After
a series of relatively normal models -and when most thought that nothing may
come again from the twilight zone- I decided it was time to remind everybody of
what beauty is about.
I saw a sketch of the the Flick-Reining Apteroid (apteron means
literally no-wing in the language of Pericles) in a yellowed-paged book titled
“Airplanes of the World”, by Dawydoff and Rolfe. Years went by until
recently a post on the Aerodrome forum shed more light on the matter. Not that a
3 view appeared, mind you, but just a blurry photograph and patent papers, for
which nevertheless I am immensely grateful.
Using those abundant references I concocted a 3 view and finally
decided to get at it.
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images below to see larger images
Now, it may
be “Apteroid” –wingless- by name, but believe me, that didn’t
sound right when I had to make the varied flying surfaces, which were
double-surfaced as per patent description. Of course this model involved
some speculation, but that’s the only way to deal with these very arcane
machines that surely deserve a place in history (and our shelves).
A traditional Sculpey fuselage master was fabricated for the
vacuformed parts to be made and the rest of the model was also
scratchbuilt. As per photos a cockpit interior was provided.
The sketch on the book depicts two occupants, but the photo
and the patents seem to aim at just one, and that is what I did. Once the
fuselage shell was closed, the engine compartment was cut out and its
contents -engine and radiator- built, as were the six spoke wheels. A wood
prop was carved and stained.
Now, this is no kit, therefore no instructions are there to
guide –or misguide- you.
So once more or less all the parts were lying down on my building board, a
strategy had to be devised to put them all harmoniously together. I know,
“harmoniously” is an expression of desire. This is –believe it or
not- a biplane, not a side-to-side, span-wise biplane, but a fore-and-aft
biplane. Or perhaps a sesquiplane, given the fact that the lower
“wing” is less than half the size of the top one.
It made sense not to proceed as usual (being this model
itself not really “usual”) and attach the wings to the fuselage, but
to operate vice-versa, since the configuration was very “cagy” –pun
intended-.
I managed to confuse myself and had to do a couple of parts
twice, but that aside construction didn’t mandate a visit to the Shaolin
temple to reestablish peace of mind.
Although it has no wings, the twelve “flying surfaces” kept me busy, and
they were painted before general assembly proceeded and so was the embryonic
fuselage.
As per images two main assemblies were prepared, and then united
with the struts. Lots of struts. Additional parts were added and the rigging
finished all.
Look mom, no decals!
This negative aspect ratio –span less than chord- boxkite wonder
plane looks awesome, and the model captured some of that magic. I am looking
forward to build other similarly-configured machines.
Now, what about the Hulbert push-pull, Anzani-powered contraption?
Gabriel Stern
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images below to see larger images
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