I came across this plane by way of a gift. The plane has a 62" wingspan and is 52" nose to tail. It has a balsa sheeted foam wing and a fiberglass fuselage. I was told it was an old pattern design and was curious about maybe using it for S.P.A. competition.

Saturn maybe?

I have no idea. The only thing I see that is what I would say is unique is the front of the canopy is flat like the windscreen on a full scale jet. It does have a tricycle landing gear, you can't see that in the photo's. Any ideas are helpful. Thanx!

Looks a lot like a Dirty Birdy.
Evan.

I agree.

Looks Bridi. I thought UFO.
Chris...

Mmm... not much of a DB tail though. DB's also have non tapered TE's on wing and stab. The tail is that of a Blue Angel (as close as I can tell) or an Aurora - definitely Japanese in style. The fuse is different though. It looks more like a UFO than a DB to me but then again, the UFO didn't have that jet like flat canopy front (nor did the DB).

Likely some hybrid with an obscure name. It might be an older design yet...

Should be a nice flyer though!

David.

how about a Bootlegger... I'll check my fuse i have at home.. My plans were never returned to me by my Brother n Law so will have them again around the 19th.... Will get specs... if it is a Bootlegger it was flown in itermediate and expert pattern probably others at the 86 Nats in Lake Charles... Saw a young kid flying one in intermediate that did a slow roll that looked like it was on a clothes line.... I'll remember his name soon.... he's in Arizona now.. Last name was Bird......
Tommy

I've been looking at all the pictures of vintage pattern planes on the Trento website and I also think that it kinda looks like some sort of hybrid. I would like to know what it is so I don't look dumb when people inquire about the design. You guys are great for taking the time to help me and I really appreciate it.

Easiest way to tell if it may be a bootlegger (or a southern r/c kit) is to look inside the fuse itself and see if the unpainted fuse is blue in color. The part that does stand out to me that tells me it is not a bootlegger is the front part of the canopy on your bird. The canopy on the bootlegger holds its tear drop shape through out the front whiles yours comes to a "flat" in the front. I know the saturn had this style canopy but the tail is not right. Here is a picture of the bootlegger fuse.

Ok guys, I just came up from working on this plane. This is what I have found. The vertical stab. is fiberglass also and it appears to be made as one with the fuselage, if that makes any difference. I sanded some of the paint off of the fuselage and it looks to me like the resin is tinted red. The inside of the fuselage is red but I thought maybe someone painted it but the fuse. is red under the paint. Could it have been gel coated red? Like I said before I don't know anything much about these type planes. My only experience with a plane like this was once a flying buddy handed me the controls of his old Dirty Birdy. The more I dabble with this plane the more it interests me.

Red sounds like a polyester resin fuse rather than epoxy. I believe they used to tint the resins either for effect or because the tint chemical provided some "magical" property to the resin.

Fin integral to the fuse was common. Rudder is probably balsa. A little nose work, maybe retract work and a re-finish would make her shine once again!

David.

Well if it has a diamond shape stab it could be a Kirkland Nutcracker.

I saw a Nutcracker on the Trenton site and thought they looked alot alike. Thats the only one I have found that looks really close to what I have. Does anyone know anything about this Nutcracker?

Ron, I think you got it! I built a Nutcracker back in 75 and still have the original instruction manual!!

Jon

I think I definately have a Nutcracker. Thanks for all the help guys. Now I have to get off my butt and refinish it. I think it is one of the most beautiful models that I have ever seen and I really look forward to flying it. I checked with Wing Mfg today and they have one of theirs in stock, I was thinking of building one of theirs for a spare, cause you can never have too many airplanes. Thanks again guys.