McALLISTER Mig 17 User manual
McALLISTER MODELS & DESIGN
”Mig 17” Catapult Glider
Catapult launched gliders are great fun!
This simple profile scale glider can be hand thrown to fly in your backyard or go to a larger space
and use the included catapult to launch this jet high and fast! Careful adjustments are the way to
get the best out of a catapult glider. That will teach you trimming skills, which is a vital part of the
fun and enjoyment of flying model aircraft.
Follow the separate instructions for how to assemble the included catapult.
If you have any questions, please contact us at
Building Instructions
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
This model glider can be built using superglue, a waterproof wood glue like Titebond II, or balsa cement.
Some parts will require sanding to fit. A useful tool is a two-sided nail file, or you can glue medium and
fine sandpaper to each side of a straight stick.
A sharp craft knife can be used to remove the laser cut parts from the sheets. Adult supervision is highly
recommended when using sharp tools and superglue.
PREPARATION
Remove the parts from the laser cut sheets. Sand the small tabs off so that the edges are smooth.
CONSTRUCTION
Glue the two wing trailing edge fillets to the rear of each wing. Use a ruler to align each perfectly.
Next, sand the wings to an aerofoil shape.
Take your sanding stick and sand the top front edge of the wing in a curve down to the bottom edge. Start
this about 3/8" (9mm) back from the front edge (yellow line). Then round the bottom corner of the front
edge. Do this along the whole length of one wing panel.
Next sand the top rear edge from a line which runs about 1/2” (12mm) from the trailing edge of the wing
(white line). Sand this area fairly flat until the trailing edge is a little less than 1/16” (1.5mm) thick. Then
sand the angle at the white line to make a smooth surface. The area where the rear wing fillet is needs to
be sanded down to the same thickness as the rest of the wing rear edge. See below.
Shape at the wing root.
Aim for a shape like this at the wing tip.
Repeat the process for the other wing. Make sure that you are making both a RIGHT wing and a LEFT
wing panel.
Join the two wing panels. First the center of each wing needs to be angled. Prop the wing tip up 5/8”
(16mm) with the center of the wing just over the edge of a board. Use the sanding stick held vertical to
make an angle for the joint. Do this on both wings.
Next put one wing flat on your board. Prop the other wing tip up 1-1/4” (32mm). Once you are satisfied
with the alignment, apply glue and leave to dry. A handy tip is to stick a strip of packaging tape to your
board and make the glue joint over that.
Slide the wing into the slot in the fuselage. Check that the wing join is directly down the center line of the
fuselage. Adjust the wing slot with sandpaper to get a good but not too tight fit.
Look from the front of the fuselage; the wings should be positioned so that they are at the same angle on
each side of the fuselage.
To check this, you can set the fuselage and wing inverted on a flat surface. Use a right angle to set the
fuselage vertical. Put a scrap of 1/8” (3mm) balsa under each wing tip. When satisfied with the alignment,
run thin superglue along each side of the joint to glue the wing in place. Glue on the top surface when the
glue is set.
