I have committed to buying a Golden Hawk of Blackhawk Models origin. Since then I have looked at many photos of others who have built this plane. Mostly for a cool color sheme since I won't have the way cool original decal set. That is too bad because it is that decal set that really makes the looks of the Golden Hawk stand out. 
This aside, what I have discovered is that quite a few modelers have chosen to cut lightening holes in the tail surfaces and even the wing.

This makes me want to do the same. Should I? Of course I know the advantages of a light model Vs the same model weighing significantly more. Would I do more harm than good by making large lightening holes in the wing?

I plan on using a Golden Bee for the power plant.

All comments certainly welcome along with cool color schemes. I have an affinity with a cream base / dark or metallic colors such as blue, green, red... 

Robert

Quote by Paul Smith:
"If you cut holes the wing, you can't use it in a Musciano hollow log contest."

Paul, I had a feeling this was true but did not know for sure.

Certainly the most weight savings would be inside the fuselage. It is there one would start trying to save weight and to do so aggressively, taking care of course not to get too thin especially where the firewall is to be glued. A good strong light is a great help here.

If one were not to fly the plane in a Musciano hollow log contest, then of course anything goes to save weight.

The reason for this question was that I noted in many of the pictures of finished Golden Hawks which indeed did have such holes in the wings. They were plainly obvious.

Thank you for your reply, Robert

I don't know if I have seen the thick rib modification. That would be interesting to see.

I agree that lightening holes in the wings would provide minimal weight savings but in my experience the lighter, the better. for all out perfoirmance the first, best choice as you have pointed out would be wood selection. Even if it means having to substitute every piece of wood in the kit.

Once you have some really good wood those lightening holes just would not add up oin such a small model.   

After I built my first hollow log, a Zig Zag (early 70's), I started thinking about such things but never followed thru.  Things like really gutting the wing hard and putting false ribs to simply building a built up wing for it.  Also adding a little wing area by extending the wing tips an inch each side and maybe adding a half inch or three quarter inch trailing edge extension. Then thought about hinging the TE extension as a flap instead...
I came to realise that though I really loved the thing, it would need total redesign to really make it come alive. The only modification I ever did to it was to double the elevator area. It just did not want to turn with the original. Buddy, let me tell you it would turn after the mod!!!

As for me and the Musciano events, I doubt I will ever be close enough to one to go, therefore I shall do as I see fit for this one which will probably be stock but I will make some measurements and tracings for further musings.
It is my understanding the Golden Hawk was a much better flier "out of the box" than many of the other planes. For this reason I doubt i will make many changes to the kit. Not because of being able to fly the contests.

If indeed I decide to build a "Super Golden Hawk" it will most likely have a built up fuse stretched a couple of inches to the rear and probably an inch add in front of the existing firewall.  A built up symmetrical wing with a few extra squares to top it off. It would be far from a Golden  Hawk but the inspiration would be there... Ideas...

Robert
 
Robert

George, Stock it shall be. True enough I may not be able to attend a Musciano event, I could enter by proxy. Cool!

Now for some ideas for a way cool paint job!

Anyone?

Does anyone have a color scan of the original decals? I sure would like to see them.


Robert

Although not "hollow log legal", the modified Golden Hawk you proposed would be pretty much like the Cadet, of which I built two.

The Scientific Cadet really flew !!!

It had a 1/16" balsa box fuselage and a wing with 1 inches of true builtup airfoil, plus 2" tips for a total span of 22".   

For small models like the Ford Flivver or the Zig Zag, careful balsa selection, much fuse hollowing, and careful painting can lead to a very light model. The Blackhawk Golden Hawk is designed for the rough and tumble of day to day use, and rightfully so. It would work OK in the Musciano Team Race, but not so well in Stunt or Speed. Anyway, these heavier kit models are great for teaching kids to fly...and crash...and flly...etc.

If you work at it, a Zig Zag or Stuntmaster fuse can be as light as 10 grams, unpainted and no firewall. A typical Scientific 18", 3" chord wing also can be 10 grams. Together, this is only a little over 2/3rds of an ounce.

As an example, I have a Ford Flivver in Winter storage. Painted, no controls, no motor, no landing gear, but ready to go with 2-56 blind mounts, is 40 grams. This is about 1.4 ounces. This lightening is for contest use, and I wouldn't use it for Team Race. Currell