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PRACTICAL
APPLICATIONS
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The reading and model building
activities contained in Build and Fly the Wright Flyers
present the opportunity for teachers and students to work with
projects that fall within several of the National Science and
Mathematics Standards. The activities touch on the nature and
history of science. They demonstrate that the Wright Brothers
followed scientific inquiry and kept records of their
findings. Building and flying the model gliders and flyers
include measurement, working in scale, form and function,
motion and forces, abilities of technology, and awareness of
variables. Tuning and flying the gliders and flyers require
attention to the principles of flight, as well as weight and
balance. The builder will learn to change the flight
characteristics of their gliders. |
| Approximate Metric Conversion
Table for Construction of TA Aircraft |
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2 1/4" = 5.8 cm |
7/8" = 2.3 cm |
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2" = 5.1
cm |
3/4" = 1.9 cm |
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1 3/4" = 4.5 cm |
5/8" = 1.6 cm |
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1 5/8" = 4.2 cm |
1/2" = 1.3 cm |
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1 1/2" = 3.9 cm |
3/8" = 1 cm |
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1 3/8" = 3.5 cm |
1/4" = 7 mm |
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1 1/4" = 3.2 cm |
3/16" = 5 mm |
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1 1/8" = 2.9 cm |
1/8" = 4 mm |
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1" = 2.6
cm |
1/16" = 2 mm |
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The metric conversion table above is adapted for the
purpose of building TA airplanes! It may not reflect exact measures,
instead it rounds measures for the express purpose of maintaining
the balance and structures of TA aircraft. It is included only for
the use of those who prefer to use metric measure.
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The drawings on this page may be copied or
scanned and printed with the author of Build And Fly The First
Flyers and Booger Red's Books Inc. permission for the express and
sole purpose of building TA aircraft. Reproduction for any form of
commercial gain is strictly prohibited.
Wright 1900 Glider
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Wright 1901
Glider
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THE TOOTHPICK AIRFORCE is
abbreviated to TA throughout this publication.
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Parts list for Wright
1900 glider.
- A and B are wings.
- C is the elevator.
- D1-4 are wing struts.
- E is the elevator strut.
One full
length (2-1/4") flat toothpick for the airframe. |
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The parts above are shown
as they should appear on your work surface. The wing struts
and elevator strut have been folded on both ends to form
"feet." The "foot" provides the surface you will need to glue
the wings and elevator in position.
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Assembly Instructions
- Copy, scan and print, or trace the drawing on the previous
page on 24 lb paper of any color.
- Bend and crease the drawing at the fold line (see supplies
photo figure
4).
- Cut the glider parts out starting at the fold line. Always
cut on the solid lines, fold on the dotted lines.
- Lay the wings and elevator flat on your work surface, with the
printed side up.
- Bend the struts on the dotted lines to
form "feet" on each end of the strut. Make the bend on the end
away from the original fold line first.
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The top wing should
still be flat on your work surface, print side up. Once the
struts are in place and dry, straighten them up to a 90
degree angle. Then line the wings up to glue them in
position. |
- Cut the struts apart. You will now have 4 identical struts
with which to mount the upper wing on the lower.
- Bend the single elevator strut to form "feet" on both ends.
(Learning to make "feet" is an important skill in
THE TOOTHPICK AIRFORCE! The foot is formed by bending
approximately one-sixteenth inch of the paper part into an
L shape. The "foot" on the bottom of the L
makes a flat surface large enough for the glue to hold securely.
This is important in fastening tail rudders, landing gear, or
biplane wing and elevator struts in place.)
- Smear a small amount of Elmer's (or similar paste) on each
strut foot. Warning! Excessive amounts of paste can cause warping
of your wing surface. Mount them one at a time on the upper wing,
beginning 1/4" from the centerline. Place the outside struts 3/8"
from the wing tip, as shown in the photo.
- Examine your flat toothpick. You will find a slight bevel on
both the wide and the narrow ends of one side. Smear a small
amount of glue on the small or narrow end of the toothpick on the
non-beveled side. Press the toothpick into position, overlapping
the leading edge of the lower wing by 5/8".
A 7/8" block from the
large end of a toothpick for weight glued to the top of your
toothpick airframe should provide balance. Place it as far
forward as possible. Prepare your glider to fly using the
"tuning" instructions on the next page. |
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- Straighten the wing struts to a 90 degree angle from the wing
surface. Adjust the feet on the opposite end of the struts so that
the surface of the foot will contact the bottom wing when it is
lowered into position. Smear each of the four struts with a small
amount of glue, and carefully align the bottom wing with the top,
gently pressing it into place.
- Glue the elevator strut 5/8" from the front of the airframe
toothpick.
- Glue the elevator to the strut foot, so that the front of the
elevator is 1/8 inch from the front of the toothpick fuselage.
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