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A quick trip around the patch and I
came upon a beautifully finished Early Bird Jenny - with a Canadian
theme. The
builder decided to use the JN 4 C model, which is the Canadian
version of the Jenny, due to its 4 ailerons and less wing
stagger in the wings. While he didn't keep track of the hours to
build, and doesn't really want to know - he did start building the kit
in 1994. The Jenny uses a welded steel fuselage, which Dan was
comfortable working with. The only major tool he had to purchase was a
bead roller for doing the cowls etc on the plane. The
plane is finished in poly fibre, and poly tone. He used the poly tone
because it gave a duller finish, closer to the look of a WW I plane. Dan
has made trips from Alabama to Oshkosh, 800 miles each way, taking Grand
Champion light plane in the process. He has just completed the 420 mile
trip down to Sun N Fun when I did the interview. The
plane is powered by a 3 cylinder Suzuki engine, from a Sprint. While he
couldn't give me an all out weight on the installation the bare block
weighs in at 108 lbs. Dan estimated that the addition of three carbs,
reduction drive, etc would bring the weight up to around 160 lbs. This
combination brings him 68.4 hp at 5450 rpm. The redrive is 2.2 to 1. The
prop which came from Props Inc, in Newport Oregon and engine combination
give a cruise of 60 mph and a climb rate of between 500 and 1000 feet
per minute - depending on how the plane is loaded. Dan
has a special set of wheels with custom built hubs with 4 inch bases to
handle side loads. He has designed a tail skid that is sprung and
steerable. Individual heel brakes, 9.6 gallons of gas, dual Nippondenso
ignition. The plane is also
equipped with a smoke system, " to turn the local airport IFR
whenever we want to." If you
would like to contact Dan email him at : dhphkh@aol.com
News update: Took Grand
Champion Lightplane. That's Oshkosh and Sun'nFun Grand Champion
Lightplane, plus overall Grand Champion at the EAA Southeastern
Regional. Not bad for a tiny little biplane.
It's also the 5th Grand Champion award brought home to Elmore County,
Alabama. My buddy John Hauck has two.
Dan Horton |
