Make a Q-Tip Indoor Prop!

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OK, before we get into how to make that better prop, let’s share some important updates.

FIRST: The Sunday March 3 Glastonbury H.S. indoor event will be a Full Day 8am-5pm Contest and Flying Session .  This is a make-up for the cancelled January full day session.  Remember, there is no February Glastonbury indoor flying session, so be sure to make the March 3 Full Day session.  Hooray, and thanks to John K for setting this up!

SECOND: Results from the Feb 4 Georgetown, MA meet are below:

2/4 FAC Kanone Report – Sheet 1

2/4 FAC Kanone Report – Sheet 2

Make a Lightweight Indoor Prop

At the Glastonbury, CT high school indoor sessions, you may have noticed a tall gent flying some incredibly small (isn’t that always the way), beautiful and well-behaved models.

Well, on very small and light models such as those that clubster Doug Halley flies, the right prop is critical.  A commercial one-piece plastic prop (eg Peck, North Pacific, etc.) can sometimes be just too heavy, or maybe a different pitch is needed.  Our Stealthy roving reporter caught up with Doug and asked for more info on the unique adjustable paddle-bladed props on his models.

Doug came through with a detailed article outlining how to make his “Q-Tip Prop” and where to get the components used to build it.  Tom N built a Q-Tip prop for his Peanut Scale Bristol Brownie and can attest to its ease of construction.  The Brownie won a Peanut Scale event outdoors at a recent FAC Nationals with this prop.

Paddle-bladed props like this work great on lightweight models such as the super cool Kyushu Shinden that Steve E was flying at the Feb 4 Georgetown indoor meet.  Be aware, however, that these props are not “legal” for some competitive events – Dime Scale, Chameleon One-Design, for example – they’re too good!

Many thanks to Doug H for sharing his excellent lightweight indoor propeller design with us.  And better yet, how to make it and set the pitch!

How to Make a Q-Tip Prop