Any aircraft design is a compromise between cost, performance, features, and building time. Being retired, cost was a major consideration, and build time less of a one. I wanted a two place aircraft (grandkids and Young Eagles), with moderately good performance at a reasonable cost, both initially and operating. I wanted folding/detachable wings with trailering in mind. Mild acrobatic capability was also desirable, It had to have a tail wheel! And it should look like my idea of an airplane.

For me, the Bob Bushby designed Mustang II was the aircraft that best met my criteria. It is a well-proven design that has been around for over 30 years. Most examples have been plans build before kits were made available by Mustang Aeronautics (http://www.sportflyer.com/mustang/index.htm) . The kits probably leave more for the builder to do than many other kits. Only those items that are not readily made with normal tools are factory made. These include formed ribs (nice with tapered wings) and bent items that requires a large brake, Welding of steel components is an extra cost option.

Every Mustang II pilot that I have talked to gives it high marks for performance and handling. Again for me, it offered a good cost/performance ratio with the features I wanted.

I started construction in 4/98 and as of 11/98 I have the center 8' section of the wings jigged up and nearly ready for skinning. (I went to three major fly-ins this summer that ate into my available building time.) If you would like to see or talk about this project give me a call at

Note! Frank is now living in Minden Nevada, you can reach him vie his e-mail. ffdavis@earthlink.net

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