Glider Template

This model was inspired by Whitewings gliders. With its straight lines, this design is easy to trace and cut, and economical to make using file folders.

Use a heavy cardstock or a file folder.

Align the template with the grain of the paper, and secure it with tape so it doesn’t slide. Use a sharp, thin-point pencil to trace.  Accuracy matters.

Reposition the template and trace the fuselage pieces 1, 2, and 3 again to make the 5, 6, and 7 pieces.

Carefully cut inside the pencil line. You don’t want the lines to remain on your parts.  Accuracy matters. Do not cut the dotted lines. The dotted lines indicates where you will bend the parts.

Glue the wing doubler to the underside of the wing. I like to use mucilage glue or Uhu All-Purpose Twist & Glue.  Put the pieces between two pieces of wax paper on a flat surface and lay a few heavy books on top.

Glue the fuselage pieces together. They stack in numerical order. DO NOT get glue on the tabs.  I start with piece 4 and put pieces 3 and 5 on each side, let dry for a few minutes, and then glue pieces 2 and 6 on top of them.  Accuracy really, really matters here.  Put this in wax paper as you did with the wing and let it dry with a few heavy books on top. This will give you a stiff, straight fuselage.

Once dry, glue on fuselage pieces 1 and 7.  Next, bend the Nose piece in the middle and glue it in place around the front of the fuselage.

After the wing is dry, bend it in the middle. Use the wing angle gauge to get the proper angle.  I use a ruler to get a sharp bend.  Repeat this process for the Top of Wing piece.

After fuselage is dry, bend tabs and glue on horizontal stabilizer, wing, and top of wing piece.   Take your time and do it one piece at a time.

Allow to dry overnight.

Lightly bend an airfoil shape into the wing and ensure everything is straight and even.

Use a rubber band in the notch to launch.

How does it fly?  That depends on your ability to build and trim the model.   Observe and tweak the wings and tail surfaces. It doesn’t take much. I have seen this model catch a thermal and fly out of sight.