How to Build a Foam Sailplane
A foam sailplane is a small one-piece glider built out of foam that can glide on the air for long periods of time. Building your own foam sailplane is a project you and your son or daughter can accomplish in an afternoon of work. You can then fly your sailplanes immediately. A good sailplane is aerodynamic and flies easily. There are a few important tips to keep in mind when designing and building your sailplane from foam.
Instructions
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Draw your pattern for the sailplane on your piece of cardboard. Draw a straight front about 5 to 6 inches long and then curve the wings down on each side to create a “D” shape on each side.
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Curve the wings inward an inch and then connect the bottom of the wings with a straight line. Free-hand or use a ruler to keep your lines as straight as possible. Experiment with shape to get it just the way you want.
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Cut out your pattern from the cardboard using your knife. Hold the cardboard steady with one hand while you cut with the other. Use scissors if you feel more comfortable using them instead.
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Throw your cardboard shape to see how well it flies. Create a different shape with your cardboard if the shape doesn’t fly successfully. Keep making shapes and testing them out until you get a shape that you enjoy using.
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Place your pattern onto your foam and trace around it with your pencil. Cut the sailplane out of your foam and throw it to see how well it flies. Paint it to add decoration and let the paint dry for 24 hours.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
