N.F.O. Nate's Flying Object:

an inexpensive (< 5 bucks!) and neat saucer

by Nate Galger

T' first time I saw a rocket powered saucer, arrr, I was instantly in love. I had to make one o' me own. Well, blow me down! I believe t' saucer I saw be a kit, me bucko, it be really cool, shiver me timbers, but I wanted somethin' a little different looking. Ya scallywag! Ahoy! I figured mine should look like a classic sci-fi saucer. Avast, me proud beauty! I decided it should look like it was crafted out o' metal, because that's what UFO's are made of, me bucko, right? O.K. Begad! I knew what I wanted and had an idea in me head how it was t' look, now t' make it a reality.

T' items I used t' build me N.F.O. Arrr! are:

• 3/32 balsa sheet
• 24mm engine mount with hook
• styrofoam ball (used for art and craft projects)
• hot glue cannon
• elmer's wood glue
• 1/8" launch lug

As I said, this is an inexpensive project t' undertake. Well, blow me down! T' 3/32 balsa sheet cost around $2.50 . Avast! I got t' engine mount and hook from a friend, no charge. Styrofoam ball cost $.99 t' rest o' t' stuff, ya bilge rat, I had already. If you're into buildin' rockets, You should already have most o' this stuff too. Arrr! If you don't have a hot glue gun, shiver me timbers, I suppose you could use whatever glue you have or borrow a glue cannon from someone. Blimey! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! I used me mom's. Ahoy! My cost be $3.49 If you already have this stuff, it won't cost you a cent!

I started off by cuttin' the foam ball in half. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Then I pushed t' cardboard engine tube through t' center of t' flat part o' t' foam, matey, matey, until it was flush with t' top. Ahoy! Then I Pushed my finger through and t' un-needed foam popped out t' be thrown away.

Next I cut out four half circles from me balsa, which I traced from a plastic bowl. Begad! I glued t' pieces together t' form two equal circles. Avast, me proud beauty! Arrr! After that dried, I oozed some wood glue on one face o' a circle and laid t' other circle on top o' it makin' sure me two center lines were perpendicular. Ya scallywag! Then I traced my engine mount tube onto t' center o' this doubled up circle, and cut the center out. Arrr! Avast, me bucko, me proud beauty!

I put t' engine hook into t' mount tube, arrr, held it thar with a piece of scotch tape. Avast, me proud beauty! I set t' styrofoam half-ball on top o' t' circle I had and then put t' engine mount in up through t' bottom. Aye aye! Aye aye! Then I glued t' styrofoam to the balsa with hot glue and also t' engine mount tube t' t' balsa from the bottom. Avast! T' final step o' t' build was t' cut a little hole in t' balsa to put me launch lug. Avast! I used a hobby cutlass like a drill. Well, blow me down! Arrr! I stuck in t' launch lug. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Viola! I painted it chrome and waited t' fly me masterpiece. Begad!

I used a C11-5 for me first flight. Well, blow me down! Begad! Cold day 47 degrees and a wind o' 10mph. A couple people expressed their doubts about t' glue holdin' up or t' launch lug bein' a little far out from t' center. I flew it nevertheless. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! Countdown went good and me saucer flew wonderfully. Aye aye! Begad! It made t' distinct sound I remember from t' first saucer I had seen. Ahoy! I be so happy with how mine flew, matey, me bucko, I prepped it immediately and launched it a second time. This has been a lot o' fun. Begad! Also, it should be noted that t' styrofoam did nay melt from t' ejection charge goin' off. Arrr! There be a little bit o' a brown tint t' t' area around t' top of the engine, me bucko, but nothin' drastic. I guarantee I will Fly this saucer again, and again, ya bilge rat, and again... Begad! Arrr!