Classic Balsa Wood Glider

Details

The original Guillow’s Balsa Wood Planes have demonstrated their fun and learning factor for nearly a century, providing literally millions of youngsters with airplane imagination.

This classic, retro balsa wood glider has a 17" wingspan and landing gear. It's a sleek, large, long distance flyer for the open sky. It has a plastic propeller, nose bearing and landing gear. Two rubber bands are provided for go-power.

SIZE: 17.5" x 3" x 2"
AGE RANGE: 6-10 years

Developmental Value

Learn about aerodynamics. Glider aircraft began with the Wright Brothers as they gained piloting experience between 1900 and 1903. A glider is an aircraft that has no engine. The most familiar type of glider are paper airplanes.

This balsa wood glider is an inexpensive way for students to have fun while experimenting with the basics of aerodynamics. A glider flies with three forces: lift, drag and weight. In order for a glider to fly, it must generate lift to oppose its weight. But the motion through the air also generates drag. So, a glider quickly slows down until it can no longer generate enough lift to oppose the weight. Then, it falls to earth.

For this Flying Machine, the glider is given an initial velocity by throwing the aircraft. It also uses a catapult made from rubber bands and a tow line to provide velocity and some initial altitude.

Manufacturer

The Guillow model airplane company began in 1926. The company was founded by Paul K. Guillow, a World War I U. S. Navy Aviator. His experience as a Navy pilot kindled in him a great interest in aviation and eventually lead to the creation and marketing of a line of small balsa wood, shelf model construction kits of famous World War I combat aircraft.

The first line of Guillow balsa shelf model kits offered consisted of 12 different W.W.I biplane fighters with 6" wing spans that retailed for 10¢ each.

In early 1998, Guillow purchased long time competitor Comet Industries/North Pacific of Chicago. This purchase transformed Paul K. Guillow, Inc. into one of the worlds largest toy airplane manufacturers and created one of the most complete lines of flying toys available.