Wright Flyer

[jib]

My son is working on a major school project on the Wright Brothers. Being a pilot, he would like to build/buy a model to add to his presentation, especially if it were something we could fly later on. Unfortunately, our web searches have been less than productive. The only "Flyer" we found was an electric that gave about 2 minutes of shaky flight time.

Does anyone have any information on a decent flying, but authentic looking, Wright Flyer plane?

Thanks in advance,

Jack

[eflightray]

I found this -1903 Wright Type A Flyer (http://www.darehobby.com/airplanes/airplane-electric-04.htm) there is also the 1909 Wright Military Flyer there.

Great Planes used to do a model of the Flyer, if you try a search on 'Great Planes Wright Flyer' you may strike lucky with one for sale.

[dlazarus6660]

Hello,


Squadron Kites has a Wright Flyer. Its inexpensive and it will fly!
http://www.dumasestore.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=50_64

Daniel

[jib]

eflightray - BINGO - my searches did not find this one, but I think it's a winner. Although I'm not sure I want to spend to this level, I'll review it with my son this evening.

Daniel - I had not considered this one previously, as it's a kite, it looks, to my untrained eye, to be pretty scale, both is design, and in fitting into my wallet requiriements. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

I appreciate the help,

jack

[jcpatrick]

Jib - The Squadron Kites instructions state:

"... CAN EASILY BE TRIMMED TO FLY AS A FREE FLIGHT GLIDER AT ALMOST PERFECT SCALE SPEED."
I will add that the kit is a kit, it is not 'ARF'. A box of instructions, balsa and spruce sticks, and tissue paper. They recommend 3-10 mph winds for kiting, and state 4 mph speed of the glider for free flight.

[fhhuber506771]

With modern RC equip... just about anything that can be flown Free Flight can be flown with radio control.

RXs down to 2 grams and servos down to 3.3 grams are now easy to find. Castle Creations Pixie (if using brushed) or Thunderbird (for brushless) ESCs are very light for the power they can handle. (Pixie 7P is lighter than GWS's 2 amp ESC and performs much better)

[jcpatrick]

With modern RC equip... just about anything that can be flown Free Flight can be flown with radio control....

Anything can be converted to RC, but whether it is worth the time and trouble is another matter. Starting with the Squadron Kites kit I quoted from, then adding two servos, a receiver, esc, 2 motors, 2 propellers, and a battery pack. That's not including working out how to convert the free-flight into RC! .... all assuming you already have a transmitter.

From my view, the two are a wash (about equal) in difficulty versus price. The Squadron kit is 54" span versus the Dare kit at 41", but the Dare kit is already designed for RC and expected to fly while the Squadron kit will be harder to convert.