Quicksilver MX
This was what my "new" MX looked like after I brought it home and put it back together. Powered by a Cuyuna ULII at about 30 hp, the only modification was a "steerable" nose wheel made out of the front forks of a bicycle. This was the first item to go!
By the time this picture was taken, three-years and about $7,000 had slipped away. The little 30hp motor had trouble keeping my 250-pound body flying sometimes so a top-mount Rotax 503 with a large prop was installed. New sails, also made by Mark Smith, included extra wing ribs to tighten the sailcloth and reduce drag. "He man" bars were installed to make it easier to get in and out, rudder wire brace and some strobes were added (the airport wanted the strobes installed to make it easier to see).
Here you can see the fiberglass pod that I modified. Starting with the basic unit I added a sheet of lightweight aluminum where the windshield would normally be installed. This allowed me to have room for my size 13 shoes and 6'3" frame. A plywood dashboard was outfitted with tach/cylinder head temp. Gauge, compass, altimeter, CB radio, switches for the fuel pump and strobes. The battery case, mounted behind the seat, was made from two plastic electrical boxes bolted together. The boxes came in a blue that was very close to the paint scheme. The trim on the pod and tank were static cling transfers purchased at Wal-Mart. Mark also made the seat/tank and the padded cover that is larger than stock (it is hard to put a barrel butt in a bucket seat).
Two years after I sold my MX, a storm brought the roof of the hangar down on top of it. The plane was a total loss.
To visit Mark Smith's page, click here.
Click here to read about the "Bermuda Triangle Lake"
Click here to read about our Oshkosh Trip
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