Date Reviewed: 30 July 2007
Author: Richard D. Clodfelter
ISBN# none
Year of original book/Year of my copy - 2007
Pages - 8 pages
Cover Price - Bought off Ebay, $2.75
Number of Planes - 5 Planes
Names of Planes - Delta Dart, neoCessna, PBY Catalina, Biplane, P-38 Lightning
Level of difficulty - 5 out of 10
Comments: This is a short booklet that features 5 designs with a free link to a 6th one, The Canard. There are 3 pages of background material, and 5 pages of planes. It packs a strong punch with flight principles, history on the planes themselves, and the author's motivation for creating this work.
While it does seem to be light in the total amount of information it could have, it is not intended as a book, but rather a folio. So that is not a big concern. Same with only have 5 planes, it is not supposed to be a book.
What is unexpected and great about this folio is the 2 new ways of creating paper airplanes that he has come up with. He uses the "accordion fold" instead of cutting out a lot of pieces to glue together, and he has a different way to create his airfoil in the planes. You can download his free design, The Canard, HERE. It will give you a good preview of his design style for the airfoil.
Another nice thing about his designs is that they are easily enlargeable. I scanned his designs so that I coud make more than one, and printed them off on 65 lb stock. Then I increased them in size and printed them off on 110lb stock and made a large Canard, and a large P-38. The P-38 flies great with a little modification in weight distribution and reinforcement.
I recommend this Folio, if you can find it. Experienced pilots will find something new, and it is simple enought for a Novice Pilot to follow and fly.
I give this Folio a score of 9 out of 10 (scored as a Folio, not as a Book)
Total Score: 9 out of 10.
Here is the Folio and al the planes I made from it. Mind you, the planes come in on plain white paper, on a heavy stock.
I scanned the images, and reprinted them on 65lb paper stock, in various colors. That way I can build the planes whenever I need a new one!
If you like the Airshed and Control Tower, Check out this web site for instructions, or if that is not available, they are in The Museum's Archive, HERE.
This little Biplane design is a nice little flyer - it is my second favorite in this book.
I had a little trouble flying this one.
Another good design, this one flies well too.
Nice design, nice flyer..
This is my favorite plane of the bunch. Nice, simple, great lines and it flies great!.
I liked it so much, I supersized it! I scanned the plan, enlarged it, used 110lb card stock, changed the weight distribution a little, and it is STILL a great flyer!
A truly Great paper airplane design is one that can be enlarged or reduced and still fly well.
This is the free plan he offered on the web along with the folio on ebay. A nice plane, it is blalanced very well and flies good.
You can still get his plane at his site HERE, or in The Museum's Archives HERE
This one enlarges well too!