DLG / F3K Hand Launch Links 2026

Airfoils Thread https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2096323&pp=100#post27407001

Links to the Edge, Synergy, Zone, and Zone V2 airfoil design threads (corrections welcome)

  • Edge: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1139965
  • Synergy: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1577149
  • Zone: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1065278
  • Zone V2: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1348570

ArmSoar https://www.armsoar.com/

Arctus, BAMF, Go, Go Mini, Vibe

Aloft Hobbies https://alofthobbies.com/collections/discus-launch

Hawk, Longshot 4, MAAT 1 & 3

Art Hobby http://www.arthobby.com

Nice selection of HLGs

BLH http://www.jivaro-models.org/aspi_97_blh/page_aspi97.htm

ASPI 97 (in French)

Charles River RC http://www.charlesriverrc.org/articles.htm

Online plans for the SuperGee II, Apogee, Terminator HLG

Claus Thiele Modellbau http://www.modellbau-thiele.de/index.htm

Falke, Keibitz, Milan, Weihe, and others (in German)

CLM-Pro https://www.clm-pro.com/models/arf/hlg-trotter-arf

Trotter

Dave's Toys https://www.davestoysforbigboys.com.au/store/Discus_Launch_Glider/DLG__HLG_models

AUS supplier for Vladimir's Models: Blaster, Elf, Snipe...

Decker Planes http://www.decker-planes.de

Spinnin Birdy (in German)

DeX SAL https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1218372

DeX 0.77m SAL

DJAerotech http://www.djaerotech.com/1-5m-chrysalis-kits/1-5m-chrysalis-handlaunch

Chrysalis traditional built-up HLG. Also their "Ask D&J" has lots of good info.

Dr. Chucho https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=657695

Dr. Chucho SAL Glider

Dream Flight http://www.dream-flight.com/products/libelle-dlg

Libelle

Dyne-o-mite https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1560717

Dyne-o-Mite 1M SAL Glider

Edge https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1139965

RC Groups thread on the Edge Airfoil series — refer to the top post for links to designs buried deeper in the thread

Fliegenbar Gmbh https://www.fliegenbargmbh.com/shop

Azurreich

Flightcomp https://flightcomp.com/collections/dlg-f3k

Vortex, Fireblade, Brko, MAAT, Strike 3 Mini

Flightpoint https://flightpoint.co/product-category/rc-gliders/

Hawk, Iago, Shaka

graham1234's planes https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2220383&pp=100#post29102629

Designs by RCG user graham1234:
  • Storm: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2028786
  • Blackjack: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1727382
  • Karisma: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1726903

HJZ http://hjz-model-eshop.idv.tw/en/index.php?cPath=21

Predator II

Hobby Club http://www.hobbyclub.com

Blaze, Rubi

Hokusei Model Shop http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/Mini-DLG-series/108065_211409174.html

Chinese Mini DLGs similar to Apogee Sport

Horizon Hobby (UK) https://www.horizonhobby.co.uk/en/horizon-hobby-best-brands/staufenbiel/dee-l-gee-995mm-pnp-1

Dee-L-Gee 995mm PNP

Hyperflight http://www.hyperflight.co.uk/products.asp?cat=RC+Gliders

UK supplier of Mini Vick and Big Vick, Alt, Schloiderding V2, Spinnin' Birdy RE and Aileron, Elf, Malibu Pro, Hawk / Light Hawk, Strike 2 and 3, Dream Flight Alula-Trek and Libelle, Stiletto Lift 1.2m, Flipper 1.25m, Blaster 2/3/3.5, #Boom F3K, Stark 2017 and Pro, Smile F3K, Snipe SN/SNT/2

