For the Tenderfoot:
Saucerer Article & Plans
January 1970 American Aircraft Modeler

January 1970 American Aircraft Modeler Table of Contents These pages from vintage modeling magazines like Flying Aces, Air Trails, American Modeler, American Aircraft Modeler, Young Men, Flying Models, Model Airplane News, R/C Modeler, captured the era. All copyrights acknowledged.

Website visitor Kenneth E. wrote to say that he is working to build a complete collection of the Tenderfoot models that were published in American Aircraft Modeler magazine. The Tenderfoot series was an attempt to provide motivation to young newcomers to the hobby. They were a mix of freeflight rubber, gliders, control line designs that built simply and cheaply. Power could be muscle (hand launch), CO₂, rubber band (wind-up or catapult launch), and and internal combustion engine 1/4A (.010 and .020) & 1/2A (.049 and .051) using glow fuel or diesel fuel. Kenneth requested reprints of the following three models: The Saucerer, a unique control line model by Ray Malmström (January 1970), the Bonanza and Mustang, free flight hand-launched glider by David Thornburg (January 1971), and the Clodhopper free flight rubber powered model by Paul Denson (February 1973).

SAUCERERA simple-to-build and fly model that IS different.

By Ray Malstrom

Construction: Cement together 1/4" balsa sheet cut to the dimensions in Fig. 1. Draw a center line across the sheets, and with a pair of compasses draw an 11" diameter circle. From the plan, trace and transfer to the circle the angled cutout for the motor mount, the elevator line and the small square that will accommodate the bell crank mount D. Using a fretsaw, cut out the disc (Fig. 2). Bevel the edges with fine sandpaper. Cut the elevator apart and rejoin using nylon or silk hinges. Cut a small slot in the elevator where shown for the control horn. Cut the body from 1/4" sheet. Note that it is tapered (use sandpaper on a block for this) towards the rear. The rear of the fin is cut away and re-cemented back at an angle (Fig. 3).

Now cement body piece along top center-line of disc. Cut hose blocks A, Band C from block balsa. Shape with knife and sandpaper and cement in position. Gouge out recesses for bolt heads (Fig. 4). Cut engine mount from 1/4" plywood, and drill holes to suit the engine you intend to use. Insert mounting bolts from the back, and solder pieces of wire across the heads to prevent them from turning (Fig. 5). Firmly cement the engine mount into the cutout on the disc and against the face of blocks A, Band C. Make a really firm job of this, and see the engine mount points the correct amount to the right.

Cut a bellcrank from 1/16" ply (or use a metal or plastic commercial bellcrank of similar size), and bellcrank mount D from 1/4" ply. Drill D to accept to bolt, and make sure it is a tight fit. This is important. Cut control rod, and leadout wires over-length at this stage and assemble to bellcrank, bending as shown (Fig. 6). Pass the bolt through the central hole in the bell crank, slip on a washer or two (Fig. 7), and screw firmly into part D. The bellcrank mount (complete with bellcrank and wires) is firmly cemented into the square recess already cut in the disc (Fig. 8). Make the line guide, drill holes, and slip it onto the leadout wires and cement to the undersurface of the disc in the position shown. Do not yet form the hooks on the leadout wires.

Cement the 1/16 ply horn into the elevator slot firmly. Use plenty of cement. Connect rod by bending the end and slipping through the hole in the control horn and locking with a soldered washer (Fig. 9). Be sure the bellcrank is in the position shown on the plan and the elevator is neutral (flat) when you connect up. Now cut off the excess from the leadout wires and bend the hooks. The hooks should be level (as shown on the plan) when the elevator is in the neutral (flat) position. Take care over this connecting up, as accurately lined-up controls make for really sweet and easy flying. Add a small weight to the starboard edge of the disc as shown. Hold in place with several layers of tissue doped on. Finally dope and finish your Saucerer as detailed on the plan, and bolt the engine in position.

Flying: Before that eagerly anticipated first flight, balance your flying saucer carefully. Tie a length of thread to a pin, and push the pin into the body at the balance point shown on the plan. Your model must balance level. Slight nose-heaviness does not matter, but tail heaviness must be avoided. It is unlikely that you will need any weight at the rear, but with varying engine weights you will most likely need a little additional weight in the nose. This can be achieved in two ways: Simply by adding some sheet lead (only a little will be needed) under the engine mount and block C, or by cutting a false firewall from plywood (around 1/4" to 1/2" thick) and positioning it between the engine and its mount. This way you move the engine further forward and achieve correct balance without the necessity of adding extra weight. Fig. 8 explains this simple and very neat method of balancing. Take your choice, but either way, do make sure your Saucerer balances on the balance point. You'll be glad when you take off on that test-flight!

Wing-overs and loops are possible with Saucerer after you are acquainted, so good luck and happy circulating. And choose soft grass to fly over.

MATERIALS LIST

Three 1/4 x 3 x 36 balsa, one 1/4 x 3 x 20, one 1 x 6 x 1, one 2 x 2-1/4 X 3/4, one 1/4 x 2 x 2 plywood, one 1/16 x 2-1/2 x 1-1/2, one 1/32 x 2-1/2 x 1/2, one 9" length 1/16 music wire, one 14" length 1/32 music wire.

Saucerer Plans <click for larger version>

Posted July 29, 2024
(updated from original post on 6/26/2011)