“That’s the best simplistic design I’ve ever seen. The only way it could get simpler would be to make a flying wing which would’nt be as easy to fly. It looks like success is guaranteed with your design. Your trick with the tiplets is a great anti-dihedral solution. This is the same principal the FACers utilize to get our biplanes to fly with NO dihedral. We take celluloid and mount it against the vertical interplane struts. Works just like having dihedral! KUDOS!…” — Duker
Duke Horn, Dallas, Texas
AMA Member since 1954
Flying Aces Club
Here’s an awesome picture of a Squirrel from Adam from Montreal, Quebec.
Here are his comments:
The wind came to Montreal. It was very windy on tuesday. I finaly tried my squirrel yesterday and it was awesome. There was still a bit of wind so I didn’t twist the rubber band too much. I could enjoy a couple of nice flights. I was very impressed of the smoothness of the flights. Here is an inflight photo. Has you can see I added some decorations to the plane.
We made the Squirrels and had great fun flying them!
Of course, one got stuck in a tree and we managed to get a broom handle
and broom end stuck in the tree as well. After getting a ladder from home,
we were able to get the plane, with cheers from the 20 or so onlookers who
had gathered
Squirrels = Good Fun
Thanks so much for making them available along with the detailed videos.
I’d like to point out the inherent stability of Darcy Whyte’s (Canada) popular SQUIRREL design. It has NO DIHEDRAL, no pylon, but has vertical UPRIGHT wing tip plates. In analysis when the wing banks an impending lateral SIDESLIP is instantly countered by a roll moment from the UPRIGHT TIP PLATES. Therefore an impending spiral is halted and the wing is brought back to horizontal. This is STABILITY.
The proof might be to try a wing with an UPSIDE DOWN wing tip plates. I fear this will increase the spiral tendency and a CRASH. I’d rather not try it. –Ding
My friend Eduardo pointed found this Squirrel sighting on the Internet. The Squirrel model helped Rafael Torquato of Brazil win an aviation championship. edicao. I don’t read Portugese but it looks like they found the Squirrel on the Internet. It seems they refer to it as “Aeromodelo de Vôo Livre (AVL)”. Did I understand that correctly?
Here is the body of the article:
Rafael Pichek
Rafael Torquato da Rocha (Orientador)
Colégio Estadual Professor Júlio Szymanski e Clube De Ciências Augusto Ruschi – CCAR
Araucária – PR
“Gostaria de ganhar um prêmio”, exclama Rafael. Porém, esse não é só o pensamento de Rafael, mas da maioria dos jovens expositores. É a segunda vez que ele participa e já foi premiado no ano passado. Rafael trás no seu Diário de Bordo passo a passo do projeto. Equipe JJ
Rafael em seu estande na FEBRACE 2008. Foto: Daniela Rigotto
O aeromodelismo evoluiu muito. Primeiro foram os modelos movidos a elástico, em que os praticantes tinham que jogar os aviões e sair correndo atrás deles. Muito tempo depois, vieram os aviões já motorizados que eram controlados por cabo. O avião possuía um motor que não tinha como acelerar, ficava todo acelerado até o combustível acabar e eram necessários dois praticantes: um que ficava no centro de um círculo segurando a ponta do cabo e um outro que soltava o avião. Logo depois, surgiu o rádio controle e, no mundo, foi destinado uma freqüência exclusiva para os aeromodelos: 72 MHZ. Atualmente o mundo vive a febre do aeromodelismo elétrico que, por não fazer uso de combustível, é mais prático e capaz de executar as mesmas manobras dos aviões com motores a combustão.
O projeto visa conhecer o aeromodelismo, sua história, tipos de aeromodelos, categorias, classes e toda a ciência abarcada neles. Também demonstra que podemos aproveitar a energia gerada pelo elástico para impulsionar um aeromodelo de vôo livre, além de termos um experimento que nos possibilita estudar outros conceitos de Física.
Após pesquisar em revistas e internet, o material obtido foi avaliado e o modelo escolhido foi o squirrel, que é um Aeromodelo de Vôo Livre (AVL). A estrutura do aeromodelo (asa, corpo, leme) foi feita de madeira balsa.
