How to Create a Model Airplane
Creating a model airplane is a project that involves detail work as the various parts of the plane come together and are painted. Model airplane kits are available to provide you with all of the pieces of the plane, a template for the paint and the instructions for putting the plane together. You can also build a model airplane from scratch if you know what pieces you will need.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Drawing paper
- Drawing utensils
- Balsa wood
- Aircraft plans
- Tape measure
- Hobby knife
- 220 grit sandpaper
- Wood glue
- White, craft tissue paper
- Tempera paint
- Spray bottle
Instructions
-
-
1
Look at a picture of the type of model airplane you intend to create. Focus on the main parts of the plane, such as the shape of the tail, wings, nose and body of the aircraft. Notice where the windows are placed or how the wings are angled. Draw the parts of the plane onto drawing paper to make the aircraft plans. Create a puzzle out of the pieces so they will fit into one another. For instance, the wing has to connect to the body of the plane, so the part of the wing that attaches to the body should have an indent where the body will fit into and be snug.
-
2
Transfer the aircraft plans to scale onto the balsa wood. Use a pencil and a tape measure to make sure the pieces that are drawn onto the wood have the correct dimensions. The aircraft plans include transfer pieces for the wings, body and tail of the plane.
-
-
3
Cut the pieces of the airplane out of the balsa wood with a hobby knife. Insert the knife into one spot on the piece you are cutting out, and slide the knife -- using a controlled, steady hand -- as you trace the outline of the piece, such as the wing. Set the individual pieces aside.
-
4
Sand the edges of the balsa wood pieces until the pieces are smooth. Not only does this keep the model airplane splinter-free, the smoother the wood is, the more the paint coats will shine.
-
5
Glue the pieces of the plane together at the joints. The pieces of the airplane will fit into one another, but the glue helps to ensure that the pieces do not detach once they are combined. Allow the glue to dry overnight.
-
6
Plan the paint design for the model airplane while the glue dries. You may wish to use reference materials and photos if you are attempting to recreate a specific aircraft. Or you can make up your own paint design.
-
7
Apply tissue paper to coat and prep the plane for painting. Glue the piece of tissue paper down onto the balsa wood pieces with a thin strip of wood glue. Spray the tissue paper with a light, water mist from a spray bottle and press the tissue paper into the wood so that it sticks. Allow to dry overnight.
-
8
Paint the model airplane with tempera paint.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Label the pieces of balsa wood as you cut them out to prevent confusion later on. For instance, you might write LW, which stands for left wing, on the corresponding piece to differentiate it from the right wing.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