ICare http://www.icare-icarus.com/DLG--Micro-Glider_c_185.html

Osiris, Gladiator, Sailfish

Icarus https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1115500

Icarus 1.2m DLG

Kennedy Composites http://www.kennedycomposites.com/

Blaster 2, Blaster 3, Blaster 3 ST, Elf, Snipe

Manta https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=688041

RC Groups Thread on the Manta — built-up Drela DLG

Microbirds https://microbirds.com/rc-plane-radio-control-kit-glider-feather/

Feather Micro Glider *New*

MiMi https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=840763

Modelflight https://www.modelflight.com.au/gliders/hand-launch-gliders.html

AUS supplier of Long Shot

Modellflug-Technik http://www.modellflug-technik.de/unterseite-3.html

K-wing

Momentum Model Technologies http://www.momentum-mt.se/StaticContent.aspx?pageid=619

Arctus, Polaris

Nano https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1016260

Oleg Golovidov http://www.olgol.com

Hawk, Flitz 2 & 3, Stream NXT, Falcon, Flitzebogen, Stream, Concept CX4-TD, Validol

PCM http://www.pcm.at/

Fireworks, Flow

QSC https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1237307

QSC 32 inch (80cm) SAL

Skybench Aerotech http://skybench.com/

Lil' Bird, Sunbird

SoaringModels http://www.soaringmodels.com/

Kite, Dart

SoaringUSA http://www.soaringusa.com/DLG-HLG/

Athena, Boom, Brko, Catia, Chicco, Chili, Concept CX5, Fireworks IV Carbon, Miras, NRJ, Stiletto Lift, Strike 3, Vice, Vortex 3 & 4

Stratair http://www.stratair.com/ProduktListe.aspx?Filter=ArtGr2_232

Athena, Bat, Chili F3K, Risk, Steigeisen, Ultegra, and X-Ray Micro

Tralla la https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=710881

Tralla la 80cm DLG

Vick Models https://www.vickmodels.com

Vick, Alt

Vladimir's Model http://f3j.in.ua/dlg-hlg-models.html

Yoda, Snipe, Elf

Wright Brothers RC http://www.wrightbrothersrc.com/products/gambler.htm

Gambler AG

Building Supplies

Aerospace Composite Products https://acpcomposites.com/

AeroMarine Products https://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&me=AMYL1E6M7MXHM&page=1

Resins and Molding Rubber

Aircraft Spruce http://www.aircraftspruce.com/

Full scale aircraft supply but has lots of stuff a hobbyist could use

AMT Composites http://www.amtcomposites.co.za/

South African Composites Supplier

Balsa USA https://balsausa.com/

Balsa Wood Inc http://www.balsawoodinc.com/

Composite Structures Technology (CST) http://www.cstsales.com/

Core Cutting mailto:gatorprops@yahoo.com

CNC foam cutting by RCG user Traian (https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=201874)

Discount Composite http://www.discountcomposite.com/glass.html

Fiberglass Supply http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/

FibreGlast http://www.fibreglast.com

Goodwinds Kites http://www.goodwinds.com/

Tailbooms

National Balsa http://www.nationalbalsa.com/

Soller Composites http://www.solarcomposites.com/

Specialized Balsa http://www.specializedbalsa.com/

Sig Balsa https://sigmfg.com/collections/balsa-sheets/

Sweet Composites http://sweetcomposites.com/Kevlar.html

Thayercraft http://www.thayercraft.com/

Glass Cloth

US Composites http://www.uscomposites.com/

Reference / How-To / Inspirational

Everything (SensibleNick / Plane_Tech) https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2171743

Collection of How-Tos, Build Logs, and useful threads — now curated by Plane_Tech

Airfoil Programs Thread https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=771413

FAI http://www.fai.org/aeromodelling/

Contest rules

Foam Properties https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1122205

How to Transport your Handlaunch https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1112373#post13127880

Links to examples of transport boxes

Molding / Bagging Threads https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229462

Radio Carbon Art http://radiocarbonart.com/

Videos on building and flying handlaunch

Radio Controlled Soaring Digest http://www.rcsoaringdigest.com/

Check out the Archives (http://www.rcsoaringdigest.com/pdfs/) — especially March–October 2006 which documented the build process for Maple Leaf's Encore

