All posts by Darcy

Squirrel inspires other model airplane designs

Experimental, Gallery, Testimonial

 

Subject: new Squirrel derivative…

Darcy, inspired both by your Squirrel and the Dandrieux butterfly (you must be familiar…see photo “copter”) I have come up with a ridiculously simple parlor mite that, after some refining, really does fly and is about as easy to build as the Squirrel, including the innovative glue-and-fold prop I came up with. I thought you might like to see this airplane but I also wanted to ask about selling a kit of it….I thought it would be polite to get your thoughts & make sure you were OK with me selling something like this, considering how closely it resembles the Squirrel. I took a lot of your ideas….

* leading edge only wing and stab

* vertical wing tips

* same basic configuration (tractor, rubber powered monoplane w/single fin) There are some differences….

* It’s tiny! 5″ span, weighs about 1/2 gram

* paper rudder

* unique paper prop that I’m real proud of 🙂

* more typical alu bearing and wire hook

* even ctr wing is leading edge only

* with 1/32 sq wood, not good for kids 🙂

So…anyways…let me know what you think. The Dandrieux butterfly copters will definitely be out there as kits too. In all cases the # of kits I make will be ultra-limited…just haven’t the time…basically will make as many as and when I feel like. They will sell for $3 each but you’ll get a couple gratis, again, for your ideas.

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Ondrej “Andy” Mitas

art, music, airplanes

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High Performance Squirrel Model Airplane

Experimental, Gallery

Andy sent me this note on his Squirrel made from condenser paper and other more high performance materials.

Darcy, at last I got around to building the Squirrel. I did some things differently so it took me a little longer; still amazing airplane for the time investment.

I was getting ready to draw a plan, when I realized that a single-letter size sheet wouldn’t be enough, as the wingspan is 12 inches. How inconvenient… you’re right… very little would be gained from having a plan. Glad to see the video on your site. I hope lots of the Small flying Arts guys watch it & build squirrels.

OK, here’s what I did differently – I wanted a Squirrel for the living room. I used the Ikara 6″ (“butterfly”) prop, hanger, and hook. I cut the top off the prop hanger so I could glue it at a steep angle for lots of sidethrust. I used 1/16 sq for all flying surfaces. 3/32 x 3/16, very hard, for the fuselage stick, tapered to 0 over the last 2 inches. I used vegi-bag plastic instead of tissue for covering, it’s lighter (cannot be cut w/scissors). No wing seat on the fuselage, instead the wing rides on 3″ x 1/16 sq piece, slightly off center against torque, taped to the motorstick so wing position can still be adjusted. Otherwise it’s just your Squirrel.

Weight is 2.5 grams.

enjoy,
Ondrej “Andy” Mitas
art, music, airplanes

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Free Flight Mailing List (FFML) sighting

Sighting, Testimonial

ffml@smartgroups.com FREE FLIGHT mailing list

Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 2:02 AM
Subject: [ffml] OOS Squirrel
Hi List,

Our son visited us in Wiesbaden last spring. I had no models ready for fun so we went on the Internet, downloaded the SQUIRREL (Darcy White design), and with a slight modification, built and took it up to the brow of the hill, a big walkers and pet exercise area. There is a Roman watch tower there so we think it is the highest point in Wiesbaden.

We cranked in a few turns and while we were trimming and testing with short flights, we noticed a gentleman reading the newspaper. He was watching over his glasses. We sent up a few mid-power flights and decided too crank in some turns. We got it up to 80-90 percent and gave it a toss.

It was a sunny, cool day with the slightest breeze from the SSE. The model spiraled almost straight up and then began a more gentle circle to the left as the power came off. After a few circles we realized it was in rising air and we watched it get smaller and smaller as it tracked North. Just before it specked out as it flew over the city, the gentleman reading the paper put it down and asked in perfect English, ‘is your name on the airplane?’ I said,’ yes- also my address and telephone number.’ He said something like this. If that comes down in town and causes a car accident, they’ll know who to call for the suit! We laughed but later I wondered if he was kidding or was voicing a real concern. Regardless, the telephone never rang about the model and Hung is the only one who knows where it is.

The modification I made to the power system was to slant the toothpick that holds the rubber for the rear hook. I re-read the instructions later and found the reason the toothpick is pointed straight down is so when turns are depleted the rubber slips off which changes the CG and brings the model back down- a built in DT! Bill Kuhl has Squirrel video on his website.

Rolf

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