One Design Contest for 2026-27 Indoor Season!
The One Design Model has been announced for the 2026-27 indoor season. The “Spirit of Glastonbury” 14g Bostonian model designed by Phil Thibodeau will be flown by the Stealth Squadroneers in the Penn Brook Middle School gym and the Glastonbury Modelers in the Glastonbury High School gym. Indoor flying dates for both of these sites (Georgetown, MA coming soon) have been posted to the Calendar page and show up in Coming Events on the homepage. Get the “Spirit of Glastonbury” full size plan and construction article below (free download) and check out the Rules before you head to the building board.
As is their usual practice, the Stealth Squadroneers will be flying their “Spirit of Glastonbury” one design models in a series of fun events in the Penn Brook Middle School gym in 2027. We’re really looking forward to flying the “12 minutes of Georgetown event” with the Spirit this coming season!
Bonus: The “Spirit of Glastonbury” can be flown in the FAC Embryo Endurance events frequently held at the outdoor meets at Woodsom Farm in Amesbury, MA and Pinkham Field in Durham, CT. Double or triple your fun with “Spirit”, skysters!
Phil Thibodeau “Spirit of Glastonbury” One Design
Use the links below to download the free full-size construction plan and article. Free, no charge, no downloads limits.
The plan and article files print on standard 8 1/2 x 11in “letter” sheets. Easy peasy.
Rules
Spirit of Glastonbury Armstead Trophy Event 2026/27 Version 1.0
1. The model shall be built to the plan and meet AMA Bostonian rules with the following exceptions:
- You may move the motor peg location.
- You may leave off the 1/32nd stringers.
- You may leave off the spinner.
- You may leave off the “windshield” and cover that area with tissue. (but consider adding the periscope!)
- You may increase the diameter of the main wheels.
- You may add material/structure as need be.
- Landing gear wire may be of a different diameter or left off completely
- Landing gear may be altered in length but must allow the model to ROG.
- The trailing edge of the wing may be replaced by 1/8th x 1/16th balsa.
- All wing ribs may be fabricated from 1/16th balsa
- The wing spar may be reduced to 1/16th x 1/8th inch balsa and mounted either on top or bottom of the wing.
- 1/16th sq. balsa may but used for the stab and rudder rather than the 3/32nd x 1/16th noted on the drawing.
- The stab balsa mounting piece may be reduced in size to whatever size you choose.
- Engine cylinders may be made from whatever material you like.
- You may add as much detail from the full size Spirit of St. Louis as you like.
2. Minimum weight shall be 14 grams without rubber motor.
3. Flights shall be R.O.G.
4. You may post as many flight times as you like.
5. A “charisma” adjustment shall be applied to a pilot’s best time. That adjustment will be determined after posting your first flight and have your model photographed for a model event archive. BUT THE SCORE WILL NOT BE DISCLOSED UNTIL APRIL 18, 2027. The point scale will be awarded from 1 to 1.20 and used as a multiplier for each high time to establish each pilot’s score based on the following scale:
1.00 No spinner, wrong color, no 1/32nd stringers, no generator, no markings, no control outlines
1.10 No stringers, all plan detail but no spinner
1.20 All plan detail as well as significant additional scale detail.
6. There will be a special (TBD) prize for the first pilot to achieve a flight of exactly 33.30 seconds (flight time only, no charisma) representing Lindbergh’s 33 hour 30 minute flight. A photo of the stopwatch taken by the judge is necessary to claim the prize.
One-Design Event Background
From John K of the Glastonbury Modelers: “When we started the Armstead Trophy event years ago, the concept was to build a simple, quirky indoor-oriented model and fly it throughout the season to post a high time.”
For many years now, the Stealth Squadron and the Glastonbury Modelers, based in Glastonbury, CT have been sponsoring a joint One Design Event in their respective indoor free flight model airplane competitions. The indoor flying season for each of these Flying Aces Club “squadrons’ (local model airplane clubs) runs from November through April. Between the two clubs there is ample opportunity to fly these One Design Models which makes this one of the most popular events. Member enthusiasm and participation runs high as the One Design subject and plan is announced before each indoor flying season!
2025-26 One Design Model – Jolly Roger”
2024-25 One Design Model – Scrappy”
2023-24 One Design Model – Phantom Flash “Chameleon”
2018-19 One Design Model
2017-18 One Design Model