Blake - Very cool! One of our local pilots has a really sweet Duster,
N148KD, and did his Silver Badge in it this season. He's had it out
flying quite a bit of cross country this season, his flights are on
the OLC, under Kansas Soaring Association. Another local just picked
up a project Duster and is working on getting it back in the air.
Seems like a really nice glider to me, with decent legs for XC
flying.
One nit to pick, there were at least 100 Cherokee II's built from
plans. Not sure how many BG-12's were built. Perhaps with a renewed
interest the Duster could become the most numerous homebuilt
sailplane :)
Tony,
Thanks for the heads up on those numbers. I will modify the website to
correct those numbers right away. You own a Cherokee don't you? I
think I met you with Matt M. at Faribault?
Please pass the word the the Duster plans. When I get mine built in a
year or two, lets go soaring. Are you in KS now?
Best regards,
Blake
Yep I was with Matt when you got the Lark. Strangely enough both that
Lark and I are now in Wichita. I've got a couple Cherokee II's now
and have had some really good flights this season.
This could make a great "slow build" project over several years.
Thanks for offering the plans again.
Mark
There is some welding, try and find a DSK kit or do all the cutting
and fitting, then take it to your local TIG/ MIG welder. A 6 footer
fits just fine. I'm 6 foot, well I was before I lost an inch to Martin
Baker and another inch to old age! I built mine in 18 months worth of
evenings.
JJ
JJ,
I hope to be able to fly out to CA in the next couple of months to get
these molds out of your rafters. Thanks for the offer to give these
up. If I can motivate others to build Dusters, I will offer them use
of the molds as well.
Best regards,
Blake S Miller
JJ's Duster is very nice and the trailer is equally interesting.
Currently in Ohio I believe.
Frank Whiteley
Thanks for the info, I just read the June '77 Soaring article
recounting your Diamond in type (The SSA has done a great job with
their archives). Pretty amazing! Are you still active in the sport
locally? I'm just down the road in Lincoln. Blake, I may pull the
trigger on this within a few weeks. Even if I put another project
ahead of this one, the initial investment isn't much more than the
cost of a few tows...
Mark
Mark,
Just let me know when you are ready to order the Duster plans and the
corresponding building assist documents I have gathered. Just go to
http://buildaduster.info/ for more details and for contact
information.
Blake
I have always liked the Duster, and about anything made of wood that
flys. What should a person expect to spend to complete a Duster. I'm
sure I could get a rough idea of material costs if I had a list, but I
have no Idea what you would need to pay for "technical oversight" and
pre-maiden check-outs and other things like that.
Thanks much
Bruce