Whitewings - History of Jet Fighters 1992

This worklog covers the fabrication of whitewings type paper airplane models reproduced from original kit designs. If you are uneasy with reproducing 30+ year old out-of-print paper model kits, then turn back now.

I had the pleasure of cracking the seal on this new condition kit - it had a lovely new paper smell. It contains 3 racer models, 2 trilinears, and 10 jet models. I haven't seen a built trilinear in the wild before. I'm on the fence whether I should build one from the original kit or find a good way of reproducing it from my scans. The planes are longer than the letter size card stock I've sourced. Racers are easy to build and fly so it's nice to have 3 more of those. The jet models should be interesting. I suspect they will be a challenge to fly - especially the delta and heavily swept wing models. However, once tuned I suspect some of them could make for exciting (high speed) outdoor flights.

materials and tools

85lb 230gsm cardstock, joyberg brand
hobby knife
White glue, Elmer's
Straight edge
Flatbed scanner
Software - GIMP A new, complete "History of Jet Fighters" kit published in 1992

For details on material selection and research see my "whitewings" article under lab notes.

testing and reviews

racer 532 dragonfly

Status: Assembled, indoor test only
Source: Scans printed on 85lb card stock
Review: Like most of the Racer models assembly is straightforward. This is a simple, easy to fly model in indoor tests. Will update review for outdoor flight, but I suspect this will be an excellent flyer outdoors.

racer 533 sparrowhawk

Status: Pending

racer 534 heron

Status: Pending

trilinear 704

Status: Pending

trilinear 705

Status: Pending

messerschmitt me-262

Status: Pending

de havilland vampire

Status: Pending

lockheed p-80 shooting star

Status: Pending

north american f-86 sabre

Status: Pending

mcdonnell douglas f-4 phantom ii

Status: Pending

hawker siddeley harrier

Status: Pending

mcdonell douglas f-15 eagle

Status: Pending

general dyanmics f-16 fighting falcon

Status: Pending

dassault mirage 2000

Status: Pending

lockheed f-22

Status: Pending

worklog

September 9 2024

I scanned the original, uncut paper sheets as grayscale JIS B5 size documents. I used GIMP to touch up the scans removing specks, and making the backgrounds as clean as possible. The scans are available for download on the Whitewings page in Lab Notes section of the site. I also scanned the assembly and flight instructions, the box cover, and the flyer inserts included in the kit.

September 16 2024

I printed, cut, and assembled the Racer 532 Dragonfly model as a test and the print was good. I use an Epson Workforce 2940 printer and it handled the 85# card stock well with the paper type set to matte presentation. The model itself is a strong flyer in indoor testing. I'm looking forward to outdoor tests. Storms are on track to move through tomorrow with a cool down this weekend. Hopefully the wind will calm a bit once the front moves through and we can test this and several other models that are in the queue.