This Golden Era classic is an all-around CL winner
When Sam Abdow learned that the 1983 Nats were to be held at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts, his decision to scratchbuild a CL Scale DGA-6 Mr. Mulligan was cemented. Using Paul Matt's Historic Aviation Album drawings, plans were enlarged for use with a .60-size engine and drawn to exact scale to be flown in either Precision Scale or Sport Scale.
The fuselage assembly of a keel, crutch, and formers was built first, using a simple jig made from 3/4-inch pine stock. A Sullivan MM-2 (.45 to .60) engine mount was installed, as well as a J-Roberts bellcrank and J-Roberts three-line control system.
The stabilizer and elevator were built from 1/4-inch soft balsa. Large Du-Bro hinges were used on the elevators. The wings were built inverted over the plans. Sam noted that flaps and removable wings were optional, but flaps were a must for added points in competition. The wing was covered with 1/64 plywood to simulate the full-scale aircraft covering.
Sam spun his own aluminum cowl and machined the scale exhaust system. Landing gear fairings were shaped from stencil board. Wheel pants were carved and shaped. One side was removable and the other side was epoxied to the landing gear fairings.
Rev-Up 12 x 16 propeller blades were covered with aluminum MonoKote, and the lathe-turned hub was painted silver. Holes were cut into the wingtips for dummy lights. Sig Manufacturing Ryan STA flying wires were used for the tail-surface brace and anti-flutter wires.
Fuselage and tail surfaces were covered with 3/4-ounce fiberglass cloth and K&B polyester resin. They were primed, sanded with 400-grit paper, and painted with Pactra Formula-U Polar White. Black Sig decal sheets, gold trim MonoKote, black Goldsb stripping tape, black paint, and gold leaf were used for the racing numbers, N-numbers, striping, and nose art. Logos were cut from photographs, peeled from the emulsion, glued to the model, and covered with Formula-U clear.
Sam placed fourth in CL Sport Scale at the 1983 Nats with the Mr. Mulligan, missing third place by one point.
The 9 1/2-pound Mr. Mulligan was featured in the October 1984 MA as AMA Plans Service listing 455 and is available for $24 plus shipping and handling. AMA members can access the magazine's Digital Library on the MA website to read more about it. See page 153 or go to www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx for ordering information.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
