A Younkin-Dake Mullicoupe is a two-place monoplane modeled on a

Monocoupe 90 The Monocoupe 90 was a two-seat, light cabin airplane built by Donald A. Luscombe for Monocoupe Aircraft.Eden and Moeng 2002 p. 993 The first Monocoupe (Model 5) was built in an abandoned church in Davenport, Iowa, and first flew on April 1, 192 ...

and ''Mister Mulligan'', a

Howard DGA-6 The Howard DGA-6 was a pioneer racing plane, nicknamed "Mister Mulligan". It was the only airplane ever designed for the specific purpose of winning the Bendix Trophy. The plane was designed and developed by Ben Howard and Gordon Israel, who late ...

History

Jim Younkin of

Springdale, Arkansas Springdale is the List of cities and towns in Arkansas, fourth-largest city in Arkansas, United States. It is located in both Washington County, Arkansas, Washington and Benton County, Arkansas, Benton counties in Northwest Arkansas. Located on th ...

completed a frame of this aircraft in 1989 and a homebuilt model earlier in 1985 with the help from Bud Dake. Three Mullicoupes were flying by 1997. The idea of this design came to Younkin and Dake at the

Ottumwa, Iowa Ottumwa ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Wapello County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,529 at the time of the 2020 U.S. Census. Located in the state's southeastern section, the city is split into northern and southern halves b ...

Antique Airplane Association The Antique Airplane Association, Inc. (AAA) is the oldest antique airplane association in the world. The AAA formed in August 1953 by Robert L. Taylor (aviator), Robert L. Taylor,"Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame: Inductees - 1994 - Robert L. Taylor." I ...

's Fly-In in 1982 after a discussion about Younkin's ''Mister Mulligan''. Bud Dake suggested they design a 2-seat aircraft which would be as fast as the ''Mister Mulligan'' but powered by a smaller P&W R-985 engine. Younkin then designed a scale model which was somewhat of a cross between the Benny Howard-designed ''Mister Mulligan'' but with the fuselage shape of a Monocoupe. The Mullicoupes are a clean-sheet design utilizing a steel tube fuselage double-covered in fabric with built up wood wings skinned in aircraft plywood. The airfoil used on the Mullicoupe is the NACA 23012 having a chord of 63", but with an elliptical and tapered planform. The flaps are full

Fowler flaps A flap is a high-lift device used to reduce the stalling speed of an aircraft wing at a given weight. Flaps are usually mounted on the wing trailing edges of a fixed-wing aircraft. Flaps are used to reduce the take-off distance and the landing ...

that travel on hidden hinges built into the wings, which is another Younkin original design.

Today

Three original Mullicoupes were created and a fourth was started but never finished. At present they are owned by Mark Holliday, Mr. Younkin himself, and Red Lerille. A fourth Mullicoupe, owned by Stein Bruch of

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

, is being completed with the assistance of Jim Younkin. The Black/Red Mullicoupe N274Y which was completed by Bud Dake (deceased) is owned by Mark Holliday, is on display and flies at the Vintage Aero Flying Museum,

Platte Valley Airpark Platte Valley Airpark is a public-use airport three miles northwest of Hudson, Colorado, Hudson, in Weld County, Colorado, Weld County, Colorado, United States. It is privately owned by Platte Valley Airpark Ltd. and is northeast of Denver, Color ...

Hudson, Colorado The Town of Hudson is a home rule municipality in Weld County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,356 at the 2010 census. A post office called Hudson has been in operation since 1883. The town derives its name from the town company ...

. Mr. Holliday is known to travel extensively with this black and red Mullicoupe, making appearances at

fly-in A fly-in is a pre-arranged gathering of aircraft, pilots and passengers for recreational and social purposes. Fly-ins may be formally or informally organised, members of the public may or may not be invited, the gathering may be at an airport or ...

s around the American Midwest. The Red Younkin-owned Mullicoupe N273X suffered a loss of power which resulted in a forced landing in a field near Siloam Springs, Arkansas on November 10, 2009. The aircraft suffered significant damage, but is currently being repaired.

Specifications (Mullicoupe original version)

References

External links

{{commons category, Younkin-Dake Mullicoupe
Stein Bruch's Mullicoupe

EAA's Timeless Voices of Aviation
2003 Archives article: ''Voice of the Week - Jim Younkin'', written Sept. 23, 2003.
EAA's Timeless Voices of Aviation, ''Voice of the Week - Jim Younkin''

1980s United States civil utility aircraft 1980s United States sport aircraft High-wing aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft

History

Today

Specifications (Mullicoupe original version)

See also

References

External links