Brief:
This is a review of Art Applewhite's newly released 4" ‘Delta' saucer, which flies on 13mm motors. The main difference between his Delta saucers and his standard line is that there are no fins, and both the top and bottom shrouds extend to the motor mount. This makes them simpler to construct, less expensive, and fly higher than the standard saucers.

Construction:
Parts

Note: This kit includes the parts to make two delta saucers! The following are the components for a single saucer:

• One sheet of cardstock - top and bottom shrouds
• One ~ 4" square piece of foam board - center plate
• One 1.75" 13mm motor mount

Tools and supplies required

• Scissors
• Exacto knife
• White glue
• Sandpaper
• Clear enamel spray paint

[BTW, if you already looked at my article on the 24mm delta saucer, you can pretty much skip to the launch section, as the assembly of these saucers is essentially identical]

My Delta saucer came nicely packaged in a ‘food saver' type sealed bag. The saucers were packaged in the shipping box with large plastic bubbles also made with a sealing machine. The three pages of instructions for the Delta saucer are well detailed and include lots of photos.

Construction of this saucer is really simple. You first cut out and form the top and bottom shrouds. On this small saucer, I found it difficult to cut the 13mm and launch rod holes with scissors so I used an Exacto knife for these cuts. You then cut out the center plate form the pre-marked foam board. There is an inner mark around the outer rim, where you only cut through the top layer. You then form a beveled edge by cutting at about a 30-degree angle and sanding the edge smooth.

Assembly consists of gluing the top shroud to the plate, adding the motor tube, and finally the bottom shroud. You must ensure that you align the launch rod guides on all three components. Also, make sure the motor mount extends through the front shroud so that no paper overhangs the end of the mount. On a home-grown paper saucer, I left some overhanging just a bit, and the gasses from the motor charred the paper, leaving a hole in the front.

Finishing:
As with Art's other saucers, there is no finishing required, other than sealing the printed cardstock with a clear coat.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
In the instructions, Art says that you shouldn't fly these saucers in winds over 10 mph. This weekend the winds were over 10 mph, and several days of rain had left the field a swampy mess. The latter at least made saucers a perfect choice, as the area surrounding the pads was high and dry. And hey, if I've drive almost 2 hours to a launch, I'M GONNA FLY SOMETHING!

I loaded this saucer on a standard Estes 1/8" rod. Note there is no lug, rather the rod fits through gaps in the top, center plate, and bottom shroud. The boost of this small saucer was almost perfectly straight despite the winds. I was surprised as my earlier flight of a 12" 3x24" saucer was almost horizontal at apogee. The saucer fell nose first close to the pad.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
Art's Delta saucers are an interesting addition to his extensive saucer line. As advertised, they are indeed easier to build - I build two in a leisurely afternoon - and they fly well.

When I was going to rate these, I almost began feeling bad rating all Art's products so highly. There is no distinction between the different models if you go by my ratings. Finally, I decided “what the heck?" They all are relatively easy builds and fun. The Deltas are easier than the others are, but I have no problems cutting fins. My guidance to the buyer is: buy the size you think you'd like for the motors you want to use and buy the style you find most pleasing (standard vs. Delta, and the pattern/color).

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5