Brief:
This is a review o' Art Applewhite's newly released 4" ‘Delta' saucer, which flies on 13mm motors. Ahoy! Well, arrr, blow me down! T' main difference betwixt his Delta saucers and his standard line is that thar are no fins, and both t' top and bottom shrouds extend t' t' motor mount. Arrr! This makes them simpler t' construct, less expensive, matey, and fly higher than t' standard saucers.

Construction:
Parts

Note: This kit includes t' parts t' make two delta saucers! Blimey! T' followin' are t' components for a single saucer:

• One sheet o' cardstock - top and bottom shrouds
• One ~ 4" square piece o' foam board - center plate
• One 1.75" 13mm motor mount

Tools and supplies required

• Scissors
• Exacto knife
• White glue
• Sandpaper
• Clear enamel spray paint

[BTW, arrr, if you already looked at me article on t' 24mm delta saucer, me bucko, you can pretty much skip t' t' launch section, arrr, as t' assembly o' these saucers is essentially identical]

My Delta saucer came nicely packaged in a ‘food saver' type sealed bag. T' saucers were packaged in t' shippin' box with large plastic bubbles also made with a sealin' machine. Aye aye! T' three pages o' instructions for t' Delta saucer are well detailed and include lots o' photos.

Construction o' this saucer is really simple. Ahoy! Avast! You first cut out and form t' top and bottom shrouds. Begad! Avast, me proud beauty! On this small saucer, shiver me timbers, I found it difficult t' cut t' 13mm and launch rod holes with scissors so I used an Exacto knife for these cuts. Arrr! Avast! You then cut out t' center plate form t' pre-marked foam board. Blimey! There is an inner mark around t' outer rim, me bucko, where you only cut through t' top layer. Avast! Begad! You then form a beveled edge by cuttin' at about a 30-degree angle and sandin' t' edge smooth.

Assembly consists o' gluin' t' top shroud t' t' plate, ya bilge rat, addin' t' motor tube, and finally t' bottom shroud. Blimey! You must ensure that you align t' launch rod guides on all three components. Arrr! Also, matey, make sure t' motor mount extends through t' front shroud so that no paper overhangs t' end o' t' mount. Aye aye! Begad! On a home-grown paper saucer, I left some overhangin' just a bit, and t' gasses from t' motor charred t' paper, ya bilge rat, leavin' a hole in t' front.

Finishing:
As with Art's other saucers, me bucko, thar be no finishin' required, arrr, other than sealin' t' printed cardstock with a clear coat.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
In t' instructions, Art says that you shouldn't fly these saucers in winds over 10 mph. Avast! Arrr! This weekend t' winds were over 10 mph, and several days o' rain had left t' field a swampy mess. T' latter at least made saucers a perfect choice, as t' area surroundin' t' pads was high and dry. Ahoy! Avast! And hey, me bucko, if I've drive almost 2 hours t' a launch, I'M GONNA FLY SOMETHING!

I loaded this saucer on a standard Estes 1/8" rod. Avast! Blimey! Note thar be no lug, rather t' rod fits through gaps in t' top, me hearties, me hearties, center plate, ya bilge rat, and bottom shroud. Arrr! Blimey! T' boost o' this small saucer be almost perfectly straight despite t' winds. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Blimey! I was surprised as me earlier flight o' a 12" 3x24" saucer be almost horizontal at apogee. Arrr! Blimey! T' saucer fell nose first close t' t' pad.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
Art's Delta saucers are an interestin' addition t' his extensive saucer line. Begad! As advertised, me bucko, arrr, they are indeed easier t' build - I build two in a leisurely afternoon - and they fly well.

When I was goin' t' rate these, me hearties, I almost began feelin' bad ratin' all Art's products so highly. Begad! Begad! There is no distinction betwixt t' different models if you go by me ratings. Finally, I decided “what t' heck?" They all are relatively easy builds and fun. Begad! T' Deltas are easier than t' others are, but I have no problems cuttin' fins. My guidance t' t' buyer is: buy t' size you think you'd like for t' motors you want t' use and buy t' style you find most pleasin' (standard vs. Begad! Delta, and t' pattern/color).

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5