AI's Flying Oddities No. 4 & 5
Lippisch Delta I & III
by Al Backstrom

These two airplanes were a portion of the development work done by Dr. Lippisch In his series of tailless airplanes that culminated In the delta wing aircraft of today.

The Delta I was a large low powered machine that started as a glider. Its span was approximately 43' and it was powered by a 32 HP Bristol Cherub. The airplane was used extensively for demonstration. The Delta III started as a pusher very similar to the Delta I but was finished with a tractor engine configuration. It was smaller and had more power than the Delta I. It was also the first tailless aiIplane I have found that was certificated as a standard airplane. Part of this certlfication required that it spin and recover which it did. The D-ELTA registration shown was for real not just my whim. Unfortunately the Delta III was short lived as it was washed out by a grandstanding ferry pilot. Information on these airplanes was contained in Dr. Lippisch's book 1HE DELTA WING, HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT.

From a modelling standpoint these two models provide a great demonstration of the stability differences between pusher and tractor props. The Delta I with its pusher prop uses scale area tip fins and dihedral. The airplanes were apparently both silver but I used white and natural balsa rather than tIying to get the color for such simple models.

The registration on Delta III was done with 1/2" and 1" lettering guides. You will note that the color on the fuselage and fins of my Delta I are very white. This is because I used white foam from a food tray to make them rather than sheet balsa. Both of these models are now using 4" North Paciflc props but I have tlown the Delta I with over 6" prop diameter. The Delta III does not like bigger props.

You should use the flying instructions for the other models in this series. Because of the small wing chords the models are sensitive to small changes in CG locations.