Rubber-Powered 13" Corona Cougar Model Airplane - Start to Finish

Series of photos and videos showing the building process of the 13" rubber-powered free-flight Nesmith "Corona" Cougar, based on the 1992 peanut plan by the late Dave Rees & Walt Eggert: hallmanstudio.c...
The 1967 aircraft was called Corona by it's builder, Dix Mackey, who built it at the Corona Municipal Airport in Southern California. Model built by Tom Hallman in 2018. Inspired by the original peanut built by Dave Rees.
Doc: www.hallmanstud...
Music: Mesmerize by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon...
Source: incompetech.com...
Artist: incompetech.com/
*** 10 steps to trimming a rubber model, by John Koptonak: www.flyingacesc...
For more info on free-flight rubber-powered models, check these websites:
www.easybuiltmo...
www.volareprodu...
www.flyingacesc...​
Outerzone - outerzone.co.u...
National Free Flight Society - freeflight.org/​
Mike Stuart's Flying Scale Models - www.ffscale.co....
www.freeflight...
Flying Aces Club merchandise: www.cafepress....
Center of Gravity merchandise: www.cafepress....

[@mickeybowmeister1944]

There's something very decent and honorable about a man who can find time in life to build a model plane. Its almost philosophical😉

[@kivie13]

@Dr Moriarty A blessing in disguise. MGTOW

[@homienat3374]

Absolutely mate what a great achievement

[@homienat3374]

@Dr Moriarty moron

[@davidpreneta3805]

@Dr Moriarty ...what an asshole you are. I guess your hobby is sitting behind your computer criticizing people. Let's see something you can do.

[@tonywright8294]

Dr Moriarty total wanker

[@cxwrench1]

My dad built model planes his entire life, mostly free flight, mostly rubber powered. He build a bunch of peanut scale planes when I was a kid. He was an incredible craftsman, everything he did was perfect. You really nailed this one, looks great and flies even better. Great job!

[@skyhawk21]

If I was a panel made up of judges, I would score a 10 for construction, 10 for covering it up, and a final 10 for perfect flight and form. Job well done!

[@pompeltube]

I would say 20 on a scale of 10 :)

[@bronwindraney5111]

I would not disagree but his absolute best is the Seafire. Look it up.

[@garykyle5750]

Wonderful. FLYING model art at its best. I built a peanut version from a Peck kit 1975 in Portales NM. When finished did 3 short wind trim test in the field across from my little house and on the 3rd test got sucked into a thermal and went OOS in just a few minutes. Next morning got a phone call from Friona TX over 100 miles away . A farmer who just happened to be a free flight guy saw the little tail sticking up over a crop of cotton stoped his combine and retrieved the plane. The next day I took that fine Texas Gentleman a case of his favorite beer and spent the day swapping story’s. Over the next few years we traveled to various free flight meets together. No people like model people.

[@maxfliart]

WOW !! That's the longest thermal ride I've ever heard! Congrats on getting her back, and for the friendship you've made via F/F with the farmer in TX. As perspectives would have it, the ride from my house in PA to the field in Wawayanda, NY is just around 100 miles. That's quite a ride indeed. I hope you still have the model?! Wow.

[@skidis50]

Great Story

[@streetphone4619]

What a way to make a new friend. Great!

[@machia0705]

To build something with your own two hands and then watch it fly, there’s something pure about that.

[@maxfliart]

Thx for the comment. There's a huge payback from building, but then to have the bird fly, it doesn't get much better.

[@michaelscherer2584]

I have built model planes now for over 40 years and never had anyone to show me how it is done. You are my mentor. I have watched all of your start to finish videos one frame at a time. I have so many questions LOL. One of my first kits was a Peck Cougar, It was one of my best flying models. It eventually disintegrated. I am absorbing all of your build details. Thank you,

[@Glicksman1]

Damn, that airplane just didn't want to come down. Such a beautiful build and flight.

[@maxfliart]

Thx for all of the kind words, guys. I've always wanted to build this model, ever since I saw my mentor, the late Dave Rees's back in the 90s. His was a beauty, so I felt that building his as best I could, was the perfect way to honor him.

[@BadChizzle]

maxfliart You did so... and very well. I feel a special something, as I look at it.

[@doranjaffas7351]

maxfliart I own a beautifully constructed Tailwind W8. I'd like to see you honor Steve Wittman with a build of his. Full disclosure...I did not build it. N625MS..Now in Ionia, Michigan.

[@donaldvincent]

What a fantastic looking airplane. Perfect execution!

[@petworthtraction]

What a thing of beauty. Thanks for shooting and sharing.

