Stringless Wonder (oz15651)

About this Plan

Stringless Wonder (Ben Franlkin's Revenge). Free flight rubber sport model (or free flying kite).

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 11/11/2024: Added article, thanks to theshadow.

Quote: "HERE'S A LOW-COST project which can be completed in a few hours and which is guaranteed to attract attention! Stringless Wonder is the result of a desire to enter something out-of-the-ordinary in a local kite contest. I've always enjoyed flying kites but, like Charlie Brown of 'Peanuts' fame, I generally ended up with tangled strings. Solution? Eliminate the string!

The prototype of Stringless Wonder was accepted as a legitimate entry at the kite contest by the judges, who finally decided that my entry simply 'made its own wind!' To see just how far rules could be pushed, I also entered my scale towline glider, and it was also welcomed, which goes to show that there are still unexplored ways to have fun with this hobby. Kites have traditionally been colorful, and Stringless Wonder is no exception. The original is red, white, and blue, but why not let your imagination go wild and really be creative?

Construction: The plan is full-size and should be covered with plastic wrap or waxed paper. Select several straight medium-hard 1/16 square balsa strips, and cut them to the length shown. Cutting the long pieces first will minimize waste. Take time to achieve good fits for maximum strength as well as neat appearance. The outer wing panels and stabilizer are not glued to the wing center section until after they are covered.

After the frames have dried thoroughly, cover them on the top side only (the fin is covered on just one side) with lightweight tissue. It may be applied with clear dope or thinned-out white glue. To prevent warping, pin or weight the parts to the building board for an hour or two, while the tissue adhesive dries. Do not water shrink or dope the covering, as it would surely distort.

Motor Stick: Select a straight, very hard 1/4 x 1/8 balsa strip and cut it to the length shown. A scrap of 1/8 balsa is glued to the underside of the motor stick to shim it to the size required for a North Pacific propeller bearing assembly. This is the type of plastic thrust bearing which is furnished with Delta Dart kits (AMA Cub), North Pacific Skeeters, and Sleek Streek ready-to-fly models. The rear rubber motor hook is bent to shape from a thin-wire paper clip and bound to the rear of the motor stick with thread and glue. Don't get carried away with the amount of thread, or the resulting lump will prevent the wing from seating properly. Only a few turns of thread are needed.

Assembly: The perspective drawing shows the relationship of the various parts. First, place the wing center section flat on the building board and weight or pin it in place. Next, glue on the outer wing panels, adding suitable blocks under each tip for 1-1/4 in dihedral per side. Allow plenty of time for drying. Turn the assembly over and add a little extra glue in the V slots at the dihedral joints. Use discretion, as an excess of glue may soften the joints, and the dihedral will be lost.

Next, glue on the motor stick in its correct location. Add the vertical fin, centering it carefully. Then the stabilizer may be installed. It is glued to the underside of the fin, creating an incidence angle. The small paper rudder and elevator (typing paper) are glued in place next..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction