Engine check. Checking the propeller. Checking the rudder. Checking the flaps. Flight check. Pre-start check completed.
"Mad Hornet to tower, request to taxi to runway 1 6."
"Tower to Mad Hornet, understood, you can taxi to runway 1 6 via taxiway Alpha. The wind is blowing from the south at 10 knots. Clear skies, visibility 10+. It's a great day to fly!"
Any day is perfect to fly your Mad Hornet from UGEARS. Inspired by the Granville Brothers' Gee Bee model R-1 Super Sportster and other vintage race planes from the 1930s, the Mad Hornet has a thick teardrop-shaped fuselage and a cockpit positioned far aft to give the pilot better visibility when making tight turns around racetrack pylons.
HISTORY AND INSPIRATION
The 1920s and 1930s were the "golden age of aviation." Aircraft design was evolving from canvas and wooden biplanes to metal monoplanes, and increasingly powerful aircraft engines were opening up new possibilities for military and civilian applications. Air racing, depicted in the popular "Rocketeer" cartoons, became a spectator sport. The Gee Bee R-1 won the Thompson Trophy (one of America's most prestigious air races) in 1932, piloted by Jimmy Doolittle, who won the Medal of Honor for leading a daring bombing raid on Japan after Pearl Harbor. With a top speed of 294 mph, the R-1 circled all but one of its competitors in the 1932 race, as it was able to stay high on course due to its excellent high-speed maneuverability. In Doolittle's words, "it's the sweetest ship I've ever flown."
MAD HORNET - DIFFICULT OR EASY ?
The Mad Hornet aircraft from UGEARS is a wooden DIY model of "medium" difficulty. It consists of 354 parts and guarantees 8 hours of enjoyable assembly. The model airplane is powered by a spring-loaded motor, often used in watch mechanisms and other precision instruments. Various sets of gears transfer power from the spring to the moving parts of the aircraft. The Mad Hornet has two modes: preflight control mode and taxi mode. Select a mode by setting the rotating drum to one of two positions. Insert a special key into the slot of the plug, then make up to 21 strokes. Place the aircraft on a flat surface, then remove the key and watch your Mad Hornet come to life. In control mode, the propeller spins while the wing flaps and tail rudder move before the aircraft automatically switches to taxiing around the airport to the runway. In cab mode, your aircraft immediately starts taxiing, covering up to 2.5 meters!
HOW UGEARS PROVIDES THE BEST ENTERTAINMENT
UGEARS is known worldwide for producing beautiful DIY wooden models and 3D puzzles. Including all types of vehicles - cars, trucks, motorcycles, trains, boats and planes. Mad Hornet is our most beautiful, most complex airplane model to date. We're also known for our steampunk sensibilities, so this small but sturdy 1930s glider seemed perfect for creating Ugears' signature aircraft. The Mad Hornet is an attractive decorative piece on a shelf at home or in the office, but with all the engineering it's really meant to entertain the imagination, especially showing the pre-flight sequence. The spinning propeller and movable tail rudder and tandem wing flaps are very cool, but the sequential action of taxiing the model aircraft after ground control is unique to our collection.
No glue or special tools are needed to assemble this model. All you need to do is cut out the cut-outs from the wood panels and clamp them together. When assembling the Mad Hornet model, remember to lightly sand and wax the moving parts for smooth operation. This is an intermediate difficulty model, so it is intended for slightly more experienced modelers or those who want a challenge. The model comes with detailed, illustrated instructions in 11 languages (Ukrainian, English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Japanese, Chinese and Korean). If you are not yet familiar with the Ugears 3D puzzle catalog, you can order one of our simpler models along with the Mad Hornet as a warm-up.
Additional information:
- installation time: 7 - 8 hours
- number of parts: 354
- difficulty level: medium
- dimensions: 26.5 x 24.5 x 12.5 cm