Jim's DAW Ka-6

Jim Porter of Johnson City Iowa seldom builds his kits without adding some of his own ideas on how to make them better. After viewing these photos I think you will agree that Jim did a great job and added some significant improvements to an already great kit. Here’s a short list of some of Jim’s mods:

1. The wing was changed to a solid center section with plug in wing outer panel. The wing tips plug into the center section with carbon joiners and the wring for the aileron servos are of the plug in type so nothing is required to connect the servos other than simply pluging the wings into the wing center section.
2. Pop up blade spoilers were added
3. Balsa wing tips were added and were tied into place by extending the spar into the balsa tips
4. The canopy opening was reinforced with plywood and a battery box was created below the canopy
5. The plywood wing mounting plates were cut in half and a plywood bracket was added to hold the wing angle to the correct dihedral
6. Servo access cover panels were added to make changing servos out easy should that ever be required
7. The plywood stab mount was tied into the fuselage by adding another plywood  “shelf” that provides more stiffening and more gluing area.
8. Jim’s model is covered in Solartex in a striking color combination that is beautiful but also very functional. It’s easy to see when it is specked out. If you’ve ever seen Jim fly you know this 3-meter bird will be specked out.

Jim created a ledge so that his servo door will fit flush with the exterior of his model. Note also the plywood surround and plywood back piece that helps provide a more rigid canopy pocket.

Jim added a piece of plywood and cut a slot in the balsa tail stiffener to lock everything in place and spread the load of the stab to a larger surface.

These shots illustrate how Jim changed the wing mounting platform by sanding in the dihedral angle and modifying the wing hard point mounts that come in the kit. This mod provides a very nice and solid mounting surface for the wing center section.

Jim built two of these mounts using the stock parts from the kit as well as some plywood that Jim had on hand in his shop.

Unfortunately, you can’t see how beautifully this model flies. Jim was doing loops, rolls, stall turns and other maneuvers that you might not think this model is capable of. Next time I’ll get a video so you can not only see how great this plane looks in the air but also how well Jim can fly it.

I think I’m safe in saying he loves this airplane and I love what he did to the basic kit. More photos of this beautiful model as soon as I can get them.