Yard Bird (oz7207)

About this Plan

Yard Bird. Rubber sport model. High wing rubber model. 16 in wingspan. Published in MAN May 1954.

Quote: "Designed for schoolyard pleasure flying, this little rubber powered model is exceptionally easy and cheap to build, and it is a whiz at flying. Yard Bird, by Sherman Gillespie.

The Yardbird is a simple model designed for your school-yard pleasure flying. With its low cost and short construction time it will prove a breather from the big jobs. Don't let its small size fool you. This little crate is a real altitude hound!

Tests in cool air gave many flights of from 45 to 55 seconds hand-wound with top title to date a fine 1-minute 5-seconds. Warm air conditions should give some spectacular flights.

Construction is quite easy but work carefully to keep the weight of the model down. The finished ship should weigh approximately 1/2 oz, ready to fly.

Select straight grained, medium hard 1/16 in square balsa for the fuselage. Build the two fuselage sides separately. Assemble the sides over the top view striving for square construction which is essential for accurate alinement of the wings and tail surfaces.

Cut the nose block from medium soft scrap balsa and drill it to receive the removable thrust button. The button shown was turned from maple but the plastic or wooden ones available at the hobby shops will work very well. Cement the completed nose block in place and give it a coat of sanding sealer.

Form the landing gear from 1/32 in diameter wire and cement securely in place. Trim away any excess cement at the fuselage joints and sand the entire structure lightly. Give the framework a coat of clear dope to seal the wood..."

Update 27/03/2021: Added complete article, thanks to RFJ.

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