Model Airplanes

You want a model plane, and your first impulse might be to buy a kit. In fact, though, it is easy and fun to make your own plane using balsa wood. This lightweight wood, available in hobby stores,…

Weight and balance are critical components of model aircraft design. Radio-controlled planes, capable of flight, must be precisely balanced or aerodynamic properties will be compromised, making the…

Though magnetic actuators for model airplanes can be bought at most national hobby and craft retailers, many hobbyists might find that they can save several dollars by fashioning actuators at home.…

Model planes come in many different varieties, with some actually containing working engines for use with remote controls. These engines work like larger engines; they are just on a smaller scale.…

Radio-controlled airplane hobbyists often need to work on their models, either to repair damage or to tweak performance. When doing so, it is convenient to have a sturdy stand to hold the airplane…

Building model airplanes is a hobby that takes a lot of patience, as model airplanes have numerous small parts and therefore take quite a long time to put together. If you’re someone who enjoys…

Model planes that are made from foam are lightweight so they could fly gracefully through the air. However, to get lift airplane requires suitable wings. To make the foam wings for a model airplane…

Hobby airplane models look great hung from a ceiling on fishing wire because the wire is invisible from a distance, giving the impression that the airplane is flying on its own. After the time, effort…

Flying remote-controlled (RC) model airplanes can be a fun way to pass the time. But this hobby is a bit more involved than collecting stamps. In fact, some of the same principles of aviation found in…

According to the Collect Air website, the building and collecting of model airplanes is a hobby that stretches back to the early 1900s. Today, builders and collectors still practice their passion. If…

Balsa wood is a light, easily cut and reasonably strong material ideal for making model planes. To create a realistic finish to the craft without buying expensive silicon skins, you can apply tissue…

Painting the engine of a model airplane helps bring the model to life and makes it look more realistic. Applying paint is not difficult, but becoming familiar with the appearance and colors of the…

Building a plastic model airplane from a kit is an engrossing craft project that requires concentration, coordination, patience and attention to detail. The right tools and proper construction…

Fiberglass is lightweight and durable. These qualities make it ideal for making model airplanes with. If you plan to fly the aircraft, you need to make the wings from foam or wood and then cover them…

When finishing a model airplane, you can paint on design details, or you can cover the balsa-wood frame with an iron-on film covering, such as MonoKote. Using a covering protects the plane from wear…

Model aircraft building gives you the opportunity to build aircraft from your favorite eras. Models are available that feature combat planes from World War II and passenger planes that are used today.…

The last step in the creation of a model airplane is the coat of paint. There are two main ways to apply paint to model aircraft: spraying and brushing. Most painters use brushwork for small details…

Nothing spoils a meticulously-constructed model aircraft more than an unsightly visible seam, which can occur at the line where two areas of the model are glued together. Some seams occur where there…

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…

Constructing a model airplane is a creative way to display your passion for flying. The problem with foam wings is that they may prevent a toy plane from soaring if the foam is exceptionally porous.…

You can build indoor model airplanes capable of flight using household materials. Light materials minimize the weight and drag of model airplanes, meaning lift requires minimal thrust. Note, however,…

In order to fix a cracked plastic canopy of a model airplane, it may be necessary to buy a second model in order to get a perfect replacement. Or, you can mold a silicone plastic copy of the canopy to…

The painstaking process of building a model airplane is rewarded with a realistic result that can be a decor feature in any enthusiast's room. Hang your model airplanes from the ceiling to keep them…

Applying an iron-on film covering to your balsa airplane will give your model a realistic look and help protect the wood from wear and tear. However, this type of covering is prone to wrinkles, both…

Building a model airplane can be as simple as purchasing a model and a tube of glue. There is a difference, however, between merely assembling a kit and building a representative model that looks like…

When you build or fly radio-controlled aircraft, you may want to know how much power your model plane's engine can deliver. One of the main measurements of this is revolutions per minute, which can be…

Radial and in-line aircraft engines were the earliest engine designs used in aviation. Although the first radial aircraft engine was developed two years earlier than the in-line aircraft engine, an…

MonoKote, made by Top Flite, is a plastic panel that is use to cover model airplanes. The panels are scratch and puncture resistant, and come in a variety of colors, providing creative options for the…

The wingspan of a bird is the distance between the primary, or most outward, feathers of each wing when the wings are extended as far as possible. Along with weight and length, scientists use…

MonoKote is a line of lightweight plastic shrink wrap films used to cover the surfaces of model aircrafts. MonoKote films come in different color schemes such as transparent, metallic, opaque, neon,…

A wooden stick airplane can be played with as a toy, hung on a Christmas tree, or suspended from the ceiling of a child's room as a decoration. Crafting a stick airplane takes only about half an hour…