[@jfan4reva]

I was thinking a couple of days ago that it would be cool to build an old stick and tissue model. Maybe with a tiny out runner electric on the front. Now I find this. Takes my back to the 50s and 60s and Comet and Guillows kits. I never made anything as detailed as this though. The bent tail feathers are things of beauty, as are all of the scale parts and the inkjet printed tissue. The best part is that after all that work you took it out and flew it! The vast majority of 'flying scale models' spent their lives hanging from the ceiling or sitting on a shelf. You took it out and exercised it's soul! Kudos!

[@hervedeturmeny8757]

Magnificent and one of my all time favorites: what a flight👍

[@jffrocks]

I watched all of that careful construction and thought "is he really going to fly it?" And then the beautiful footage of it flying free. Takes me back 60 years to when I was a kid and used to fly those rubber powered balsa wood planes. Thanks for posting this and making my day.

[@draginfly3000]

My Dad would have loved this video. He really enjoyed building balsa wood rubber powered kits. He got a kick out of building peanut scale.

[@KetilDuna]

Unbelievable videos - beautiful craftmanship, pleasant music, show all the secrets, magnificent performance. I save up, so I have a few unseen videos waiting for me. Thank you for sharing - pure balsam it is .. This little guy looks so cool ...

[@maxfliart]

Thx. I've enjoyed flying her, especially as a tribute to the original designers of the model.

[@pierutube]

That's pure poetry! Thank for sharing! I got carried away with RC and all the rest but this video made me want to go back when, as a young boy in the 70's, I used to build and enjoy flying rubber powered model...

[@acptelford1307]

Astounding skill and patience.

[@tux603]

Magnificent achievement. Congrats 👍👍👍

[@whalesong999]

Wow, that is so sweet, start to finish. I did several peanut scale planes back in the early '80s and had good performance and a few trophies with Fike, model 'E's. Loved seeing your methods and clean building and peaceful presentation. Thanks for sharing.

[@barrywebber100]

Great building skills and beautiful result, thanks for posting.

[@litemite100]

Great build and a good flyer. I am starting on a scratch build from plans of a Tipsy Nipper.

[@TheophilusPWildbeest]

Beautiful. Many years ago I tried building and flying rubber powered planes, but they always ended up as a crumpled heap of bits, so I admire your skill.

[@stephensowell9578]

Sweet flight! It climbed forever! Even if I did see her tip wind to a thermal on the way out. You Guys amaze me. Can't tell you how many times something on an RC didn't look just right and, I blow it off, "Aw it'll trim out". No such leeway in your business, especially with that 13" little jewel. Dubbel kudos for your superb effort.

[@jjyupthatsit3840]

amazing workmanship

[@sanpol4399]

WOW, this videos you are doing showing the building process and finalizing with a flight is just so delightful to see.

[@shawnmccrary5526]

Every video of your builds that I watch are incredibly relaxing and amazing. Thanks for all the hard work you do and showing us those incredibly beautiful builds that you turn into art.

[@TheMendipman]

Tom, I run out of superlatives to describe your modelling and videos. To see her flying so well at the end is just the icing on the cake. Noel

[@billsomrak]

Another brilliant video, highlighting your exquisite modeling skills. I remember that Nesmith Cougar from decades ago, and your model is not only beautiful, but has a nice "right going right" flight pattern. Thanks for sharing.

[@jasonmcguire5206]

Tom, your start to finish videos are just about the best thing the internet has to offer. Honestly, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning whenever you post a new one. Could you please share a source for the clear heat shrink tubing you used for the windshield? Uncle Google tells me there are at least two different plastic types used for clear heat shrink tubing, and I'd rather not be wasteful... You have clearly (see what I did there?) found the right type.

[@maxfliart]

Sure. Here's the group that sells what I have, but it's not cheap...and they don't sell it in shorter lengths. Mine was a long spool, a freebee from a friend who worked at a catsup company. They used it to shrink wrap the cap. buyheatshrink.com/heatshrinktubing/ultra-thin-wall-and-low-shrink-temperature-80c/ultra-thin-wall-pvc See me at Geneseo or Wawa...I'll give you a few yards. Doug B. bought the 113mm and was able to use it on his Dinah.

[@maxfliart]

Here's a demo I did a few years back. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pF6uooF9idBla5o

[@jasonmcguire5206]

@@maxfliart, Thanks. This is such a clever way to handle canopies and windscreens without having to set up the vac former. I'll try to source smaller quantities ; Ebay perhaps.

[@davidmiller5832]

I have a playlist of his builds that I watch every night as I go to sleep. The attention to detail is beyond anything on the internet.

[@rubengastelum7212]

You must be very proud of you're patience n vision ... This gave me a warm feeling n smile... I'm about to pick up my exacto n finish my highest flying model rocket that I shelved months ago after a terrible loss. Thank you for making this video...✌️😁🐶🔭

[@TheWeekendPilot]

Beautiful. Simple beautiful. Very satisfying just watching the video. I can imagine how building and launching it might have felt.

