Squirrel – Rivals AMA Cub

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Foam Squirrel flying high! Photo courtesy of Gary Hinze.

I designed the Squirrel back in November 2004 (ending during the holiday season). I wanted to make model aviation more accessible through more elegant and efficient building practices.

Squirrel is now built in most countries around the world. There are designs based on it and designs that borrow it’s unique design choices.

The Squirrel is an excellent flyer so write your name on it and put on your running shoes!

Here is a summary of the beginner models that came before the Squirrel.

AMA Cub (AKA Delta Dart)

AMA Cub built by Darcy and neighboring children.

Designed in 1967 by Frank Ehling, the AMA Cub (Academy of Model Aeronautics) had become the most popular beginner model.  A great starting point for building one is endlessLift or Bill Kuhl’s Dart Page.

The AMA Cub takes 3-5 hours to put together. They fly well in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Builders will need a cork board, wax paper, white glue, hobby knife, sand paper and pins. The kit calls for a pin to hang the rear of the rubber motor. This doesn’t work well so if a proper wire hangar is to be made, they will need safety goggles, music wire, pliers and wire cutters.

There is also an AMA Racer which is a slightly more advanced version of the AMA Cub.

MAAC Dart

This is the Canadian version of Frank Ehlings model. They are sold by Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC).

BMFA Dart

The BMFA one is available at British Model Flying Association.

Denny Dart

A great design by Neil Dennis.
This plane is documented at endlessLift Denny Dart and also Building Model Airplanes From Plans and Materials by Bill Kuhl

This one takes a couple of hours to build but flies even better than the AMA Cub.

Canarsie Canarie

Canarie planes built by children with Darcy and Anabel.

Designed by Don Ross, it is built from solid balsa sheet. Flies well with light balsa (or contest balsa). It is featured in Don Ross’s book “Rubber Powered Model Airplanes”. Plans are also available from Don Ross.

Don has come up with some innovative techniques for building. On this model the gull wing system is very convenient!

The Canarie goes together very fast but requires contest grade balsa to fly really well. In workshop environments, kids tend to break the gull wings during construction so premaking the wings is a good idea for children. The wire rubber hangar at the back is also good to premake since wire cutting bending and fastening is tricky and is an eye risk.

Canarsie Courier

Also designed by Don Ross. It’s an excellent outdoor design. Also from solid balsa sheet. Everyone should build a Courier!

Again, there are some amazing and innovative construction techniques. He has come up with an under cambered wing with a minimum of parts and steps.

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