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McALLISTER Airacomet Building Instructions

Catapult glider
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McALLISTER MODELS & DESIGN
"Airacomet" Catapult Glider
Catapult launched gliders are great fun!
This simple profile scale glider can be hand thrown to fly in your backyard or go to a larger space
and use the included catapult to launch this jet high and fast! Careful adjustments are the way to
get the best out of a catapult glider. That will teach you trimming skills, which is a vital part of the
fun and enjoyment of flying model aircraft.
Follow the separate instructions for how to assemble the included catapult.
If you have any questions, please contact us at
mcallistermodels@gmail.com

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Summary of Contents for McALLISTER Airacomet

  • Page 1 McALLISTER MODELS & DESIGN ”Airacomet” Catapult Glider Catapult launched gliders are great fun! This simple profile scale glider can be hand thrown to fly in your backyard or go to a larger space and use the included catapult to launch this jet high and fast! Careful adjustments are the way to get the best out of a catapult glider.

  • Page 2: Building Instructions

    Building Instructions BEFORE YOU BEGIN This model glider can be built using superglue, a waterproof wood glue like Titebond II, or balsa cement. Some parts will require sanding to fit. A useful tool is a two-sided nail file, or you can glue medium and fine sandpaper to each side of a straight stick.
  • Page 3 CONSTRUCTION Glue the two wing leading edge fillets to the flat area on the front of each wing half. Next, sand the wings to an aerofoil shape. Take your sanding stick and sand the top front edge of the wing in a curve down to the bottom edge. Start this about 1/2"...
  • Page 4 Below is a typical wing tip shape viewed from the end. Aim for this sort of shape. Repeat the process for the other wing. Make sure that you are making both a RIGHT wing and a LEFT wing panel. Join the two wing panels. First the center of each wing needs to be angled. Prop the wing tip up 7/8” (22mm) with the center of the wing just over the edge of a board.
  • Page 5 Look from the front of the fuselage; the wings should be positioned so that they are at the same angle on each side of the fuselage. To check this, you can set the fuselage and wing inverted on a flat surface. Use a right angle to set the fuselage vertical.
  • Page 6 Take the two engine nacelles and sand toward the rear edges so that they taper to about 1/16” (1.5mm) thick. Be sure to make both a left hand and a right hand nacelle. Round off all of the outside edges. Slide each engine nacelle up to the bottom of the wing against the fuselage to check the fit.
  • Page 7 Slot the tail fin into the tailplane. The tab will help with the alignment. Set the fin at the edge of a board and use a right angle to get the fin at 90 degrees to the tailplane. Glue in place with superglue.
  • Page 8 Position the tailplane and fin on the rear of the fuselage. The top edge of the tailplane will align with the top edge of the fuselage and the rear of the fin will fit to the rear edge of the fuselage. When you are satisfied with the fit, glue the assembly onto the fuselage.
  • Page 9 Glue the plywood catapult peg into the slot in the fuselage. FINISHING Using fine sandpaper, smooth all of the surfaces. You can fly the model as it is without further finishing but avoid wet conditions. One thin coat of Zinsser Shellac will harden the balsa wood and provide a degree of water resistance.
  • Page 10 Spray the back of one of the paper pieces with Elmers Spray Adhesive or use a glue stick. (Liquid glues may make the ink run). Glue one side in place and press it down firmly. Repeat for the other side making sure that they align with each other.

  • Page 11: Test Flights

    Test Flights The glider will need some nose weight to balance properly in flight. A good starting point is to Scotch tape a penny to the nose. The initial balance point is 1-3/8” (35mm) back from the leading edge of the wing where it meets the fuselage.
  • Page 12 For throw launching you can try tilting the model to the right (if you are right handed) and give it a hard throw pointing upward at about 20 degrees. Keep adjusting your throw and nose weight until you get some nice glides. Catapult Flights Warning: Never point a catapult model at, or near, anyone when launching.