EAA Sport Aviation - October 2011

TEXAS FLY BABY

THE BOWERS FLY BABY is my fourth homebuilt; the first was a VariEze, followed by a British S.E. 5 biplane and a 3/4-scale Taylorcraft. I purchased a Continental A- 65 engine and needed a plane to hang it on. I happened upon an old Air Progress magazine with a cutaway view of a Fly Baby. The Fly Baby’s Internet home page had a picture of a Fly Baby as a reconfigured German WWI Junkers CL. 1 “Trench Strafer.” This just had to be the plane for my engine!

Construction of the plane began in May 2007 and was finished in December 2009. Working with wood is easy but more time-consuming than some other means of construction. The plane is finished with latex house paint in the colors of a Junkers CL. 1. The machine guns and the rear gunner’s pit have been constructed for the final touch. One of the photos shows the Fly Baby with an enclosed canopy for winter flying.

Many thanks go to my wife, members of EAA Chapter 35, and residents of San Geronimo Airpark for their support during the building of this plane. There were so many people who helped with their labor and donations of spare aircraft material and parts.

Lewis Mason, EAA 109141; San Antonio, Texas; E-mail: lewnan@sbcglobal.net

VERMONT BEARHAWK

BEARHAWK N942VT RECEIVED ITS airworthiness certificate on November 6, 2010, and first flew on November 21, 2010, after 21 months of build time. The AviPro Bearhawk kit was a joy to build, and everyone along the way from the designer, Bob Barrows, to the factory, to the Bearhawk community was of great help. I especially have to thank my EAA Chapter 740 for the interest taken in my project and helpful hints along the way, as this was my first homebuilt project. Primary thanks go first to my supportive and loving wife, who helped along the way with keeping the project going. The Bearhawk is powered by a 190-hp Lycoming O-360 (by R&B aircraft) and constant-speed prop. The panel is equipped with a Dynon D100, Grand Rapids engine information system, Lowrance 2000C GPS, ICOM radio, King transponder, PS Engineering intercom, and a backup airspeed indicator. The plane flies great with lots of power for short takeoff. Empty weight came in at 1,386 pounds, giving me a useful load of 1, 114 pounds. With the large cargo doors the payload will come in handy for long camping trips. I think the Bearhawk is the perfect homebuilt airplane for those who want a reasonably fast, rugged airplane with lots of useful load and simple construction.