[@mikemoore9757]

I really like the looks of that little plane. Very nice build!

[@tarcisiomarques8784]

Beautiful work, beautiful model, beautiful video, beautiful music...

[@sideshowbob5237]

Outstanding!

[@ianashton886]

A work of art.... superb !

[@2LV2]

Mesmerized! Beautiful in every way!

[@michaelsteinrok3002]

I have a hard enough time just covering a plane with plain tissue. Your covering skills are superb!

[@martinlagrange8821]

Thank you for the inspirational video, and loved seeing the tools you make use of which are cheaply available and made by hand - a reminder that outerzone plus some time and patience results in something rewarding and spectacular !

[@harrothepilot]

Wow, only just found this vid. What an absolute work of art it is. Gorgeous. Flies a treat also. Thanks for posting it.

[@politicus56]

You, sir, are an artist. Your medium just happens to be small model aircraft. I am stunned by the grace, attention to detail and precision exhibited in every one of your projects. I am also blown away by the flight trimming skill you use to get the outstanding flying characteristics these planes all seem to have. I haven't built a model since '69 and am about to plunge back in. You must have professional design and drafting experience, right? Although this one was obviously built from a plan, I beleive I'm correct in saying that I've seen others that you designed yourself from the ground up. If I could get to 50% of where you are I'd be thrilled. BTW, for many years, I had relatives right around the corner from you in Warwick, NY. I remember as a kid when rte 17 was just two lanes all the way up from Jersey. Beautiful area.

[@maxfliart]

Thx for the kind words. I've been fortunate to have a career in the arts, but model building has picked up the slack for hands on, after my illustration work went from original paintings to the digital approach in the late 90s. Ironically, my mentor in illustration lived in Warwick, NY, until he and his wife moved to Austin, TX. Both are beautiful areas, but I love flying in nearby Wawayanda, NY. Here's a link to my F/F journal, along with my illustration website. Thx again for the comments. www.maxfliart.com

[@mr.thickey1820]

"Ach du lieber, mein schatz"! Wunnerful video. Plain, simple, nice lookin', & a joy to make & fly!! What more could a guy want?! Beautiful music too. We need MORE of these simple type hobbies to enjoy. "Gesundheit" mein freund!

[@dinoc.5537]

Very elegant work and very pleasing to see in the air. Beautiful.

[@f_nc]

amazing work...

[@MrJohn1966elliott]

Awesome Flight !!!

[@mikewhite4628]

Absolute masterpiece. sir. The covering and colour trimming makes me so envious of your skill. beautiful. .

[@irfanashraf1238]

It is mystical the way you hide “ Ergs “ in the long chain molecules to make these exquisite and whisper quiet machines take to the air.

[@plutosunshine8867]

very well done.....reminds me of the good old days

[@Vladancz]

Incredible, wonderful work... bravo maestro!

[@mattnsim]

Built two of these in my life. Both flew excellent

[@alansiegel4081]

Bravo! well done.

[@georgeking3436]

WOW! Meticulous craftsmanship! Thanks.

[@yorrs001]

Beautiful job. Very neat, precise and detailed. Congratulations.(Hermoso trabajo. Muy prolijo, preciso y detallista. Felicitaciones).

[@maxfliart]

Thx for the kind words.

[@airplanegirl01]

max, That's another Gem. I definitely need to figure out how to cover like that.. Thanks for sharing your passion.

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

Wow, that is really nice!

[@onazram1]

Absolutely stunning! Very well done Sir..

[@stevecraig3004]

What a magnificent endeavour. Congratulations sir!

[@karendavis6838]

BEAUTIFUL

[@lyndonpoultney8206]

Fantastic yet again. Please never stop!

[@netpackrat]

Amazing workmanship. I used to build stick and tissue models, and you put my efforts to absolute shame.

[@janwilliams178]

Beautiful plane. Thank you

[@87Wayne]

Nicely done, I have built many rubber powered models myself. Thanks for the upload.

[@marianmm7034]

Pekná práca a nádherný dlhý let!!!

[@maxfliart]

Ďakujem.

[@mikewhite4628]

Absolutely blooming marvelous!!!

[@bjornjohansson4911]

I agree with all superlatives named. Mesmerizing!!

[@SwiftRIBSAust]

Superb !

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

I also built a Pecks Polymer Nesmith Cougar fun little free flight.

[@v.e.7236]

Thoroughly impressed! Not sure I'd have the patience for that amount of detail. My hat's off to you, sir! Maybe I'll get motivated to start the build of the balsa Mustang P-51D?! Nice to see it survived its maiden voyage.

