Some advice please on taming this beast before it kills the pilot with a heart attack or stroke.  I just want to sport fly it.

This is not the Saucy Saucer but a 22" saucer with an open center section for sport & combat flying.  I have it balanced 5" from the leading edge (12%). This is ahead of the highest point on the wing. No CG on the plans. Plans call for a 2" bellcrank I used a 3".  I have a long control horn & use the outer hole.  I also drilled & use a hole closer to the pivot on the bellcrank. Total throw 20 degrees each way. Power off landings are easy, just slides right in. Power on flight is a much different story. Apply a bit of down coming into the wind & it tucks & heads for the ground.  A friend ?? suggested try a little tail weight.  I won't do that again as it made the problem worse.

Does anyone have any experience? Narrow 3/8 " leading edge is the problem? Seems as if more nose weight would only make it more sensitive to the down control? Still to much throw?

See Barry Baxter's photo under Combat plans  Killer Saucer  http://www.controllineplans.com/frameset2.htm

It is a symmetrical airfoil. A flat circular sheet of 1/8 balsa is first made & then ribs are glued to the top & bottom.  Built per plans. The whole elevator pivots.

I like the thought of using duct tape.  Please see Bare's photo.   I have not tried inverted in any form.  It scares the hell out of me just trying to keep it level & out of the ground. 

All of the above and make sure no up or down thrust.

Controls flexing?(push rod)

Seems as if more nose weight would only make it more sensitive to the down control? Still to much throw?

More nose weight will _not_ make it more sensitive to down control.  Way too much nose weight will make it want to dive when the engine quits (i.e. you'll need flying speed for up elevator to be effective), but in general more nose weight will make it less sensitive all around.

I'd say that if moving the CG back makes things worse you should at least try moving it forward and see what happens.  Do something quick and temporary -- think washers and electrical tape, or brass prop nuts -- and give it a whirl.  If it works make it permanent, if it doesn't work what have you lost?

Then if that doesn't work you can play with throw at the handle.

I have 1 full size plan of the Sassy Saucer.  span 24.00 power   .29-35 magazine    53 AT May p36   designed by  Harriss, George P.  I have a scan of the magazine article.

Asking $2.00 for envelope and postage.

Tom Wilk

Hello, Has anyone seen any of the saucer shaped type models fly?  Are any of them stable or are they all  hairy to fly?  Looking forward to hearing from you.  Thanks, Mike

I built one of the Jetco Saucers in the 60's with a Fox 15. It was origionally published in Mechanics illustrated. I don't remember it being difficult to fly but the tank room was non existant so flights were about 3 minutes long.
Dennis