Mini Catapult Glider (oz15123)
About this Plan
Mini Catapult Glider. Simple chuck glider model. Wingspan 8 in.
Quote: "CAD by Gene Rock"
Direct submission to Outerzone.
Update 21/2/2024: Added article, thanks to Pit.
Quote: "Mini Catapult Glider, by Chuck Markos. This little glider is capable of high-performance flights. When properly built and adjusted, it will reach an altitude of 60-75 feet, make a perfect transition to a glide in left-hand circles, and achieve flight durations of 30-40 seconds.
The Mini Catapult Glider is intended to complement the introduction to Free Flight models via the many Delta Dart construction and flying sessions that are held for schools, Scout groups, and AMA-sponsored programs. Its construction is specifically designed for a minimum of skills, time, money. and tools.
Flying results and fun with this model were much better than I had expected. This is one of the few models for which it is possible to have more flight time logged than building time spent. It is truly a small-field design, and if it is lost, no tears: it is as close as you can get to an expendable model airplane.
CONSTRUCTION: Fuselage: This component has the most complicated construction requirements. The long taper cuts are difficult for the beginner. The shallow bottom-side cut must be made with some precision to set the angular difference between the wing and stabilizer. Without this angular difference, the glider may want to fly upside-down!
To cut a long taper in balsa, use a metal straightedge and a single-edge razor blade or hobby knife. Hold the straightedge on the line you wish to cut and draw the blade next to the metal. If the wood is quite hard, don't try to cut all the way through, but make several light cuts to complete the job.
The launching hook can be made front a paper clip. Use pliers to hold it as you bend the clip back and forth until metal fatigue causes it to break, This is much safer than using a wire cutter, which will leave a sharp end that can cause injury later.
Once the hook is formed, use a straight pin to make a pilot hole in the bottom of the fuselage, then push the launching hook into the hole and wrap with sewing thread. Glue well with cyanoacrylate glue..."
Update 21/2/2024: Added scan of original plan drawing, as printed in the 1999 article, thanks to Pit.
Supplementary file notes
Article.
Original plan drawing (from article scan).
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(oz15123)
Mini Catapult Glider
by Chuck Markos
from Model Aviation
May 1999
8in span
Glider F/F
clean :)
all formers complete :)
got article :) -
Submitted: 25/01/2024
Filesize: 150KB
Format: • PDFvector
Credit*: theshadow
Downloads: 454
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User comments
Anyone else notice the article and plans don't match? In the article the center section is flat, on the plans it has polyheadralThomas Solinski - 21/02/2024
original plan page in the article (omitted) has no polyehdral wing, like in the photos. For some reason (the Venerable) Gene Rock introduced this modification in his version. Gene probably wanted to use it for both hand launch or catapult. There always a reason in his "not casually" choises. In his plan he added a tail thumb support too. Steve can add the original plan. Let me investigate on this Gene's version.
Pit - 21/02/2024
Ah, good point. I did not see that. I think, looking at this, the plan we have here is a redraw by Gene - who is sadly no longer with us - and may have been changed in some details from the original drawing. Probably just a mistake. Not sure why Gene drew it that way on the plan, but yes, the wing centre section correctly is flat, as shown in the model photos and as described in the build article.
SteveWMD - 21/02/2024
Yep, added scan of the original plan drawing, with flat centre section, thanks to Pit. See also pic 004.
SteveWMD - 21/02/2024
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- Mini Catapult Glider (oz15123)
- Plan File Filesize: 150KB Filename: Mini_Catapult_Glider_oz15123.pdf
- Supplement Filesize: 1444KB Filename: Mini_Catapult_Glider_oz15123_article.pdf
- Supplement Filesize: 62KB Filename: Mini_Catapult_Glider_oz15123_original.pdf
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Notes
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Scaling
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