[@gregc6661]

You build like an engineer! Wow! Ever thought about building a full size plane.

[@doveboyz857]

As always, so beautiful, thanks!

[@dz1sfb]

Always a treat to see and admirably crafted model fly as well as it looks! Two Thumbs Up! Good taste in music as well.

[@giannimoscottorc.6126]

Really nice

[@TonhaoMastersBR]

Perfect as always, friend.

[@bobmillerick300]

Outstanding

[@lavidadetina2963]

Nice and perfect...like always.

[@johngunther6333]

Bravo! You sir are a master craftsman!

[@4u2cJoeD]

very nice. I built a dozen Guillows kits with little success other than static display

[@xpump876]

love these postings - really great work

[@Herr_Jehmineh]

Awesome!

[@FranksModelAviationWorkshop]

That is my favorite rubber powered airplane. I have the Peck Polymers kit hanging from the ceiling in my spare room. It doesn’t fly near as good as yours though. Lol. Great video.

[@ufoengines]

So Cool! Thanks for this post.

[@aryacreative]

Nice aircraft,,👍👍👍👍. I love it

[@wmoecke]

Bravo!

[@eckhardf4905]

It‘s just amazing! Thank you so much for this Video!

[@glenncarter2126]

Absolutely Brilliant 👌

[@robertbrunston5406]

Very beautiful plane! Thanks.

[@doranjaffas7351]

Beautiful job! I own a Tailwind! With a hundred horsepower. Slightly more than what you have but what a beautiful little airplane. I wanted to see it land though LOL fantastic little flyer!

[@maxfliart]

Thx. Too bad the full sized ship hasn't been restored, as far as I know.

[@doranjaffas7351]

maxfliart Do you know where it is? I might be interested.

[@maxfliart]

This is all that I found. Few years back. www.aviationdb.com/Aviation/Aircraft/9/N9676Y.shtm sky4buy.com/Experimental-Nesmith-Cougar-airframe-project-Cheap-151634940483/01666@@doranjaffas7351

[@fahb68]

what a video great congratulations

[@zubuxstein]

A master craftsman! ty Hopefully the last pic was after the landing.

[@skyfsa]

Nice!

[@la77y8]

This is why I bother with KZbin. Thank You

[@tonywright8294]

Superb A+

[@BuggsOgden]

Beautiful job! Nice careful build rewarded with wonderful performance. Very impressive, makes me want to try stick and tissue again. Thank you for sharing.

[@maxfliart]

It's never too late!

[@artequintanilha]

what a beautiful song!

[@sdeb729]

Being in lockdown following the pandemic, I was looking for projects to do with my 8year old boy and came across your amazing channel. What a delight! Is there any chance you could shine more light on how you build your models: from sourcing the designs, printing the tissue paper, applying the tissue paper to solid balsa or to the wings, what you shrink and don’t shrink, what paints you use, how you spray, how you attach the elastic band, how you wind it, etc. Whatever details you can share to pass on your passion would be fantastic. Thank you.

[@1ytcommenter]

very cool.

[@kimohoganesq]

Love,love it !!! :)

[@kyoatbites7865]

i think iv watched all of your video,s absolutely amazing skill you have, all the planes are awsome but this one I think is my fav ,simple great looking plane fabulous paint scheme, id love to see this converted to E

[@8028rsj]

wow fantastic. How does it wind up and launch. Beautiful job on the build and congrats on a perfect flight.

[@MichaelHarrisIreland]

Puff the magic dragon still lives in our hearts and minds.

[@trewheeler]

This is beautiful. Your attention to detail is incredible. Can you explain a little about what is happening in the 30-second range with the tail gear and how you are bending and forming the elevator and stab please. I'm intrigued. Thanks

[@maxfliart]

Thx for the kind words. Those are 1/16" thick cardboard templates to act as the forms for the laminated balsa outlines. I used two 1/32" x 1/20" strips of balsa for each outline. They are first soaked in water for 10 minutes, then laid flat on a board, where I float some Titebond wood glue onto one piece, and lay the second piece on top. This is then slowly wrapped around the form, using masking tape strips to keep them in place. Once dry over night, I peel off the tape, then sand lightly to create a rounded edge. It's easier to sand them while on the form than after you build the stab or rudder. You can then force them off with mild pressure, and start building. (I first coat the template's edge with wax or similar to prevent the glue from sticking to the cardboard form.)

[@trewheeler]

@@maxfliart Thanks very much for your reply. I've been building Guillows kits over the last few weeks (after a 35-year hiatus) that have formed tail gear balsa, but anticipate employing this technique when some more serious kits from Volare and Peck get here. I'm from an RC background but am now totally addicted to free flight as I love to build. I really appreciate your time to reply and thanks so much for your help. You are the gold standard. Very best, Tim