Reese Productions http://www.reeseproductions.com/videos.html

Lift Ticket videos

SAL Glider Yahoo Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SALglider/

Good historical info but activity there all but ended in 2007

SuperGee Thread https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=676909

Go here to get a full education on building and flying foam-core composite DLGs, centered around Mark Drela's seminal design, the SuperGee

Switchjacks https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16346321&postcount=14

SwitchJack and Wiring Harness Links

Tailwind Gliders http://www.tailwindgliders.com

Calc tools and instructional vids

Vacuum Bagging and Molding — Phil Barnes Techniques http://homepage.ntlworld.com/goddo/T%20W%20XP3%20Phil%20Barnes%20Techniques.htm

Vacuum Free Tail Surface Glassing http://www.rcarticles.mysite.com/WaxPaper/waxpaper.htm

How-to on producing glassed tail surfaces without vacuum-bagging equipment

Old or Dead Links

Bowman's Hobbies (Kit) http://www.bowmanshobbies.com/javelin.html

Javelin — dead link as of mid-2018

Bug Yahoo Group (Scratchbuild) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BugHLG/

Bug — Yahoo Groups shut down December 2020

Canterbury Sailplanes http://www.flycs.co.nz/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=1&product_id=18

Eagle — dead link as of mid-2018

Crazy Canuck Gliders http://www.crazycanuckgliders.ca

Vortex — dead link as of mid-2018

Dave's Aircraft Works (Kit) http://www.skykingrcproducts.com/rcplanes/DAW_kits.html

Hosted by SkyKing RC Products; Dragonette, Schweizer 1-26 — dead link as of mid-2018

CS Flugmodellbau http://www.cs-flugmodellbau.com/en/index_en.html

KiSal — dead link as of mid-2018

Davy (Scratchbuild) http://www.geocities.com/rc_eflyer/davy.html

Scratchbuilt micro-HLG plans in DXF format — dead link as of late 2016

Enduro Composite Models http://flyecm.com/

Apogee Elite, Apogee Sport — apparently dead as of 8/12

European Top Planes http://europeantopplanes.nl/

Tweagle — dead link as of May 2025

Edge RC http://www.edgerc.com/MiSAL%20DLG.htm

MiSAL — dead link as of mid-2018

f3x http://www.f3x.com

SALpeter, Aspirin, RAD2 and Stobel — dead link as of mid-2025

Falken https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=776467

RC Groups Thread on the Falken — no activity since 2010

Great Planes https://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/gpma1060.php

Fling DL

HKM http://www.hkm-taiwan.com.tw/Show.asp?Category=47&Products=160

Concept Xtreme 2, 3, 4 — dead link as of mid-2018

HobbyKing https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__1188__429__Planes_Parts-Sailplanes.html

Raven PNP — apparently no longer offered as of June 2025

Isthmus Models (Kit) http://isthmusmodels.com/models/sailplane/sailplane.html

Zephyr traditional built-up HLG, others — dead link as of October 2022

Jones' Prototypes http://www.jonesprototypes.com/

Vandal — link is dead as of 1/14

Liftworx (Kit) http://www.liftworx.com/

Swyft — no longer taking orders as of May 2013

Little Nipper Yahoo Group (Scratchbuild) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/littlenipper/

Grandfather of the Seeker / Swyft — Yahoo Groups is gone

Merlin Hobbies http://www.merlinhobbies.com/gliders.html

Ice Fire II reseller — dead link as of mid-2016

Miniplumes http://miniplumes.dixkey.com/crbst_6.html

Topset II — dead link as of mid-2018

Mistra http://www.voloinpendio.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106

Not on site as of August 2021

Modellbau Bichler http://www.modellbaubichler.de/Flugmodelle/Segler/TOPMODEL-CZ

EU supplier of Horejsi Joy and Longshot II, Valenta Apache, Huron and Baby Fly — dead link as of October 2022

