Soaring gracefully through the sky, gliders have long captivated the imaginations of aviation enthusiasts. Their ability to harness the power of the wind, silently and effortlessly, represents the pinnacle of aerodynamic design.
Now, with the rise of 3D printing, a new era of glider manufacturing has emerged, pushing the boundaries of what was once thought possible. The combination of lightweight materials, intricate designs, and precise fabrication has paved the way for the creation of truly innovative and high-performance gliders.
This article presents an exciting collection of 3D printed glider models, carefully curated to offer a diverse range of options for enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced pilot, there’s a glider here that will cater to your skill level and preferences.
And if you don’t own a 3D printer, don’t worry! Craftcloud by All3DP is here to help. Simply upload your desired glider model and order it for delivery right to your door.
Super Stratos
The Super Stratos Glider is an exceptional creation that delivers a ridiculous amount of fun packed into 1,250 mm of ABS filament. From the moment you launch this glider into the air, it’s evident that you’re in for an exhilarating experience.
One of the standout features of the Super Stratos Glider is its excellent glide ratio and self-stabilizing dihedral. This design ensures that the glider maintains a steady and smooth flight path, allowing even novice pilots to enjoy stable soaring adventures.
The precise engineering of the wing design also enables high-speed flights without compromising on the glider’s glide capabilities. It’s the perfect balance between speed and efficiency. With a slight down bend in the elevators, it opens up a world of soaring loops. In conclusion, the Super Stratos Glider is an absolute blast to fly.
- Who designed it? exosequitur
- How printable/popular is it? So far, this sleek glider has over 750 likes and more than 28 shared makes across both sites.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory, Thingiverse
Rubberband
The Rubberband Glider offers a unique approach to aviation. The body design gives you the freedom to design and attach your own wings. The accompanying Lesson Plan and Activity make it an excellent educational tool, introducing basic flight principles.
Designed by a pilot, the project aims to stimulate interest in aerospace. Additionally, the availability of sample wings to print provides a starting point for experimentation. This glider combines creativity, education, and innovation, inspiring a passion for flight in a compact package.
- Who designed it? insane66
- How printable/popular is it? This cool design has over 1,200 likes, 4 shared makes, and 2 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Ultralight
This glider offers an exceptional flying experience with its lightweight and agile design. Offering quick printing time and minimal material usage, it’s also an efficient option. The print-in-place design means no assembly is required, saving time and effort.
The glider’s flight characteristics make it ideal for indoor use, providing hours of enjoyable flying without causing any disruption. Speed, efficiency, and indoor versatility combine for an unforgettable flying adventure.
- Who designed it? robotfriend
- How printable/popular is it? This design has more than 10,000 downloads and is approaching a whopping 130 makes posted by the community.
- Where to find it? Printables
Stable Flyer VI
The Stable Flyer VI is an impressive small toy glider that brings together playfulness and scientific ingenuity. Designed to be thrown like a dart, it offers an exhilarating flight performance. Based on a scientific paper, this glider utilizes aerodynamic principles for stability and precision in the air.
Notably, it received an award in the Printables “Make it Fly” contest, attesting to its innovation and success. With the Stable Flyer VI, you can experience the joy of flight while appreciating the scientific foundations behind its design.
- Who designed it? JoãoHackbart
- How printable/popular is it? This award-winning design has over 7,000 downloads and 110 posted makes.
- Where to find it? Printables
Business Card
This next ingenious glider uses three standard-sized business cards (3.5 x 2 inch) as wings, offering a clever and resourceful way to repurpose common office supplies.
What sets this glider apart is its fascinating printing process. The glider can be printed in a single, upright piece without supports or other special settings. Included with the design is a handy rubber band launcher. With a simple pull and release, you can send the glider soaring through the air with ease.
To further assist with assembly, clear and concise instructions are provided, making it easy for users to assemble their glider and start flying in no time.
- Who designed it? LoboCNC
- How printable/popular is it? This clever design has over 5,800 likes and 19 posted makes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Straw
The Straw Glider is a remarkable three-part printed glider that offers a simple printing experience. With a straw serving as its body, and tail and nose cone attached securely, assembly is effortless. The adjustability allows for fine-tuning flight characteristics.
Keep in mind that a layer height of 0.15 mm and an infill of 100% is recommended. No supports are necessary, making printing hassle-free. Prepare for hours of airborne excitement with this glider.
- Who designed it? 3dcad
- How printable/popular is it? This design has over 70 downloads and 1 make.
- Where to find it? Printables
Pigeon
The Pigeon Glider offers a delightful twist on traditional gliders with its charming bird-like design. Inspired by classic bird gliders and built with balsa wood, this model brings nostalgic fun to new heights. Choose from the one- or two-color versions.
Assembling the glider is made easy with the included instructions, and all you need is some super glue. Whether you’re a glider enthusiast or simply looking for an entertaining activity, the Pigeon Glider provides hours of airborne enjoyment.
Flying Night Dragon
Bring your favorite mythical creature to life with this awe-inspiring glider! This unique design requires some post-printing adjustments, and you’ll need to carefully bend the dragon’s wings and tail into position. With version 2.1 of the design, there’s no need to add a ballast to the head, thanks to the balanced structure achieved with 100% infill and PLA filament.
It’s important to note that occasional reshaping may be necessary after rough landings, so handle with care. Mastering the throwing technique, similar to a paper airplane, ensures optimal flight performance. Notably, this extraordinary creation was awarded first place in the Printables Make it Fly contest.
- Who designed it? Sevro
- How printable/popular is it? This mystical design has more than 21,000 downloads and 353 makes shared by the community.
- Where to find it? Printables
Caracara RC
The Caracara RC Glider is a larger version of the Crobe design, with a wingspan of 930 mm. Inspired by the original balsa wood glider designed by Franck Aguerre, this model takes it to the next level with RC capabilities and a motor. Along with the printed parts, additional materials such as balsa wood, battery, and servos are necessary for assembly.
The printing process itself is a significant undertaking, requiring approximately 150 grams of filament for all of the parts. Each set of parts comes with detailed recommended print settings. It’s worth noting that the Caracara RC Glider presents a challenge, making it an engaging project for hobbyists seeking a new level of complexity.
- Who designed it? LaurentL
- How printable/popular is it? This ingenious design has over 350 likes and 9 shared makes.
- Where to find it? Cults, Thingiverse
Schleicher
The Schleicher Glider is an exquisite 1:33 scale model of the renowned German Schleicher K7 glider, a beloved two-seat trainer in the aviation world. This 3D printed masterpiece consists of three basic parts: the body and two wings. The true beauty lies in the finishing process, which helps modelers hone their skills.
From sanding to painting, this project allows for creativity in post-processing. You’ll need some additional materials, including glue, paint, sanding paper, stickers, and clear coat spray. Embark on a rewarding journey of craftsmanship as you bring this iconic glider to life!
- Who designed it? Dape-13
- How printable/popular is it? This project has over 180 views on Instructables.
- Where to find it? Instructables
License: The text of "3D Printed Glider: 10 Best Models & Projects of 2023" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.