DSK-1 Hawk
DSK Airmotive · United States · first flew 1973 · light aircraft
The DSK-1 Hawk is an American single-seat homebuilt sport aircraft designed by Richard Killingsworth, notable for its fuselage constructed from a 200-US-gallon military drop tank. Over 250 sets of plans were sold, making it a minor success in the homebuilt community.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Fuselage built from a repurposed military drop tank |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Fuselage built from a repurposed military drop tank
- Very compact low-wing homebuilt with fixed tricycle gear
- Drooping ailerons that also serve as flaps
The circular-section drop-tank fuselage gives a distinctly cylindrical appearance unusual for a homebuilt; at 4.57 m long it is exceptionally compact even among single-seat ultralights.
Specifications
- The DSK-1 Hawk has a length of 4.57 m (15 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.2 m (20 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 235 km/h (146 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown on 26 May 1973, the DSK-1 demonstrated that a competent home builder could produce a fast, capable aircraft from surplus materials. The drop-tank fuselage provided a smooth, low-drag shell that contributed to the aircraft's respectable top speed. Its low stall speed of around 90 km/h also made it practical.
Variants
Plans-built only; no factory or certified variants.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively as amateur-built homebuilt aircraft; no military or commercial service.
Related aircraft
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