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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.
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| 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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