Vintage 1950's Airplane

We recently picked up this vintage 1950's hand made airplane from an estate sale. Mr. 58 had a nostalgic moment as he recalled that these little planes were very popular with the boys of his era. Like everyone else, he wanted one and bugged his folks until he got one. The plane had a real gas engine that powered the plane for about 5 minutes. It was attached to a long wire that you held as the plane went around and around and around......I'm getting dizzy. Yes, you stood in one spot going around and around until it ran out of fuel...... or you hurled! What fun!!! As best as he can recall, Mr. 58 said he only flew it once. Wonder why?