I am madly in love with a Howard DGA-15P. I have read whatever I have been able to find in Internet about it, but I would like to hear you guy's opinion on this bird. Any of you have first hand experience with it, owned it, flown it, have a friend who has one??? I really would like go know about its flying characteristics. The engine I know well since I have three airplanes with that same engine, but how does it fly?

Eduardo

Great looking bird. I know of one for sale in Atlanta, GA area if you are interested. PM with an email address and I can send pics and specs.

Not that it helps ! But I jumped out of one, (N65046) many times, at Elsinore CA in the summer of 1971.
Seemed to be a good solid airplane !! Never flew one !!

There are a number of them around the upper Midwest. A friend of mine who has flown them said that his impression is that they make you a good weight lifter. Heavy on the aileron controls.

Fast and comfortable though for passengers.

There is a yellow Howard DGA-15 at Boulder city soon to be in Hurricane, it airport. I've flown in several times over the last year .Great old bird

I know two brothers who bought one military surplus, jumped in it and headed from Georgia to Alaska back in the fifties I think. They made it to somewhere in Canada and ran out of money, had to have the guy they were going to work for send them some for gas to make Fairbanks.
All I can say is that they really liked the plane, said it was very smooth and stable to fly, a bit twitchy on the ground.

For every thing you want to know about a Howard DGA15 contact Bruce Dickinson at Santa Paula airport CA He flys one rebuilds them ect . Bent prop

Thanks for your comments guys. I really like the old bird, and would love to have one. I've read a lot about it in the net, and feel like it's the plane I've been looking for. As to been twitchy on the ground, yeah, I've read that also, but then again I own a 450 Stearman and that's twitchy on the ground also.

Bent Prop, I'll give the guy a call, thanks!

Eduardo

By the way, while researching the Howard, I found the Mullicoupe. For those who don't know it, check it out!! This airplane was designed by Jim Younkin, Matt Younkin's grandfather. He wanted a two seat Mr. Mulligan, so he went out and built one. There were 4 built, and this one was damaged in a dead stick landing by Matt, after the engine quit.

http://www.pacificflyer.com/wp-content/ ... icoupe.jpg

Eduardo

We have two Howard DGA's flying on our field. And, one an hour away in Little Rock, AR.

You probably know DGA stands for "Damn Good Airplane." Thirties humor I guess.

What a classy, nice flying bird. Big, lumbering and arriving in style. You already know how good the engine is.....

I find with all the room in the plane, it feels tight on leg room and I'm not a fan of the pushed in panel. But, they fly really nice and otherwise roomy and comfortable. If they're too heavy on the ailerons, it's likely the 70 year old bearings need replacing and cables retensioned.

It's a kitten on the ground, but the gear will rebound heavily (known to slingshot) if you plop it in.

I would recommend you really go see one. And, why don't you try and reach the Howard Club? They have a flyin every year at Cable, WI USA the week before Oshkosh, then they fly to Oshkosh.

You already know the fuel burn. Plan 130-140 kts, depending on altitude.

Iflylower, thanks for your input. I have been thinking about going to the Cable flyin. That would be the best way to get to know this bird intimately. Have you ever flown one, or just flown in one?

Eduardo

Anyone on here remember Joe Williams in Reno? He operated an air ambulance service using a former Navy DGA 15 fitted as an ambulance.An impressive match. I'll have to dig up the N #, bet it's still around.

The "15" is a great plane....but the best one is the DGA-11. That's the one that Clayton Scott and I talked about getting into production years ago. It's the hotrod of the the series, being lighter, but still roomy. There are 3 that I know of...
John

I went flying in a '34 Howard DGA-15P just today. My ex-hangar mate is restoring one at Pierce County Airport in Puyallup, WA, and she's a beauty. He has redone the panel and interior (leather) and just installed a completely reworked cowling, prop and spinner. Very cushy in flight and smooth and easy to land, so long as you pay attention. Would be a very airplane to own, but she's a thirsty beast.

Great looking aircraft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ_axTMPZek

dprathe, I have heard that the15 is not that easy to land, but I'm sure is not any more difficult than my 450 Stearman. Now, that's an airplane you have to fly all the way to the hangar! Ever flown the15?? How does it handle?

Eduardo

X2 on the guy at Santa Paula, CA. He knows those airplanes. There are two or three Howards there. There is one homebuilt airplane he built which is half Mr. Mulligan (DGA-6) and half DGA-15 I believe. Gorgeous airplane!

Here's some "Howard" video from my flight yesterday. I've flown this particular airplane many times, but not during takeoff or landing. In the air it's solid, smooth and fast. It prefers wheel landings and likes to cross the numbers @80 mph IAS. I've been aboard during many takeoffs and landings and it doesn't seem to have any odd handling characteristics. I am told, however, that as a heavy TW airplane, once it goes, it's gone, so demands the utmost in attention. The owner is a superb pilot and has not yet had any close calls that I'm aware of. I have him talked into flying it to JC, so it's just a matter of when.

http://youtu.be/HsSPmUeb4O0

BRD: Awesome pix of a beautiful airplane. Thanks for sharing them with us!

Eduardo