Mercury Magpie

[Pulserudder]

I've started a build log on another forum for the Mercury Magpie, 24" towline glider. As a way to get more involved with this new launch of HPA, I thought I might share the build here as well.

As part of my project, I've endeavored to learn what I can about Mercury, Henry J. Nichols, and 308 Holloway Rd. to share with others, like myself, who grew up in the US and may not be aware of the rich history. I have had some success delving into back issues of Aeromodeller that are available online, but I've no doubt that members of this forum may well be quite familiar with H.J.N. and Mercury.

I've had an interest in gliders of all types since I was a boy and have developed a particular interest in the British towline glider scene from the 1940's and 1950's. I've seen several examples of Magpie builds in recent years, some scaled, some with rc sssist, but all seemed to be a source of great enjoyment to their maker.

In any event, I've only just started cutting a few bits of balsa and no photos to show yet but soon. Attaching a cropped screen shot taken from January, 1950 Aeromodeller introducing the "new" Mercury Magpie.

My model will be free flight, sticks and tissue, built as close to plan as I can manage using available materials and with simplicity and perhaps a bit of child-like wonder as my guiding stars.

[TheLurker]

I've started a build log on another forum for the Mercury Magpie, 24" towline glider. As a way to get more involved with this new launch of HPA, I thought I might share the build here as well.

Excellent, I do like a glider.

I've had an interest in gliders of all types since I was a boy and have developed a particular interest in the British towline glider scene from the 1940's and 1950's.

Psst! Wanna a Roland Scott Walthew MK II (1949) plan?

[Pulserudder]

Thanks for the encouragement. I've looked at the Walthew a few times on Outerzone including your notes and files. Maybe someday. Curious, do you have a copy of Rev. Callon's book in your modeling library? Perhaps you grew up with it?

For now have started gluing up the vertical fin on the Magpie. Not enough to show yet. Did I mention I'm a slow builder?

[TheLurker]

Curious, do you have a copy of Rev. Callon's book in your modeling library? Perhaps you grew up with it?

I do.  It's very dog-eared, err... downright tatty and, yes I did grow up with it.  It was given to me in early 1973 and I used it as my instruction manual for my first (glider) build, KK's Minimoa.

Anyway, what's wrong with being a slow builder?

[Pulserudder]

I've enjoyed reading through some of Callon's articles targeted to the beginning modeler that I found in back issues of Aeromodeller from early 1950. He starts out the new year building a Walthew glider then switches to a Magpie with the April issue, if I recall correctly.

Has anyone built and maybe flown the Walthew II glider in recent times? Would love to see a photo or two.

And of course nothing wrong about taking one's time. I enjoy the process.

Magpie's fin while the cement dries.

[TheLurker]

Has anyone built and maybe flown the Walthew II glider in recent times? Would love to see a photo or two.

Ask and it shall be given.
1 - Fresh off the production line
2 - Screen grab from a test flight off a short bungee.

It's not a bad flyer, I've had a minute+ from it (in good conditions - doesn't like it blustery) off a Peterborough std bungee at Port Meadow, but it can be a bit of a fiddle to get the trim right.  Rev. Callon reported flights of 3 minutes+ and OOS flights, but they would have been off towline launches rather than bungee.

[Pulserudder]

The Walthew looks fantastic, especially the flying shot. Well done, and thanks ever so much for sharing the photos of your beautiful model.  Now I may well have to build one.

Did you use the offset hooks shown on the plan?  I plan to try similar offset hooks on the Magpie.

[TheLurker]

Did you use the offset hooks shown on the plan?  I plan to try similar offset hooks on the Magpie.

Nooo, I did my own thing. 

"My" aerodrome is quite small and I wanted to be able to trim the circuit to suit wind direction so a centre line mounting seemed to offer that flexibility. My version won't take a high strain tow, but it's not a model that likes that sort of treatment anyway.

[Mike Thomas]

Please forgive a question that is not about a glider, but Lurk's lovely photos of the Walthew glider prompts me to ask if anyone reading this has ever built a Walthew rubber model, and if so, how was it?