Glues are a liquid or semi-liquid compound that are used to bond different materials. Glues are made from organic materials like bones, hooves and hide, basically any material that contains a…

Old aluminum cans can be used to make different types of crafts at home. By cutting, bending and gluing the aluminum, you can create some very interesting works of art. A common aluminum craft is the…

Plastic string is extremely useful in model making. It doesn't sag, doesn't fray and can simulate scale thicknesses very well. It is ideal for modeling car antennas, small scale gun barrels and…

Depron is a type of foam that's popular with remote controlled airplane pilots because of its easy workability and light weight. Airplanes made of Depron are capable of amazing acrobatic flight, or of…

Aluminum is one of the most versatile materials you can use to make model airplanes. You can use your old soda cans to make a piece of decorative art for your garden or home. The aluminum from cans…

Making an awesome paper airplane is simple but also amazing in that you create a flying object from a simple sheet of paper. Adding some origami techniques to the traditional lawn dart shaped…

So, you've made a paper airplane and are ready to use it in a war against some of your friends. Now that you've taken care to build an aircraft that is aerodynamically efficient and built to soar, add…

Most flying model airplanes use one of two types of power plants: electric motors or glow engines. Electric motors use battery power to turn a shaft to which a propeller is attached. A glow engine is…

You can create family stick figure decals for the back of your vehicle at home with your computer and printer. You see the little decals on the backs of vehicles, depicting the family in stick-figure…

When you detail an aircraft, you not only insure the quality of the paint, you also keep dirt and grime from getting into critical parts of the airplane. When you remove dirt, oil and soot from your…

Engine performance problems can be alarming and dangerous when driving a motorcycle. Hesitation on acceleration or engine stalling can put the motorcyclist at risk. The lean-drop method of carburetor…

Instead of throwing out those old scratched-up CDs, recycle them into a painting project. Painters and artists have long been known as the ultimate recyclers as they paint on things most people would…

The history of military aviation is filled with amazing airplanes; machines of war that have redefined the rules of air combat and have changed the course of wars. While each era in flight has had…

In the 18th century, Swiss scientist and mathematician Daniel Bernoulli studied the movement of fluid. His results, eventually known as the Bernoulli Principle, explain how airplanes stay in flight.…

Crafting a model building is a challenge that takes time. You will want to use the best materials possible when making a model for an architecture, school, diorama or model railroad project. Foam,…

Cars come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, speeds and uses; they are an integral part of modern life whether you are trying to break the sound barrier, race in Formula 1 or Nascar, commute to work…

The Boeing 737 is an extremely popular twin-engine commercial airliner. More 737s have been built than any other type of commercial airliner; 737s have been in production since the 1960's and are…

Teaching the parts of an airplane to children may confuse them if they do not have a visual reference. Plan a time to sit with your child and construct a model airplane. Models can be handmade or…

Wooden aircraft ribs are simple to make if you start with the right plans. Most amateur hobbyists use design plans from a hobby shop to get started. Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate…

Traditional internal combustion engines idle at a faster rate than what can be used when starting from a standing stop. Gear reduction reduces the revolutions-per-minute output by means of…

A fine paint job and attention to detail can help create the illusion of authenticity in your plastic model plane, but one of the best ways to bring it to life is to give it a real, spinning…

With a little ingenuity, you can test your model aircraft engines on a safe, homemade platform without shelling out extra cash to buy pre-packaged version. There are several ways that you can…

Model planes have been the hobby of both kids and adults alike since airplanes were invented, according to RC Model Airplanes. The small replicas of the huge flying machines can be both aesthetic,…

Adjusting the engine on your radio controlled airplane must be done before each day of flying to ensure correct engine operation. Model airplane engines require adjustment of the idle speed and fuel…

When making toys, fans or a windmill, you may need a propeller. Propellers are thin metal or wood devices that take air or water and propel it forward as it spins. In a fashion similar to how it…

Scale model airplanes can be studies in detail, representing appearance of the full sized versions down to the instrument panel. With many requiring hours to build if your model breaks, it seems a…

Many model builders specialize in a particular type of model, such as the 1/144 scale plastic model aircraft. A huge number of models exist in this particular style and model aficionados frequently…

Constructing and flying remote controlled airplanes is a hobby enjoyed by many. Although many planes are made from woods like balsa, to get them ready to fly, they must be covered in fiberglass resin.…

Plastic model hobbyists enjoy constructing replicas of all types and skill levels. While automobiles are common, many model builders prefer to make airplanes, particularly those that have been used in…

Mixing your own paper padding compound allows you to create beautiful handmade paper crafts. You'll save money by making the paper padding compound yourself. Consider using it for a variety of…

