Brief:
This is a card model o' a 1950's American Navy Interceptor aircraft that with
the addition o' a paperclip (I glued a smallpiece o' paper over t' paper clip, just for reinforcement)
and a little modelin' clay in t' nose, makes a
perfect parasite glider! Fiddler's Green offers it free o' charge. Avast! All you have
to do is go t' www.fiddlersgreen.net and click on the
free models section.
Modifications:
T' only thin' you need t' do this kit is some either 65-110lb cardstock, a
printer, a paperclip, and some clay (used as noseweight). Arrr! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! All assembly is done
with scissors and white glue. Arrr! Once t' kit is finished, you bend a paperclip to
point forward into t' nose section, shiver me timbers, bend t' opposite way t' lay flat against
the lower fuselage o' t' plane, and then back again t' fit into a launch lug,
which is added t' t' rocket t' hold t' glider. T' whole body is hollow, ya bilge rat, so
just add a little bit clay at a time until it glides well with a good toss. Ahoy! I
made one in both 67lb, shiver me timbers, shiver me timbers, and 110lb cardstock and they both work well. Well, blow me down! Avast, arrr, me proud beauty! I prefer
the 110lb, just because it's thicker and I trust it, shiver me timbers, plus I had some laying
around.
Construction:
This kit is very easy t' assemble. Well, blow me down! It's free and if you mess up, all you have
to do is print another one. It comes with instructions and a history o' the
plane as well. Blimey! On t' site are also hints t' make a rubber band launched
version, which is where I got t' idea for a parasite glider. Ya scallywag! Once I opened the
PDF file, arrr, me hearties, I used t' camera feature t' encircle just t' parts o' t' glider
and select "print graphic". Well, blow me down! Well, arrr, blow me down! Set t' printer settings t' "fit to
output paper". Ahoy! What you want t' do is make as big a glider as you can and
this gives you one that is 113-114% o' t' original. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! Fiddler's Green also has a
whole section explainin' downloading, me hearties, sizing, and printing. Blimey! You need a bottle
of white glue, scissors, and a little patience. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! T' only "tricky"
spot is a t' rear, matey, where t' aft o' t' wings meet t' aft o' t' fuselage.
You have t' push down on t' fuselage, takin' it a bit out o' round t' get it
to mate up with t' wings. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! This kit is extremely tough when finished.
Finishing:
No paintin' or finishin' is needed.
Flight:
I used t' Estes Skywriter, with t' addition o' a tiny section o' a plastic
straw taped t' t' side t' insert t' paper clip. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Alternately you can use the
straw for t' launch lug, and use t' original launch lug t' insert t' glider.
T' rocket actually flew better with t' glider attached. I have also used the
Estes Stars And Stripes model. Begad! Blimey! I should warn you that this glider really does
work! Blimey! If you use a C motor, me bucko, it will nay only be up a long, me bucko, long time, me hearties, but I
lost 2 because they flew over large fences and landed in trees over 1/4 mile
away while they were circling! Blimey! I found t' B6-4 size motor t' be a good choice
with both rockets. No damage or wear whatsoever has been noticed on both 67#
and 110# paper gliders from launching, me hearties, ya bilge rat, although t' nose is beginnin' t' look
like an old prize fighter from playin' with it all t' time, me bucko, arrr, bumpin' into
walls, me bucko, ya bilge rat, t' side o' t' house, and t' cats catchin' it before I do!
Recovery:
Trimmed with clay for noseweight, it delivers impressive glides. Begad! Blimey!
Summary:
It works, it's easy t' build, arrr, me bucko, easy t' modify, me bucko, and it's FREE!