The Baby Racer. (Plate IV.)
This is one of the smallest and simplest machines of the twin propelled racing models. The two main members of the motor base or fusellage are 1/8" x 1/8" in section and 5 1/2 inches long. One end of each is tapered and then glued and bound with strong thread. The opposite ends are held apart by a brace made from flat steel wire. The wire is hammered out flat at the ends and drilled with a small hole to form a propeller bearing. The details of the brace are given in the upper right-hand corner of the plate. The brace is fastened to the sticks by lashing with thread.
It is well to place a small wooden brace across the frame about midway of its length. This will serve to considerably stiffen the frame and prevent it from sagging under the tension of the rubber bands.
Plate VI.
The planes are cut from stiff paper. The main plane is 7 1/4 inches across and the elevation plane 2 3/4 inches. Each plane is cut to the shape shown in the drawings and stiffened by gluing a thin wooden strip across the front edges of the planes.
A small piece of steel wire is passed around the front end of the frame and bent to form two anchor hooks for the rubber bands. It is then lashed firmly into position and the thread covered with glue so that it will not untwist if broken.
The propellers are made from thin whitewood or veneer. They are four inches in diameter and formed by steaming and bending. The shaft is formed out of brass wire by bending it around the centre of the propeller. Two small beads are slipped over the shaft to eliminate friction between the propeller and the bearing.
The planes are held in position by small rubber bands. The sketches in Fig. 53 explain exactly how this is accomplished.
