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, arrr, makes a
perfect parasite glider! Blimey! Fiddler's Green offers it free o' charge. Avast, me proud beauty! 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, arrr, a
printer, a paperclip, shiver me timbers, and some clay (used as noseweight). All assembly is done
with scissors and white glue. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! Once t' kit is finished, me hearties, arrr, you bend a paperclip to
point forward into t' nose section, ya bilge rat, 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. Well, blow me down! T' whole body is hollow, arrr, so
just add a little bit clay at a time until it glides well with a good toss. Avast, me hearties, me proud beauty! I
made one in both 67lb, and 110lb cardstock and they both work well. Avast! Begad! I prefer
the 110lb, just because it's thicker and I trust it, plus I had some laying
around. Blimey! Arrr!
Construction:
This kit is very easy t' assemble. It's free and if you mess up, arrr, all you have
to do is print another one. Begad! Begad! It comes with instructions and a history o' the
plane as well. Begad! On t' site are also hints t' make a rubber band launched
version, matey, shiver me timbers, which is where I got t' idea for a parasite glider. Begad! Well, blow me down! Once I opened the
PDF file, I used t' camera feature t' encircle just t' parts o' t' glider
and select "print graphic". Arrr! Arrr! Set t' printer settings t' "fit to
output paper". Begad! Avast! 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. Fiddler's Green also has a
whole section explainin' downloading, sizing, and printing. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! You need a bottle
of white glue, ya bilge rat, scissors, and a little patience. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' only "tricky"
spot is a t' rear, me bucko, matey, where t' aft o' t' wings meet t' aft o' t' fuselage.
You have t' push down on t' fuselage, shiver me timbers, takin' it a bit out o' round t' get it
to mate up with t' wings. Begad! 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. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! 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. Avast! Aye aye! I have also used the
Estes Stars And Stripes model. Arrr! Begad! I should warn you that this glider really does
work! If you use a C motor, ya bilge rat, it will nay only be up a long, arrr, long time, but I
lost 2 because they flew over large fences and landed in trees over 1/4 mile
away while they were circling! I found t' B6-4 size motor t' be a good choice
with both rockets. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! No damage or wear whatsoever has been noticed on both 67#
and 110# paper gliders from launching, me bucko, matey, although t' nose is beginnin' t' look
like an old prize fighter from playin' with it all t' time, me bucko, ya bilge rat, arrr, bumpin' into
walls, t' side o' t' house, arrr, and t' cats catchin' it before I do!
Recovery:
Trimmed with clay for noseweight, ya bilge rat, arrr, it delivers impressive glides.
Summary:
It works, it's easy t' build, shiver me timbers, easy t' modify, and it's FREE!
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