Art Applewhite Rockets Ultra Delta Flying Saucer

Art Applewhite Rockets - Ultra Delta Flying Saucer {Kit}

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Manufacturer: Art Applewhite Rockets

Art Applewhite Ultra Delta SaucerBrief:
This is a simplified version (if you can believe that) of Art's 24mm Delta Flying Saucer. The kit is all cardstock and can be built with either an 18mm or 24mm motor mount.

Construction:
The kit contains two sheets of cardstock, containing seven parts to be cut out.

Materials required are scissors, hobby knife with new blade, Elmer's white glue, new or used engine casing, cellophane tape, and ballpoint pen.

This will be a short description. All you have to do is cut out the parts (following the 18mm or 24mm guides, as appropriate) and glue them together per the instructions. The Art Applewhite Ultra Delta Saucer instructions say to use white glue not Carpenter's glue, so that's what I used. If you intend to use longer motors (over 2.75"), you leave out the motor block.

I'll offer two tips. First, don't use too much glue. I have the propensity for using too much and the glued areas tend to look a little warped. Second, if you have Aerotech 18mm and 24mm SU cases, use these to form the motor mount. If you use Estes casings, you will need to wrap them with a layer of cellophane tape.

Finishing:
Finishing involves only a few coats of clear coat.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
The recommended motors are:

MMT sizeRecommended motors
18mm A8-3, B4-2, B6-0, B6-2, C6-0, C6-3, and Aerotech RMS 18/20 reloads
24mm C11-0, C11-3, D11-P, D12-0, D12-3, E9-P, E9-4, Aerotech F21W and RMS 24/40 reloads

Art Applewhite Ultra Delta Saucer

Flight prep includes friction fitting the motor and, if you elected to leave off the motor block, a masking tape thrust ring.

I flew the 24mm version at the 3rd Annual TRF Reunion at Whitakers, NC. On the first flight, it flew on a D12-0 alongside a standard saucer, a Delta saucer, and a Super Cinco. It was a fast, straight flight with less weathercocking than the others I compared.

I flew it again on an E9-4. Not much to say here but it really zipped on this motor. Ejection was well before it landed.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Art Applewhite Super Cinco

Summary:
This is one simple, inexpensive, high performance saucer kit. I think it is faster than his other designs, but they are so close it is hard to tell without a drag race (with simultaneous ignition to boot). When I built the saucer, I was thinking that the all cardstock 24mm design may not be as sturdy as the Art's other products. I know I only have two flights on it, but I now don't see that as an issue.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • Art Applewhite Rockets Ultra Delta Flying Saucer By Bob Cox

    Overview A cardstock flying saucer that can be built to fly on 18mm or 24mm engines. Kit Specifications Diameter - 6 inches (15cm) Height - 2.75 inches (7cm) Weight - 0.5 oz (12gm) Background: Art Applewhite specializes in finless rockets that can be built from cardstock and foamboard. He sells a kit called the Delta Flying Saucer that is built from cardstock ...

Flights

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