
building skills are improving as
you construct the designs we
highlight here.
The Drake II features a sheetbalsa
fuselage, a constant-chord
wing with a high-lift airfoil, and a
built-up tail assembly. The engine
mounts in a pod that sits atop the
wing. This arrangement makes for
easy electric conversion if you are
so inclined.
January 2009 151
Drake II The original puddle jumper
Ken Willard’s Drake II is plans set 314, which is available for
$14 from the AMA Plans Service. See page 199 or go to
www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx for ordering information.
Stretch your building horizons and get your feet wet in flying off
of water! MA
AMA Plans Service Showcase
01sig5.QXD 11/24/08 1:17 PM Page 151
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/01
Page Numbers: 151