Foi usado papel de seda para cobrir a asa e o leme. A hélice foi feita de folha de alumínio com 150 mm. Um elástico, que serve para propulsão, foi preso na cauda do aeromodelo e conectado ao eixo da hélice. Quando enrolamos o elástico, guardamos energia potencial elástica sendo que, quando esta é liberada é convertida em energia cinética e, posteriormente, é convertida em energia mecânica, girando a hélice e impulsionando o aeromodelo para frente.
Com o aeromodelo pronto e voando, analisei diversos conceitos de Física que estão presentes no experimento, o que faz do aeromodelo construído um instrumento eficiente para a demonstração da Física na prática.
Tony Barker of Brisbane Australia send this cool picture of a Squirrel and the “Outdoor Squirrel” which is the 18 inch version. Tony work in the Scout Air Activity Centre at the local airfield in Brisbane.
They have programs for all ages and include the building of the Squirrel design.
“Thanks for a great design and fun flyer”. — Tony Barker
“Building my very first rubber-powered aircraft was fun. I found it quick & easy to make, even without any model making experience. As a craft teacher, I appreciate the simple and elegant design. I’m making this project a top choice for every age group.”
Jon and his son getting ready for their Squirrel workshop.
Jon Ingram of Wycliffe College Cub Scout Pack based in Gloucestershire, UK prepares for their first Squirrel workshop for their Air Activities badge. The workshop was on September 26, 2009.
They organized a photographer for their event so we should receive an update fro then with the picture from their actual workshop.
The pictures below are from Jon and his son preparing. He said that they would have ten adults helping during the workshop with 24 children.
Here is the plan for the day:
Cubs Air Day Schedule of Events
9.30am-10am Cubs arrive and meet in Barn
10am-10.15am Roll Call, Welcome, Agenda & Introductions
10.15am-10.45am Airfield Safety Briefing
10.45am-11.15am Model Building Part One*
11.15am-12.15pm Different types of flying machines*
12.15am-1pm Flying Weather*
1pm-1.30pm Lunch*
1.30pm-2pm Model Building part Two*
2pm-3pm Model Flying and Competition*
* Groups of no more than six will be taken for a tour of the hangers and aircraft and Individual cubs will be allocated flights throughout the course of the day
September 18th, Squirrel kits not received yet Here’s a comment I received from Jon: “The strike here is planned next week but I learnt that a series of wildcat unofficial strikes have been happening…..”
So I boxed up another order for him and sent it by Purolator service, 2 business days. The bill was $94.00CA.
September 22nd Squirrels finally arrive:
Hi Darcy,
I received the 2nd consignment today via UPS. The first bunch has not yet arrived. I will let you know as soon as they turn up. I am busy trying to sort out a visit from the BAE Spitfire on Saturday. If it flies over I will send you some footage!
A test build commences tonight with my six year old son…..
The following quote is from the Science Toy Maker Web site:
“Note: I am not a very humble person, but I have come across a really great beginners airplane design by Mr. Darcy Whyte that is better than what I have been making. It’s called the Squirrel. I will still write out step-by-step instructions here eventually because his two pages of instructions might be a little hard for beginners to follow. He uses them mostly during the classes he teaches (if you are lucky enough to live near Toronto you can sign up for them).”
“For now, go to Darcy’s web site and download the PDF instructions here rubber-power.com for the squirrel. Note that he has an instructional video there, too. You might be able to stream it with a fast connection, or right-click and ‘save target as.’ ”
The Squirrel was designed by Darcy Whyte to introduce young people to the delights of free flight model aviation. It does a great job. Takes less than 1/2 hr to build and typically flies quite well. Mine is a light indoor version; 1/16″ sq construction, 3/32 x 3/16″ motorstick, and Ikara 6″ prop.
Here’s some information I got from Victor I. Smedstad:
Got Squirrel from the Internet a month or so ago. I have been trying to build model airplanes since about 1941 with a nickel or dime Comet Curtis Robin. Most of my so called scale attempts flew like rocks, so much of what I have built has been flyers. For the past 7 years I have been volunteering three days a week at an elementary school in Bremerton, Washington, adjoining the Naval Base. I wanted to work on flying models with kids, but until Squirrel, they all required Xacto or razor blades and that meant risk of injury which could only be minimized with one adult to one kid, a ratio I could not come even close to. So no building.
Then Squirrel!!
