Powered Foam Glider

Intro: Powered Foam Glider

I found these gliders on Amazon and was amazed at the performance. Of course eventually we try to improve on what is already a great product and I decided to add power.

These gliders are virtually indestructible and lend themselves to be easily modified and still retain strength.

The resulting flights are amazing, but be prepared to loose them as they are free flight and fly for a very long time, by putting the tail plane in stunt mode it produces what is best described as a drunken stunt pilot, but at least they stay closer to home.

Before making any alterations, balance the model on your fingertips under the wing to find the centre of gravity and mark with a sharpie, so that you can check the balance after the motor is fitted, you have to remove the dummy cockpit to remove the ball bearing that is fitted as a nose weight.

I have tried various iterations of the power plant but have settled on the one illustrated.

There may be other ways to produce the power plant but since I have a 3D printer I designed a body to hold the motor and battery, and have a simple guard to try und save fingers from being stung by the prop.

Print the motor mount using the stl file supplied, or use a printing service to print a few for you..

STEP 1: Basic Method.

Its very simple, the images do the best talking.

STEP 2: Collect the Parts and Solder the Plugs

Whether you print the motor mount or have it done for you once you have all of the parts, solder the connectors to the motor to suit the battery, its inadvisable to alter the battery since you have to connect it to the charger.

Slide the wires through the slot then the motor.

STEP 3: Zip Tie the Motor

Zip tie the motor for a better grip, you should have felt the motor tighten as it reached the end of the hole it fits in, this is by design. Connect the motor to see if you have it turning clockwise or anti clockwise and select an appropriate propeller. While you have your thumb behind the motor for support, push the prop on all the home. When you connect the battery you should feel the air rushing back over the motor body and battery.

STEP 4: Cut the Fuselage

Lift the black cockpit foam from the fuselage and remove the ball bearing, refit the cockpit.

Lay the Motor mount and battery holder under the body and mark with a sharpie the area to be removed using a modelling knife, ensure a tight fit.

Push the assembly into the slot and adjust for a very slight downward angle of a degree or two, this counteracts the tendency to pitch up during power.

STEP 5:

In this short video you can see the results of getting the trim perfect and not having the tail plane se to stunt mod, I hope some youngster finds it and has some more fun, I searched for 1/2 hour but gave up :) but since it was so inexpensive to make It was no great loss, and since its so light and soft I have no concern of its landing causing any harm or damage.