The Original U.S.Kid
Flying Models Magazine published the landmark “Project HLG” article in July of 1970. Dick Mathis’ “Flash”, Kit Bays’ “Zing Machine”, and Tom Peadon’s “U.S. Kid” free flight hand launch gliders were introduced to the world as part of this piece. The "Project HLG" gliders and their designers have grown to legendary status. In fact, the article has been cited as an early influence for several of today’s top free flight glider flyers. The skill of Tom Peadon (aka Tommy-“T”) was showcased in this classic article. He inked the drawings for all three of the designs presented in the feature.
I have great memories of the “U.S. Kid”! Known as a great performing glider, it was the model that I had flown for my first “out of site” flight. It was amazing to lay down on an old Army airfield in upstate New York and watch this little glider circle with a hawk until it disappeared overhead into a cloud. I was immediately hooked on gliders and free flight!
As the free flight community transitioned to tip Launch (or discus launch) gliders, I found myself interested in remembering the classic hand launch gliders and all the wonderful people I have met via aero modeling. The DiscUSKid glider design is my way of thanking Mr. Peadon for “The Original U.S. Kid” and it is intended as a tribute to the influential few who have changed and continue to change my life through free flight!
All the Best!
jAn Langelius
Tom Peadon (a.k.a. "Tommy-T"), February 2010, with the DiscUSKid prototype.
Flying Models Magazine published the landmark “Project HLG” article in July of 1970. Dick Mathis’ “Flash”, Kit Bays’ “Zing Machine”, and Tom Peadon’s “U.S. Kid” free flight hand launch gliders were introduced to the world as part of this piece. The "Project HLG" gliders and their designers have grown to legendary status. In fact, the article has been cited as an early influence for several of today’s top free flight glider flyers. The skill of Tom Peadon (aka Tommy-“T”) was showcased in this classic article. He inked the drawings for all three of the designs presented in the feature.
I have great memories of the “U.S. Kid”! Known as a great performing glider, it was the model that I had flown for my first “out of site” flight. It was amazing to lay down on an old Army airfield in upstate New York and watch this little glider circle with a hawk until it disappeared overhead into a cloud. I was immediately hooked on gliders and free flight!
As the free flight community transitioned to tip Launch (or discus launch) gliders, I found myself interested in remembering the classic hand launch gliders and all the wonderful people I have met via aero modeling. The DiscUSKid glider design is my way of thanking Mr. Peadon for “The Original U.S. Kid” and it is intended as a tribute to the influential few who have changed and continue to change my life through free flight!
All the Best!
jAn Langelius
Tom Peadon (a.k.a. "Tommy-T"), February 2010, with the DiscUSKid prototype.