Looking for Wristocrat Model

[Dennis McNeill]

Years ago I began building a sailplane called the "Wrist-O-Crat". Alas I never finished and have lost track of the model. I don't know the manufacturer, but it was a hand launchable 3 channel sailplane with elevator rudder an spoileron/flaperons. I wonder if anyione out there has any information on where I could get another model.... or even just the plans.

[cometkid]

The Top Flite Wristocrat was the first (and only) kit that the company did of a hand launch sailplane. The designer, Scott Christensen, was fond of using many pieces of wood in his designs, so that many builders were discouraged by the complexity of the design. The MIB kit I have includes a Wristocrat II - a 1/4 scale version which the modeler could let his kids build and fly while he or she got severe rotator cuff damage in launching, launching and relaunching the RC model. Indeed, the box art shows a cherubic kid playing with his hand chuck Wristocrat as Dad flies his "world-beater."

The kit is not in production. But an interesting variant, the Phasoar was an electric version which had the battery pack in a streamlined pod which was released with a nylon bolt for pack changing. This technique of battery pack placement was never to become popular. The Phasoar used a direct drive Astro 035 cobalt on a 6 cell SR 1000 or 1250 pack. In 1989, there were no decent BEC SCRs like the ones we take for granted today. The motor was controlled by using a third servo to actuate an on/off switch. So the kit had to have fairly heavy RC components and an airborne RX pack. I suspect that, were I to build a Phasoar from my rare plans, and employ today's micro hardware with a decent Speed 400 (or better yet, an AFI 035 with a planetary gear box) with a planetary gear, the ship would really peform. It would surely cause a stir at the flying field!:D

[Dennis McNeill]

Cometkid,

Thanks a million for the reply! I would surely like to get my hands on the plans for the original Wristocrat. Even though hand launching would probably prove to be quite aerobic (and I do need the exercise), it looks like a high start launching system would work great! Besides, if I remember right, the model was a good looking aircraft.

The amount of structure in the aircraft was quite extensive, but also part of the beauty of the craft. Like you said, with todays new RC equipment, this thing would probably really perform!

You also implied that you have many "rare" plans.... Is there a way to get plans to this model? I've been away from modeling for many years and have just been reading some new modeling magazines. It appears that everything is now ARF or some variant thereof..... I couldn't even find COMET models on the web! Whatever happened to them? They had great models for everthing from display to rubber power, to small gas powered versions....... Anyway to ressurect the old balsa and tissue days of bliss?

Anyway, thanks for the email. And, I hope your (apparent) knowledge of balsa modeling isn't lost along the way to "progress".

Dennis

[sosam117]

If you want info on Cleveland Models(Comet) their address is:
Cleveland Model & Supply Co.
P.O. Box 55962
Indianapolis, IN 46205-0962
Phone: (317)681-1444 Fax: (317)6811445

As for the Wristocrat. The Cometkid received a copy of the electric version (Phasoar) of the Wristocrat from my dad. I know my dad has a Wristocrat kit as well. In the kit was a little handlaunch glider that you made for your young child to get him interested in model airplanes. I have very fond memories because dad build the little handlaunch, which by the way looked a little like the Wristocrat. But, he never built the kit(so many parts).
I know it is still in my father's estate(passed away May of this year), I do not exactly know where it is at. If I find the kit I could copy the plans if you want?

[cometkid]

Dennis,
That irrepressible sosam117 is a good friend of mine. He's also a master builder of old timer aircraft.

sosam117 is correct about the origins of my Phasoar plans. I'm responding to you directly via email and will certainly be able to send you a copy of my Wristocrat plan and construction detail/text.;)