Introduction: Delta Wing Soda Can Chuck Glider: Make and Fly Your Own Soda Can Airplane!
We made this Delta wing soda can chuck Glider improving on the original concept from our previous DIY homemade soda can glider. This NEW glider features a more efficient delta wing with optimum angle to provide more lift and a larger airframe. Equipped with basic working flaps, canards, and a new nose weight system, this glider can easily soar past SIXTY feet or more under the right conditions!
Supplies
A foam roller with a 2cm diameter
Number 2 pencil end 4.5cm long
(2) 7/8 inch screw eyes with the ends cut off
(2) 1 1/8 inch screw eyes
8-10 clean, undented soda cans
Nerf Gun Foam bullet for canopy
Super glue gel & liquid
ruler or straight edge
wooden dowel or other rounding tool
Ultra Fine point Sharpie
Step 1: Making the Nose Weight
The 4.5cm pencil end should have the eraser head trimmed flush with the ferrule. Start by twisting the two 1 1/8 inch screw eyes into the eraser head one at a time until both are screwed evenly into the pencil end. Next, slip the 7/8 inch screw eyes over the pencil end one at a time and press them over the ferrule until snug. Dab glue into the end of the foam roller and insert the pencil end through it and glue into place as shown. The completed nose weight should look as shown in the photo.
Step 2: Forward Fuselage & Nose Weight Assembly
Use the template provided to trace and cut out the forward fuselage piece. Once cut out, roll the fuselage around the nose weight that we created in step 1 tightly inside the can as shown in the photos. Dab glue on the can edge, then roll and hold until the glue sets. The completed piece should look as shown in the photos.
Step 3: Rear Fuselage & Final Fuselage Assembly
Use the template provided to trace and cut out the rear fuselage piece. Use a wooden dowel or other rounding tool to roll the fuselage piece into shape. As shown in the photos, mark off and trim a piece of can from the edge. Roll this fuselage piece so that the tail end is narrower than the front. Dab glue on the edge then roll and hold until glue sets. Test fit the rear fuselage piece onto the rear of the forward fuselage piece, then glue into position as shown. Finally slip a piece of foam roller over the screw eye then press it into the opening at the front of the forward fuselage. Dab super glue onto the piece to secure it. The nose weight should now be flush with the front edge of the forward fuselage as shown.
Step 4: Making the Delta Wings
Use the templates provided to trace and cut out the delta wings. You'll need a top and bottom piece for each wing. Next, cut two rectangular strips of can as shown in the photos for each half of the wing. These will serve as wing mounting brackets. Use a ruler or straight edge to bend them as shown, then glue them to the inside surface of each half of the wing as shown. Glue the two halves of the wing together. Repeat the previous steps to make the remaining wing.
Step 5: Attaching the Wings to the Fuselage
Use a wooden dowel or other tool to round the wing mounting brackets to fit the fuselage. Test fit the wing to the fuselage as shown and mark the position with a fine point Sharpie. Glue the wing into position as shown. Repeat the previous steps to attach the remaining wing. The wings should be level when looking at the glider head on.
Step 6: Making and Attaching the Vertical Tail
Use the templates provided to trace and cut out the vertical tail. You will need a left and right side for the tail piece. Cut two rectangular pieces from can to serve as the the mounting brackets. Fold the brackets as shown, then glue them to the inside surface of each tail piece as indicated. Glue the two halves together. Test fit the tail to the fuselage as shown and mark the position with a Sharpie. Glue the tail into position.
Step 7: Making and Attaching the Canards
Use the templates provided to trace and cut out the canard. You will need a top and bottom piece for each canard. Cut out two rectangular pieces of can to serve as the mounting brackets for the canard. Fold the brackets as shown then glue them to the inside surface of each canard piece. Glue the two halves of the canard together then repeat the previous steps to make the remaining canard. As shown in the photos, use a ruler or straight edge to bend the tips of each of the canards as indicated. This bend will be critical to the flight dynamics for our glider. Mark the position for the canard at the nose of the glider, then glue into position as shown. Repeat to install the remaining canard.
Step 8: Making and Installing the Flaps
As shown in the photos, trace and cut out two rectangular strips of can that we will use to make some basic wing flaps for our glider. Fold the wing flaps similar to the mounting brackets used previously. Trim each piece to the length of the trailing edge of the wing then glue into position on the underside of each wing as indicated.
Step 9: Making a Grip to Throw the Glider
Cut out a strip of can to use as a throwing grip for our glider. As indicated, fold the piece in half then use a ruler to bed the two ends out as shown. Glue the middle section together then dab glue on the folded tabs and glue the piece to the bottom edge of the forward fuselage. Use a pair of scissors to snip off any edges as indicated. Also trim off the grip by cutting it as indicated. Reinforce the grip piece by gluing a strip of can folded in half over top of the grip. Glue a piece of a nerf gun bullet trimmed to resemble a canopy to the fuselage between the canards. Our soda can chuck glider should now be complete.
Step 10: Flight Tips and Test Flights
Flight tips:
Canard position: As shown in the second photo, the canards should be angled upwards with the tips vertical. We found that this position essential for the longest flights.
Flap position: Flaps should be angled between 20 and 35 degrees for longest flights. If the flaps are bent steeper than this, the glider will have a tendency to bank or stall instead of flying straight and level.
Nose weight: The position of the nose weight will be essential to your glider's flight. Insure that the nose weight is flush with the edge of the can fuselage before each and every throw. If the the nose weight is pushed too far back or is too far forward, the glider will not perform as shown in the video.
Throwing tips: Hold the glider with the thumb and index finger and release in a fluid and level toss. If you release the glider too steeply, the glider will stall and will not fly as far as shown in the video.
Happy Flying!