N.F.O. Nate's Flying Object:

an inexpensive (< 5 bucks!) and neat saucer

by Nate Galger

The first time I saw a rocket powered saucer, I was instantly in love. I had to make one of my own. I believe the saucer I saw was a kit, it was really cool, but I wanted something a little different looking. I figured mine should look like a classic sci-fi saucer. I decided it should look like it was crafted out of metal, because that's what UFO's are made of, right? O.K. I knew what I wanted and had an idea in my head how it was to look, now to make it a reality.

The items I used to build my N.F.O. are:

• 3/32 balsa sheet
• 24mm engine mount with hook
• styrofoam ball (used for art and craft projects)
• hot glue gun
• elmer's wood glue
• 1/8" launch lug

As I said, this is an inexpensive project to undertake. The 3/32 balsa sheet cost around $2.50 . I got the engine mount and hook from a friend, no charge. Styrofoam ball cost $.99 the rest of the stuff, I had already. If you're into building rockets, You should already have most of this stuff too. If you don't have a hot glue gun, I suppose you could use whatever glue you have or borrow a glue gun from someone. I used my mom's. My cost was $3.49 If you already have this stuff, it won't cost you a cent!

I started off by cutting the foam ball in half. Then I pushed the cardboard engine tube through the center of the flat part of the foam, until it was flush with the top. Then I Pushed my finger through and the un-needed foam popped out to be thrown away.

Next I cut out four half circles from my balsa, which I traced from a plastic bowl. I glued the pieces together to form two equal circles. After that dried, I oozed some wood glue on one face of a circle and laid the other circle on top of it making sure my two center lines were perpendicular. Then I traced my engine mount tube onto the center of this doubled up circle, and cut the center out.

I put the engine hook into the mount tube, held it there with a piece of scotch tape. I set the styrofoam half-ball on top of the circle I had and then put the engine mount in up through the bottom. Then I glued the styrofoam to the balsa with hot glue and also the engine mount tube to the balsa from the bottom. The final step of the build was to cut a little hole in the balsa to put my launch lug. I used a hobby knife like a drill. I stuck in the launch lug. Viola! I painted it chrome and waited to fly my masterpiece.

I used a C11-5 for my first flight. Cold day 47 degrees and a wind of 10mph. A couple people expressed their doubts about the glue holding up or the launch lug being a little far out from the center. I flew it nevertheless. Countdown went good and my saucer flew wonderfully. It made the distinct sound I remember from the first saucer I had seen. I was so happy with how mine flew, I prepped it immediately and launched it a second time. This has been a lot of fun. Also, it should be noted that the styrofoam did not melt from the ejection charge going off. There was a little bit of a brown tint to the area around the top of the engine, but nothing drastic. I guarantee I will Fly this saucer again, and again, and again...