I've been asked to start a thread about this rather obscure design, which was published in American Modeller magazine 6301. Other than the designer's model I have only seen a picture of one other Cuda. As I recall it was all black and sported a bubble canopy rather than the jet styled canopy of Peck's model. My version reproduces the original design as close as possible save for a slightly extended nose. I wanted to keep the original L.G placement but I needed a larger tank capacity for the Rojett .40 engine I'm using. This is a complex model to build and proper alignment of all components is very critical to flight performance. I have only the simulated tail afterburners to make and it will be ready to finish.

Back in the mid 60's I started building a Barracuda in the basement of a flying buddy (Al Kraus) who is also a forum member. I had it about 75% built when other personal higher priorities (changed jobs, got married etc.) took me away from the hobby for several years. I sold off some of my modelling stuff to buy furniture and other necessities of life and I don't remember what happened to my first Cuda. Perhaps Al remembers .... Al? Building another Cuda was always in the back of my mind until now.

I saw an original Barracuda, built by John Peck, in Wynn Pauls basement back in 1972.
I remember it had a very cool pearl white paint job that was beautifully done. I wonder if Wynn still has it?
It would be fun to start a thread on where some of these old, well known planes are now. I am sure many still exist in the attics and basements of people that bought, inherited or are "just looking after" some famous stunters.
Recently I came upon one of Jimmy Casales planes in a storage shed while I was attending a "Motorcycle Introduction" party in Jupiter Florida.
Not to worry----the owner was aware of what he had since he purchased it fron Jimmy back in the late nineteen eighties.

KUDOES for taking on such an awesome project! 

I too saw the original way back when, just a wonderful piece of sculpture.  The paint work was beauiful but for me the signature of the Barracuda is in all those fuselage cross sections.

Thanks for posting this, Dennis.  I am glad to see more pictures! I remember the complexity of the plans.  I see you did an I-Beam in place of the complicated rib set up shown on the Hobby Helper plans.  IIRC, there were several different rib sections shown for the different sections of wing.  Good choice.

Look forward to more WIP pictures!

Bill

HI Dennis,

I'll have to dig out those HH Barracuda plans when I go down in the basement today.   My old memory thought the ribs were full and cut out for a main spar similar to the first Novi.  Sorry!

Bill

Very nice job! Neat design and certainly something that you won't see a whole lineup of at the field. Any plans on the scheme yet? Just begs Cold War something to me.

 I really like the looks of the I-beamer wings, but they intimidate the heck out of me.

I plan to dress it up like the Avro Arrow in pearl white, orange and navy blue trim, and Canadian markings. Cuda has an Arrow styled canopy, turtledeck and simulated intakes.

I've built several I-beamers over the years and they go together quick & easy. There really isn't anything intimidating about this construction method other than the ribs are a little delicate before covering is appled. I do prefer Steve Wooley type L.E. rather than the Werage type the Cuda has because Wooley's provides more "meat" to work with and there is more stability for gluing the ribs at the L.E. I have one of Walters Cobra kits, which needs just a little more aging before decanting. 

Some where either here on this forum or over on Stuka Stunt Works there is a post about making the jig for making ribs for I-Beam wings.  Get a coffee can and the wood you are to use for the ribs.  Also a sharp E-Xacto with extra blades.  Start cutting ribs with quite a few extras.  You will have to laminate the ones next to the fuse.  Once the fuse is done enough to put the spar, LE and TE in and jigged, you will be surprised at how easy it is to frame up the wing.  Once done with which ever side you started with, flip the whole thing over and check your jigging set up for straightness, do this side.  This is when you find out you forgot the bellcrank and landing gear mounts.  Bobby Hunt has a very well done video on building I-Beam wings.  Worth every penny(dollar).

Some where either here on this forum or over on Stuka Stunt Works there is a post about making the jig for making ribs for I-Beam wings.  Get a coffee can and the wood you are to use for the ribs.  Also a sharp E-Xacto with extra blades.  Start cutting ribs with quite a few extras.  You will have to laminate the ones next to the fuse.  Once the fuse is done enough to put the spar, LE and TE in and jigged, you will be surprised at how easy it is to frame up the wing.  Once done with which ever side you started with, flip the whole thing over and check your jigging set up for straightness, do this side.  This is when you find out you forgot the bellcrank and landing gear mounts.  Bobby Hunt has a very well done video on building I-Beam wings.  Worth every penny(dollar).

Hi Doc!

Pretty good tutorial!  For the wide ribs at the fuselage, make them from "wide" balsa! (1/2" or 3/4") 

The bellcrank can go in any time.  But it's best to put the flap horn in place before you add the TE, even before you glue the rear of the fuselage together! LOL!!  You can build the fuselage box, tack glue the blocks on and finish it up before ever working on the wing.  Just pop the blocks back off for hollowing and you still have the straight top line that is critical in building the I-Beamers.  If you use the regular wire LG legs attached to the spar, then they don't go in until the whole wing is done, minus a couple ribs to get to the mounting holes.

As you say, it looks intimidating, but in reality is is in many ways easier than building a C or D tube wing model.

Merry Christmas!