The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-03-02
CONSTRUCTION
OF BABY FLYER
SHOWN TODAY
Simplicity of Second Model
Makes Excellent Start
for Beginners.


the Junior Aviator articles will al
low boys and girls to play an inter
esting part in the rapid develop
ment of aviation.
The next two articles on model
building, the first appearing today,
will tell how to construct a simple
and inexpensive stick model-a
model that will rise of the ground
and soar through the air under its
own power.
Because of its simplicity it is an
excellent model for beginners. 1t
was designed by a well-knoWn model
engineer and has been named the
"Scripps- Howard Baby Flyer"
Like the glider described in the
first article, it is built of balsa
wood. But, with this model, the
builder is introduced to several new
steps in model construction.
The wings, instead of being solid
balsa like those of the glider, are of
balsa framework covered with
Japanese tissue.
The baby flyer also has wire
landing gear. tail skids and rubber
motor hooks which gives the junior
pilot his first opportunity to employ
wire fittings.
Tools, Material Needed
Few tools are required. A razor
blade, a pencil compass, pair of
long-nosed pliers and a piece of
No. 90 sandpaper are all that IS
necessary.
Here is a list of the materials re-
quired in building the complete
plane. The motor stick and pro-
peller are detailed in today's story.
One piece of balsa wood, Is "X3-16'
x12" for the motor stick or fuselage.
One piece of balsa wood, Il "X3-16"
X24" for propeller hub.
One piece of balSa wood, Lie "X2"
x18" for propeller blades.
One piece of balsa wood, 1-32"X2"
x16" for wheels.
Three pieces of balsa wood, lie"
square by 10" for wing and rudder
construction.
One piece of No. 020 music wire,
II inches long, for landing gear, tail
skid. front and rear rubber hooks.
Two washers or a glass bead for
propeller shaft.
One thrust bearing. CThis can be
purchased at any model supply store
for a few cents.
One foot of 1sx1-32 flat rubber
strand.
One piece of japanese tissue.
One two-dram bottle of tissue ce-
ment or banana oil.
One two-dram bottle of quick dry
ing cement.
Start Construction
We will begin construction by
building the motor stick, which is
made from * inch by 3-16~inch
by 12-inch balsa piece. Shape the
tail end according to the diagram
above. Then cut shallow slot in
the nose of the stick for the thrust
bearing and cement it in place. Lash
the stick nose and bearing with
thread and apply a coat Of cement
over the thread to make it more
durable.
Next. we will build the wheels for
the tiny craft. Each wheel is con-
Structed from two discs of 1872 inch
balsa wood. SO we must first lay
out four discs with a compass ac-
Cording to the dimensions in plan
above. Carve them out with a ra-
zor blade and sandpaper the edges
so that they are perfectly round.
Now cement two of the discs to-
gether with wood grain crossing TO
form a wheel. After the cement
has dried force pin or needle
through the center for axle bear
ing hole
In the trailing end of the motor
stick, place the tail skid. This is
made from the No. 020 music wire
and is about s inch long. A drop
Of cement will hold it firmly in
place. Bend the rear rubber mo-
tor hook and tc~ce the end in CEN
ter Of the motor stick 2 5-16 inches
from the tail end. Cement in place
and lash with thread again. apply
ing a coat of cement over the thread
Long-nosed pliers should be used
in bending the wire parts, and while
beginners will experience difficulty
at first in shaping them property,
practice will add to their ability.
Bending Landing Gear
Now bend the landing gear from
the music wire as illustrated in dia-
gram. Place wheels on the axles
with a small balsa washer on each
side and add drop of cement on axle
ends to hold the wheels in place.
Press the u" section of the wire
landing gear firmly against the mo-
tor stick, IL inches from the nose,
and cement in position and lash
with thread.
The next step in construction is
the propeller. which is a vital part
Of the model plane. Most model
builders find it the most difficult
part to make.
For this model we have selected
the simplest type and believe the be-
ginner will find it easy to construct.
We will start by Cutting the balsa
hub block according to the dimen-
sions in diagram. on each end of
the block cut 1872 inch diagonal
slots i inch deep. Note that these
slots are to be cut in opposite di-
rectionS: this accords the propeller
blades the proper pitch.
Building Propeller
Cut a paper template of the pro-
peller blade according to the plan
and dimensions in diagram. Out
line from the template the two
blades on lie inch balsa. Cut out
with razor blade.
Force a hole with pin or needle
in the exact center of the hub block
on the /. inch X q inch surface for
propeller shaft.
Now apply cement TO the slots in