A-4 Skyhawk (oz7414)

About this Plan

A-4 Skyhawk. Catapult glider model.

Quote "Catapult an A-4 'Skyhawk' by John Blankenship.

Triple your height with this fast building catapult ship. All you need is a ballfield! This catapult launched glider has good stability, and makes long, fast flights when properly trimmed and launched.

Building is straight-forward. Use good stiff flat sheet. Paint and markings are more easily applied before assembly. Trace the 'stars and bars' insignia on white paper, color with fine point marking pens, and glue to wing and fuselage. Markings can be applied with black ink. Glue the stabilizer mount to the fuselage, let it dry, and then mount the horizontal and vertical stabilizers and wing. Align carefully. Proper launching method is to point the nose upward about 30° to 40° above the horizon with the wing almost vertical. Use plenty of rubber; this model needs a fast launch. Add small bits of clay to the left wing tip until a good transition from a tight right climbing turn to a fast left glid-ing turn is obtained. Left handers may prefer to reverse the flight pattern.

Above: Haul back and let loose. Mark Hipshire displaying how you get one up in a hurry. It takes just a simple wire hook or notch in fuselage to put it up to a great height. Center: Planform is a simple matter, gets you airborne, practice for adjusting. Below: The essentials are few. Build up an extra for a dogfight."

Hi Mary/Steve - Here is John Blankenship's A-4 Skyhawk catapult glider, from Flying Models magazine issue 12-72.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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