How to Make a Plane Model That Flies

You have always had an idea of how your plane would look and operate if you had the time and resources to build one. While you might not be able to build a fully-operational, ready-to-fly plane right now, you can build a plane model, complete with motor so that you can make any modifications or changes you feel necessary.If you are successful with your plane model, and the idea that you had is innovative enough to have true potential and feasibility, you might possibly find the capital you need to build an actual-size plane.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Flat-shaped, oiled steel wire
• Regular steel wire
• Bamboo fiber paper
• Spruce or other similar-weight wood
• Bamboo wood
• Glue
• Thread made of strong linen or other similar material
• Bamboo varnish
• Piece of brass
• Washers
• Airplane engine kit
• Hammer, pliers, screwdriver, nails, screws, and other hand tools
• Sandpaper

1. Decide which size engine you will want to put in your plane model first, as this will determine how big the plane model itself must be. (See Tips for more information)

2. Gather all the equipment and material you will need to build the plane; find a large working surface, and spread it all out so that you will have easy access to it. (See Tips for more information)

3. Build your framework (or fuselage) first, using the spruce or similar wood to form a triangle shape. Remember that your framework will also be holding a plane engine, so make sure the wood you use is thick enough to hold the engine’s weight. Sand the wood if necessary after you have cut it, to get rid of any rough edges.

4. Glue, nail, or screw the fuselage together where the vertical sides meet in a point at the bottom; glue the wood forming the top of the triangle to the tops of the vertical sides.

5. Build your rear and middle cross braces of bamboo wood, using thread to lash them.

6. Glue, nail, or screw each cross brace to its proper place on the fuselage. The rear cross brace should be one-half inch from the rear end of each of the fuselage pieces; the middle cross brace goes between the two ends of the fuselage.

7. Use the flat, oiled steel wire to build your frame by bending the wire to the necessary shape so that it will fit over the fuselage and act as a “rib.” Remember to leave room at the front of the plane for the engine compartment.

8. Assemble the engine kit, according to the manufacturer’s directions, and secure it to the fuselage with strong glue, small screws, nails, or any other fastening material that will hold it in place.

9. Turn your plane frame over, lay it on the bamboo paper, and trace the outline of the plane frame. This will be your pattern for the plane model covering. (See Tips for further information).

10. If using bamboo paper or thin, lightweight aluminum for your plane model covering, make the tracing approximately one-fourth inch larger than the plane frame itself so that the paper or aluminum can be folded over and glued, nailed, or screwed to the underside.

11. If using balsa or other light-weight wood, you will want your pattern to be the exact size of the frame, so trace exactly around the frame perimeter on the sheet of wood, then use a thin-bladed saw to cut the pattern out. Lightly sand the cut edges until they are smooth.

12. Attach your frame covering to the frame, using glue, nails, or screws.

13. Depending on the type of material you have used for the frame covering, apply a thin coat of bamboo or wood varnish to the covering, and let it dry thoroughly.

14. Find a wide-open, clear space, fire up the engine, and take your plane model for a test flight.

Tips & Warnings

• Engine kits come in the following sizes: 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, and 1/12. So, your plane model has to be the right size to support the engine you choose.

• Find a work space big enough so that you can lay each piece of equipment and all your material out individually, and still have room to actually assemble the plane model without having to go back and forth between work areas.

• Depending on the size of your plane model, you may wish to use a stronger material than bamboo paper for your frame cover. Thin, lightweight aluminum or even balsa or other light-weight wood may be a good choice.

• Take care when using saws, hammers, shaping tools, and other tools to cut, form, and build the plane mode. Saws and shaping tools can be sharp, and can cause cuts if they slip and hit a body part, hammers can smash or severely bruise body parts.

• If you are injured, and it is severe enough to require medical attention, do so at once.

• Use eye protection, so that you will not get wood chips, metal shavings, glue, varnish, or other foreign substances in your eyes. If you do still manage to sustain an eye injury, get medical attention as soon as possible.

• Use the glue and varnish in a well-ventilated area, and wear a filtration mask. If the fumes from these materials begin to make you sick, or cause irritation, leave the work area immediately, and seek medical attention if the symptoms do not subside.

• When you take your plane model for its “test flight,” make sure the area around you is clear of power lines, trees, or other obstructions, and make sure that if it were to crash, no property damage would occur.