Weston Aerodesign Co, aka WACO, designed and built some of the most sophisticated high-tech R/C sailplanes in the world. Frank Weston wrote many articles about radio controlled sailplanes and construction techniques. He incorporated some of his wisdom into his annual catalog. Here is the pertinent info from the Summer 1997 issue of the WACO catalog concerned with highstarts:

"Others sell highstarts with cheap, thin walled, extruded latex. The better and more expensive way to make latex is to form it around a mandrel with thicker walls. Mandrel formed latex has far superior physical properties, a useable elongation about 60% greater than extruded latex. Further, we use very thick-walled latex which is much more resistant to cuts and abrasion.

"Consider this: the energy a highstart can impart to a launch is directly in proportion to the tension on the latex times the amount the latex can be stretched. A highstart with very high tension is not necessarily the best highstart. For example: cheap extruded latex may have a tension of about 25 pounds and a 100 foot length may stretch a total of 200 feet - about 5000 foot-pounds of energy. A WACO highstart with a tension of only 20 pounds will stretch to 320 feet and store 6400 foot-pounds of energy. The WACO highstart will be easier to pull back and launch about 30% higher. WACO highstarts use only the best components. We use flourescent braided nylon line for high visibility. All connectors are plated, all rings are solid, and the parachute is handmade in the USA. Three highstarts are offered:

"STANDARD, 80 continuous feet of 3/8" OD, 1/8" ID mandrel latex, 250 feet of 150 pound test flourescent line, solid rings, snap swivel connectors, a quality US made parachute, an 8 inch spike and an electric cord reel. This highstart will launch an 80 ounce sailplane to 330 feet in no wind, and with a little breeze to 500 feet or better.

"HEAVY-DUTY, 100 feet of 7/16" OD, 1/8" ID mandrel latex, 500 feet of 150 pound test flourescent (hot pink or yellow) line, solid rings, snap swivel connectors, a quality US made parachute, an 8 inch spike and an electric cord reel. This highstart will launch a 100 ounce sailplane to 375 feet in no wind, and with a little breeze to 650 feet or better. Heavy duty highstart comes with connectors to shorten the line for landing practice or launch in restricted areas.

"TYPE-A, half the line and latex of the Heavy-Duty. Will launch a 100 ounce sailplane to 300 feet in no wind. Compact and powerful, good for short fields, landing practice."