Although he's been busy with several projects over the past few months, MMAC member Mike Kenney had a chance to enjoy the fruits of his labor on a misty Saturday morning this fall. This latest project started as a stock Midwest Cherokee kit, but evolved into a one-of-a-kind model with some clever modifications to the plans.
"I just started fiddling around with some minor changes and realized that I could convert the Piper into a Mooney quite easily." Mike comments, "The most notable modification is the forward-swept vertical stabilizer...a Mooney trademark." In order to get the stab just right, Mike spent some time researching photographs of Mooney aircraft on the Internet.
With a 61" wingspan, Mike powers his plane with a Supertigre .45 fitted with with a Pitts-style muffler tucked inside a Fiberglass Specialties cowl. Painted with Jet White LustreKote, the cowl perfectly matches the beautiful red and white MonoKote covering. He also deviated from the plans by converting the single aileron servo to double aileron servos to allow for more positive control and flaperon airbrakes.
Mike's first flights went very well...with just a few adjustments. Great job, Mike!
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