I can't, I really can't, believe that someone makes an electric paper plane launcher. It saves the effort of using the old arm, I appreciate that. But really...Apparently the device will launch a well-made paper airplane at speeds up to 50km/hour, and you can buy them on Amazon for £9.95.
Note that it carries Science Museum branding and royalties from the sale of the product help fund the venerable London museum.
Contents: base plate, battery box, rubber ring and disc, terminal box,
screw and nut, motor, pulley, red connecting sleeve, wire, sucker,
sticky pad, and detailed instructions with fun facts.
Previous I can't believe posts:
* I can't believe someone makes... A wooden MacBook
* I can't believe someone makes... Rubik's Cube Calendars
* I can't believe someone makes... A mobile phone shaver
* I can't believe someone makes... An LED messaging mouse
* I can't believe someone makes... Swarovski Crystal LCD TVs
* I can't believe someone makes... Glowing writstballs
* I can't believe someone makes... Klingon keyboards
* I can't believe someone makes... Armadillo Breadbins
Previous I can't believe posts:
* I can't believe someone makes... A wooden MacBook
* I can't believe someone makes... Rubik's Cube Calendars
* I can't believe someone makes... A mobile phone shaver
* I can't believe someone makes... An LED messaging mouse
* I can't believe someone makes... Swarovski Crystal LCD TVs
* I can't believe someone makes... Glowing writstballs
* I can't believe someone makes... Klingon keyboards
* I can't believe someone makes... Armadillo Breadbins
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Comments (6)
I see this being used for paper airplane contests where an impartial judge would be needed as the thrower....
Posted by yimmy | June 2, 2009 3:00 PM
Unfortunately the Science Museum has next to no integrity when it come to what overpriced merchandise it lends its name to.
I bought a "Create A Night Sky" ( http://www.sciencemuseumstore.com/mall/productpage.cfm/ScienceMuseumStore/197625 ) and it was completely disappointing crap. Ok, it was only £10, but the effect wasn't worth 10p. I didn't expect that from the SM, but I know better now.
Posted by Graham Rounce | June 3, 2009 11:50 AM
Yimmy - good point. These impossibly subjective things do need a neutral judge. Arm wrestling, conkers... I'd like someone try to get an electronic element into those!
Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com | June 3, 2009 12:09 PM
Once bitten..., Graham. I know what you mean. Brand association can be a two-edged sword. It does raise an issue of quality control, however pressing the need to raise additional revenue may be...
Posted by Alun Williams | June 3, 2009 12:12 PM
This reminded me of a visit to Making It in Mansfield near Nottingham - as fabulous place for kids. Included in the price it a making it kit (one of which is a plane launcher) but I thought you might like to see some of the other things you could be making
http://www.makingit.org.uk/what-is-making-it/
or here http://www.makingit.org.uk/docs/Education_ResourcePackNew.pdf starting on page 19
Posted by Nikki | July 1, 2009 11:40 AM
Why isn't this USB powered?
You could record the results of the aircraft testing on your computer, then....
Posted by Tolak | July 29, 2009 12:21 PM