Sport Rubber Powered Planes

Strictly for fun

Dick Baxter XE-5

This class of model airplane is the backbone of my entire web site. There is no bigger bang for your dollar and time invested than simple, sport class rubber powered free flight airplanes. "Sport" simply means that the planes are not specialized for endurance or other competition. Some of them may resemble real aircraft, but the construction is simplified and it should be easy to get them to fly well.

The plane in the picture above took me a week or so of evenings to build, and it is shown being launched by my middle son who was 6 when the picture was taken. That particular design flies great in spite of the mistakes that a novice builder is likely to make. I'll expand on how you can build one later.

Let's assume for a moment that you have found yourself on this page because you've seen people flying model airplanes at a field or indoor site and you would like see if it's as fun as it looks. Maybe what you saw were radio control planes, but now you're suffering from the sticker shock at what it will cost you to get involved. The good news is that you can fully enjoy aeromodeling with free flight planes. If you do choose to expand your horizons at some point and fly radio control planes then you will find that having spent time with free flight has made you a much better builder, and probably a better pilot. I'm here to tell you that there are many people who have opted not to bother with the expense and complexity of radio control, and they are among the best modelers I know.

So, what can you start with that will get you in the air quickly? Here are some things to consider:

• Don't start a project that looks even remotely complicated. You will find too many discouraging road blocks and may never finish it. If you do finish it, then you may find it difficult to get it to fly well.

• Do buy or build something very simple to begin with. The boost you get from watching your own creation fly will serve as the catalyst for future success. You can continue to fly your first plane while you are waiting for the glue to dry on your next project.

You should begin with something that has a simple stick for the fuselage (the main body). The wings and tail can be made of simple sheet balsa, or you could try your hand at "stick" building the flying surfaces. What ever propeller you start with will probably be alright for now, but the rubber strip (rarely is it actually a rubber band) is almost certainly going to be junk. Don't underestimate the importance of the rubber motor. It's thickness, length, material type and the way you prepare it are all critical elements in success.

I highly recommend two different beginner aircraft as a starting point. Either one will set you back less than $5:

• The AMA Racer. You can find these in most hobby stores that have any kind of airplane stuff. Instead of being in a box, you'll find them in a plastic bag with the materials hiding inside a rolled up plan sheet. The unique thing about the Racer is that the plan sheet is the covering. You glue the sticks to the sheet and cut out around the outside. Follow the instructions carefully and it will definitely fly. The ones I've seen lately are different from the one in the picture above in that the airplane is shorter in length, having extended the heavy motor stick and omitted the skinny aft fuselage. For future reference, you can hot rod an AMA Racer for very impressive performance.

• The Starved Pussycat. A Dick Baxter design now kitted through Peck Polymers, you may be able to find it in better hobby shops (but not likely). It would be worth your time to mail order one, especially if you are coming up empty in your search for an AMA Racer. Like the Racer, it has a stick fuselage and simple framework wings and tail surfaces. It is easy to build, adjust and repair. Check my Links page for a way to get hold of Peck Polymers.

Other planes that will work:

• Peck ROG (Rise Off Ground, which means it can take off using it's wheels). A very small, simple plane capable of stunning flights. The only reason it's not in the list above is because it is more fragile.

• Sig Flip, which is actually a hand launched glider (HLG). Six pieces of wood and a nose weight. If you are a knuckle dragging baseball pitcher then "you don't need no stinking propeller" to commit aviation.

• The Cloud Tramp. A very simple stick fuselage with sheet wings and tail. You can build it from plans available free on Garry Hunter's Plan Page. You may have to buy and brutalize one of those dime store "Skeeter" planes to get a prop, but the performance will be much better. Build one and you will own an instant antique and you also have the option of flying it in a world wide"mass launch".

• Dick Baxter's Big Pussycat. An extension of the Starved Pussycat mentioned above, the Big PC has a built up fuselage that is covered. It is not difficult but it will be more work. The good news is that it is also based on a free plan, available on Thayer Syme's web page.

So how about that biplane pictured in several places in these web pages? Well it's another Dick Baxter design, called the XE-5. With Dick's permission I was able to supply a very small number of people with a copy of his early plans. You can now get your own set by going to Thayer Syme's web page