The MONSTR Shop http://www.themonstr.com/Topsky-DLG-Kits_c4.htm

US Distributor of TopSky — dead link as of mid-2016

Mountain Models / Laser Arts (Kit) http://www.mountainmodels.com

Boomer, Quickflick II kit and short kit, DL-50, Supergee II short kit, Spinner XT EPP Kit — dead link as of October 2022

NQRC (Kit) http://nqrc.com/

Quickflick Kits, plus DLG onboard electronics solutions — apparently closed

Pacific Glider Works http://www.pacificgliderworks.com/

Arrow 5 and Arrow Pro 5 — dead link as of mid-2018

Peak Hobby http://www.peak-hobby.com/en/default.aspx

Binary, Binary 900 and Ice Fire II Manufacturer — dead link as of October 2022

Possum Works https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1232029

Avenger 3 — no activity since 2012

RC Builder http://www.rcbuilder.com/

Lighthawk, Lightspeed, Blade, Razor — dead link as of mid-2018

Rocky Mountain Soaring Association (Scratchbuild) http://www.rmsadenver.com/article.html

Old school javelin HLGs "Aspen Leaf" and "Soarcerer" — main RMSA site is live but listings for these HLGs are dead links as of mid-2018

Skip Miller Models http://www.skipmillermodels.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=27

Ultegra, Steigeisen, Super Freak — dead link as of mid-2018

Sklep Modelarski Exspert http://www.sklepekspert.pl/english/

Comet — dead link as of October 2022

SkyHighHobby http://www.skyhighhobby.com/micro-dlg-glider.html

Micro 21" — dead link as of mid-2018

SMT Solinske Modelltechnik http://www.solinske-modelltechnik.de/

YASAL — dead link as of October 2022

Spritz http://www.spritz-team.com

Spritz Molded DLG — dead link as of mid-2018

Steelhead Products (Kit) http://www.steelheadproducts.com/products_main.htm

Fry and Fry MKII — apparently dead as of 8/12

Top Soaring http://www.topsoaring.com/index_page0003.htm

Top Sky 2.0 and Mini Top Sky Manufacturer — dead link as of mid-2018

TUD Modelltechnik http://www.tud-modelltechnik.de/start_english.htm

Manufacturer of Aspirin and SALPeter — no longer on site as of August 2021

Twister https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1171720

No activity since 2013, Atlanta Hobby no longer distributing

YPSI http://model.ypsi.cz/

Fenix (in Czech) — dead link as of August 2021

Zaerotech http://zaerotech.com/shop/upload/

Zip 33 — dead link as of mid-2018

Fiberglassing without vacuum http://www.rcarticles.9f.com/WaxPaper/waxpaper.htm

Wax Paper / Weights method for tails — dead link as of mid-2018

Hilaunch http://www.hilaunch.com/

Reflective tape, hinge tape — dead link as of mid-2018

Polecat Handlaunch University http://www.polecataero.com/handlaunchu

Dead link as of mid-2018

Cheap Battery Packs (was cheapbatterypacks.com)

As of 2025, direct link removed as it redirected to a malware site

Clarasonic http://www.clarasonic.com/index_en.htm

US and China Supplier of Rohacell — dead link as of mid-2018

Compufoamcore http://www.compufoamcore.com/

CNC foam cutting by Laszlo Horvath — dead link as of mid-2018

Lonestar Balsa http://www.lonestar-balsa.com/

Back in business as of 2/2009 — dead link as of mid-2016

Stealth Plane Works http://www.stealthplaneworks.com/Default.aspx

CNC foam cutting by Anker Berg-Sonne — dead link as of mid-2018

DLG / F3K Hand Launch Glider Links 2026

Handlaunch Planes

Building Supplies

Reference / How-To / Inspirational

Old or Dead Links