Weetabix Wonderplane (oz10329)

About this Plan

Weetabix Wonderplane. Simple rubber sport model.

This was a free offer with Weetabix breakfast cereal, in 1957. Sport model, loosely based on the Auster AOP.

Note: not free, the kit actually cost 3/6d (17.5 pence in decimal) along with tokens from Weetabix boxes or flour. Thanks to Rod Moore for checking this.

Quote: "Send off now for your Weetabix Wonderplane construction kit - it's super! A real flying model, elastically powered, with metal propellor and a mainplane of true aerofoil shape - designed by aeronautical experts. Wing span 21 inches. Get your Weetabix Wonderplane now."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 10/08/2018: Rescaled this one to correct fullsize at 21 in wingspan.

Update 13/07/2020: Added printwood scan, and decals, thank to RodMoore.

Quote: "Hi, Attached are scans of the printed sheets for the Weetabix Wonderplane. They are just slightly too large for my A4 scanner, even putting on a diagonal cuts off a bit. The five printed sheets are each 3” x 12”, ww1a/b is 1/32nd sheet and the other four are 1/16” sheet. There are also four more 3” x 12” x 1/32” sheets that are used to make the wings. I scanned in Jpeg black and white but did last page in colour to show the propeller, nose button and wheels. The prop is a flat alloy blank 5-5/8 diameter and 0.03” (0.85mm) thick. Nose button and wheels (1” diameter) are plastic. The two discs are slices of 3/8” dowel 1/8” thick. The kit also included a 10 ¾” piece of 0.046” diameter wire and 24” of 3/16” flat rubber strip.

I suspect the kit was designed and produced by Veron but may be wrong. Note there is no instruction to twist the prop blades. The Weetabix address label on the box is dated 16/4/57 and has a code E225A, the printed postmark is franked 1/2/57 in London. This is probably a later version having plastic wheels. The other box I have is dated 29/1/57 with code B212, this had postage stamps but one is missing and the frank is illegible. The two kits I built in early 1957 just had the balsa wheels on the wood sheet. I contacted Weetabix some time ago about the Wonderplane but got no reply.

Also added scan of the decal sheet. Waterslide transfers, large is 1 1/2" diameter, small is 1". They look a bit fuzzy as the protective cover is still attached.

If you need more information and pictures let me know... Regards,"

Planfile includes instructions.

Update 30/7/2023: Added later article from Model Flyer, February 2005, thanks to RFJ.

Update 28/2/2024: Added Lightburn files, thanks to RodMoore.

Quote: "Having recently acquired a laser cutter this model proved ideal to help me learn how to use the software driving the cutter. At risk of preaching to the converted, balsa is harder to cut and engrave than plywood. Etching and cutting speeds vary greatly with balsa grain and hardness. The test piece uses ascending power levels to enable you to set up the cutting power and speed of your laser.

This program uses .lbrn2 files. If necessary, these can either be converted or used as a basis for your machine. Part numbers don’t really need to be printed or the flat decking cut out.

I altered the nose block assembly, use a cocktail stick to align the parts. The easiest way to form wingtips is to use a very soft block. Alternatively cut the top wing panel to shape, half cut through the lower panel by the rib and bend up.

As an aside, I have made several of these powered by rubber and electric, even a cardboard one, and am now experimenting with a wing without the bottom panel. All a far cry from the originals I made over 70 years ago!"

Supplementary file notes

Article (MF 2005).
Decals.
Lighburn files (zipfile).
Printwood.

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