Space Planes: Paper Airplanes That Really Fly! (Paper Airplanes That Really Fly!)

Rating:
Summary: great paper airplane model book
Review: I happened across the first two books in this series at a bookstore and could not resist buying them. They got me hooked and I bought this one as well.

To date, I have not made any airplanes in this book yet (though I have made planes from his other books). I have looked through this book extensively as I wait (impatiently) to have some spare time! Most of the aircraft in this book are fictitious, but roughly based on real ideas from decades back. However, there are some very nice realistic models of the X-15, Space Shuttle, and now world-famous SpaceShip One. I've been VERY tempted to put aside my studies (and the other three books, which you may have seen by reading my other reviews) to build the SpaceShip One.

Along with the planes, the author has included a brief history section in the book to educate the model builder.

I should mention that this is not a typical 'paper airplane' book. You do not simply take a sheet of paper and fold it in various ways then fly it. You have to cut out numerous pieces, form them to get the proper curves, glue them (carefully, so that the paper doesn't warp when it's drying), and THEN fly them. Even though that may sound challenging, the first few airplanes are enough to learn the skills necessary for the later (and more challenging) airplanes. And...THE PLANES FLY GREAT when built with patience and care. Mine have survived some great crashes into walls and radiators since I have a habit of launching them indoors (all the planes have a hook for launching via rubber bands).