Return to Ultralight Glory — A One-of-a-Kind CGS Hawk Receives a Special Honor
You can come see the work-in-process in a couple weeks at Sun ‘n Fun 2022. Bob announced, “We plan to have the fuselage and some components on display at our vendor’s site during the show.” How did Bob and son LB happen to obtain Hawk #1?
As old enough readers may recall, Hawk #1 won Best New Aircraft Design at Sun ‘n Fun 1982. The design went on to win many other awards at subsequent airshows and competitions. The storied aircraft last flew down Paradise City’s grass runway in April of 2006, just before Chuck donated it to the Sun ‘n Fun museum at Lakeland Linder Airfield.
Bob continued, “After the acquisition, Tim and Laura moved to Tennessee and took Hawk #1 with them, storing it in Tim’s rented hangar, again with the intention of renovating her someday.
“Unfortunately, and tragically, Tim was killed in a light aircraft crash on September 10, 2020, in Sweetwater, Tennessee. Laura was not able to keep the hangar and moved Hawk #1 to a barn at her home.
“Since Tim and Laura were longtime Hawk fans,” Bob remembered, “our paths crossed after we acquired the single seat and ultralight manufacturing rights. Conversations ensued about how most everyone believed that Hawk #1 was a very important and historical airplane, worthy of preservation. As [one of] the first true three-axis ultralight-type flying machines that literally and positively changed our industry for many years to come, restoring #1 is a tribute to Chuck as well as all of the Hawk faithful.”
Being authentic means installing the correct original engine used on Hawk #1. Bob and LB report a Cuyuna 430 engine has been refinished, rebuilt, and test run. It looks and sounds great. “Gary Grimm from Weston, Ohio, performed that rebuild for us and wouldn’t take a dime,” Bob stated, “as he felt strongly that bringing Hawk #1 back to life for the 2022 airshows was a great way to pay tribute to CGS Hawk and to Chuck personally.”
An original 60-27 wooden Culver Prop was sent out to Alaina Lewis from Valley Engineering in Rolla Missouri (also the company behind the since-discontinued Backyard Flyer). She refinished that original prop for the project, again with then understanding that the prop will not be used in flight. Alaina did a wonderful job; it is beautiful.
“My personal toast to Chuck has been stated many times before,” Bob emphasized. “Thank you, Chuck, for a wonderful airplane, and the opportunity to be the temporary caretaker of this wonderful flying machine, until it’s time for someone else to carry the company flag for future generations to come.
www.cgshawk.net
www.bydanjohnson.com
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