Sweepette-ette 14 (oz15714)

About this Plan

Sweepette-ette 14. Hand launch glider model. WIngspan 14 in.

Quote: "Younger bodies and arms sometimes have trouble with the 18-20 inch Hand Launched Gliders. This 14 incher should be just the thing and it's a proven contest winner too. Sweepette-ette 14, by Al Lidberg.

Mike and Paul are junior modelers who wanted to fly Hand Launched Gliders (HLG). Because of the boys size and weight (5' tall, 80-95 lb), full sized gliders are not very practical. Sure, the big 18 to 20 in gliders fly pretty well, but a 10 or 12 year old average sized boy just can't throw them. We had experimented with some kit models but these seemed more closely related to log gliders than serious flying models.

Mike kept going hack to an old 20 inch Sweepette and trying to throw it, but he couldn't get it up high enough. However, we could see some possi-bilities there, so I scaled the model down to about 14 in span and simplified the construc-tion by using a flat stabilizer. The glider was an immediate success for the boys as they can now throw to surprizing altitudes and make very respectable flights.

Meeting the AMA rules for outdoor HLG because it is slightly larger than the 30 sq inch minimum, Mike and Paul have flown the design in two con-tests, bringing home the 1st and 3rd trophies. They are convinced, you will be too.

Building a hand launched glider is not a big chore but there are certain things that should be done to make a good flying model. Let's start with the wing as it can really make the difference between a 'floater' and a 'stone'. This glider uses a simple airfoil (the shape of the wing section - what you'd see if you sawed the wing in half alongside the body) which is flat from the trailing edge up to 2/3 of the width of the wing and gently curved from there to the leading edge.

Selecting wood for this project is easy, just pick some 1/8 x 3 x 36 balsa that is not too heavy. Heavy wood is harder and usually darker in color. Carving and sanding a heavy piece of wing wood is a lot of work and won't make a good HLG wing. Lighter colored wood, indicating lighter weight, will work a lot better. While you are looking at wood, get some 1/32 or 1/20 x 2 x 36 for the fin and stabilizer, although these can also be made from scraps. For the fuselage or body, get some 1/8 x 5/8 spruce. The finger rest can be made from scraps of wing wood. Also get some Titebond or similar glue and a small stick of modeling clay. A 1/4 lb stick of clay will provide balance weight for many gliders.

We have found that the use of cardboard templates helps to speed up construction. When a replacement model is needed, or when you need to build 2 or 3 models for a contest, the templates are really handy. The easiest way to make the templates is to take the magazine to a drugstore or post office, and for 10 or so, photocopy the plan page. Then, cut out the shapes from the copy and rubber cement or paste them to cardboard. The body template should be one piece. Line up the front and rear parts so that the lower edge makes a straight line. You will also find it easier to use the wing template if it is one piece as shown in the photos..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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