After my third Squirrel, I made some modifications, none of which modified the basic design. A fifth grade teacher was willing to work with me and I found that most shoe boxes were 11 inches or more in width, but few were as much as 12 inches in width. So the first modification was to reduce the wing span to 11 inches.
Because time was a problem, and fifth graders are not too good at measuring, I made a Sharpie mark at the middle of the wing leading and trailing edges, and at the middle of the horizontal stab LE and at the middle of two 2inch ribs for the end ribs.
In addition I redrew the instructions as plans on my $10 CAD program. Found out later that fifth graders have difficulty dealing with plans, but could do what they were told to do.
I tried it out first on a fourth grader, just one. As tying the tooth pick on with thread was more that kids could do, I eliminated the thread and added a 3/8 inch X 3/16 piece to butt up against the tooth pick.
I then got a group of five kids who were willing to stay after school and used two sessions to make sure the white glue had time to dry thoroughly.
They then acted as classroom experts when we then had the remaining 20 kids do the Squirrel.
Attachments: First, a shot of the classroom: Flegel class 00. Because there was no way we could get 25 kids flying squirrels in the gym, we flew outside. Flegel class 06. And all 25 flew: Flegel class 17.
Darcy, inspired both by your Squirrel and the Dandrieux butterfly (you must be familiar…see photo “copter”) I have come up with a ridiculously simple parlor mite that, after some refining, really does fly and is about as easy to build as the Squirrel, including the innovative glue-and-fold prop I came up with. I thought you might like to see this airplane but I also wanted to ask about selling a kit of it….I thought it would be polite to get your thoughts & make sure you were OK with me selling something like this, considering how closely it resembles the Squirrel. I took a lot of your ideas….
* leading edge only wing and stab
* vertical wing tips
* same basic configuration (tractor, rubber powered monoplane w/single fin) There are some differences….
* It’s tiny! 5″ span, weighs about 1/2 gram
* paper rudder
* unique paper prop that I’m real proud of
* more typical alu bearing and wire hook
* even ctr wing is leading edge only
* with 1/32 sq wood, not good for kids
So…anyways…let me know what you think. The Dandrieux butterfly copters will definitely be out there as kits too. In all cases the # of kits I make will be ultra-limited…just haven’t the time…basically will make as many as and when I feel like. They will sell for $3 each but you’ll get a couple gratis, again, for your ideas.
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 2:02 AM
Subject: [ffml] OOS Squirrel
Hi List,
Our son visited us in Wiesbaden last spring. I had no models ready for fun so we went on the Internet, downloaded the SQUIRREL (Darcy White design), and with a slight modification, built and took it up to the brow of the hill, a big walkers and pet exercise area. There is a Roman watch tower there so we think it is the highest point in Wiesbaden.
We cranked in a few turns and while we were trimming and testing with short flights, we noticed a gentleman reading the newspaper. He was watching over his glasses. We sent up a few mid-power flights and decided too crank in some turns. We got it up to 80-90 percent and gave it a toss.
It was a sunny, cool day with the slightest breeze from the SSE. The model spiraled almost straight up and then began a more gentle circle to the left as the power came off. After a few circles we realized it was in rising air and we watched it get smaller and smaller as it tracked North. Just before it specked out as it flew over the city, the gentleman reading the paper put it down and asked in perfect English, ‘is your name on the airplane?’ I said,’ yes- also my address and telephone number.’ He said something like this. If that comes down in town and causes a car accident, they’ll know who to call for the suit! We laughed but later I wondered if he was kidding or was voicing a real concern. Regardless, the telephone never rang about the model and Hung is the only one who knows where it is.
The modification I made to the power system was to slant the toothpick that holds the rubber for the rear hook. I re-read the instructions later and found the reason the toothpick is pointed straight down is so when turns are depleted the rubber slips off which changes the CG and brings the model back down- a built in DT! Bill Kuhl has Squirrel video on his website.
“That’s the best simplistic design I’ve ever seen. The only way it could get simpler would be to make a flying wing which would’nt be as easy to fly. It looks like success is guaranteed with your design. Your trick with the tiplets is a great anti-dihedral solution. This is the same principal the FACers utilize to get our biplanes to fly with NO dihedral. We take celluloid and mount it against the vertical interplane struts. Works just like having dihedral! KUDOS!…” — Duker