Building model airplanes is a pastime enjoyed by young and old alike. There are many ways to construct model airplanes, including model airplane kits that come with prefabricated pieces that you must…

The decal was first devised by Simon François Ravenet in 1750 for duplicating colored patterns onto dishware by adhering them to tissue paper, then basically heat-transferring them onto the…

There are a lot of different types of model helicopters on the market in many scale sizes from small 1/72 scale kits to large flyable RC helicopters. Also, commercial and sport helicopters require…

One of the distinguishing features of aircraft before the jet age is the cables and wires running externally. Biplanes featured cables in the rigging and World War II military aircraft typically had…

Wooden toy airplanes can lead to hours of play for a child. While functional in its natural, unpainted state, a wooden plane can be painted to make it more visually appealing or to match interior…

Miniature 1/144 scale planes are becoming more and more popular as molding technology allows for greater accuracy each year. They are also typically rather small and as such, there is normally room…

Although building model airplanes may require the imagination of a child, it takes the concentration and steady hands of an adult to create a masterpiece. Along with these skills, a model-airplane…

Model airplanes can be made from a wide array of materials like wood, fiberglass, foam or plastic. If you have chosen to construct your plane from plastic, the best option is to use acrylic paint…

A Mercury propeller is a finely balanced piece of metal that is made to offer the maximum thrust through the water. Care must be taken when removing the prop to prevent damage to the propeller edges.…

Marble columns can be a beautiful detail to a home, but real marble is very expensive. Save yourself some money, and create the look and appeal of marble through column painting. The process works in…

Building plastic models is a popular pastime for hobbyists everywhere. Museums and other educational venues also use a wide variety of models, some specially built, to show students and visitors a…

RC model planes are some of the most delicate toys that you can use for playing or showcasing. The best way to display RC model planes is to hang them from your ceiling. These can be used as a theme…

Building model airplanes requires tools designed for small-scale, precise work. A beginner's airplane model kit may require few, if any, tools, but most kits require at least a basic kit of modeling…

An airplane sitting on the ground may seem unnatural because planes are designed for flight. The same goes for model airplanes, although not all model planes were designed for real flight. If your…

All reciprocating engines, aircraft included, are identified by seven major design elements. Reciprocating engines, also known as combustion engines, will always contain cylinders, pistons, connecting…

Airplane enthusiasts often use balsa wood to make model airplanes. This lightweight wood is extremely soft and benefits from a hard, protective layer. You can use several coats of nitrocellulose…

Plastics play important roles in the lives of people around the world. Nutrition, shelter, transportation, and the overall health and well-being of humans are connected to plastic. The United States…

Designing and building an airfield for your model aircraft helps bring your hobby to life while simultaneously providing real benefits for your plane. An airfield with clearly defined takeoff and…

Building a radio controlled (RC) model airplane with a four-blade propeller is a task that requires attention to detail. It is not the same process as building a model that is for decoration. RC…

Radial engines are a popular configuration for many aircraft engines. In a radial engine, all the cylinders are lined up radially around a hub like the spokes of a wagon wheel, hence the name. Since…

Building a model airplane can be enjoyable, though it can also be an expensive process. To reduce cost and still create something you'll be proud of, there are two options. The first is to purchase a…

During World War I, lightweight balsa model gliders were introduced and quickly became popular with children and adults. Today's model planes are made from metals that are light but also sturdy enough…

Constructing model airplanes is an enjoyable hobby for young children and older enthusiasts alike. Most people construct airplanes from kits, which are widely available in hobby and craft stores.…

There are many ways to increase the aesthetic appeal of model airplanes, from highly realistic paint schemes and finish work to elaborate weathering that serves as the antidote to the at best…

If you're just getting into the hobby of building and flying remote-control (RC) model aircraft, the complexities related with starting, breaking in and tuning the small-piston engines that power such…

MonoKote is a brand of sealant used to cover craft and hobby projects, particularly model airplanes. It is used by many craft and hobby enthusiasts. There is no particularly special technique for…

If being acknowledged as the premier piston-powered fighter of the Second World War wasn’t enough, there are other reasons to consider the P-51 Mustang as a modeling project. Beginner hobbyists…

Ever since Orville and Wilbur Wright flew their first successful aircraft in 1903, the public gained interest in aviation. As time passed, companies produced model airplanes, which have remained…

Building model airplanes evokes a certain nostalgia in many people, hearkening back to simpler days when children could easily purchase a quality kit at a five-and-dime store. Today, commercial model…

Depron foam consists of polystyrene processed into a foam. This foam comes in EPS and XPS varieties and possesses durability and low cost of manufacture. Mainly favored by model builders, the foam…

Model airplane building is a hobby that’s enjoyed by millions of people of all ages and locales. One thing that’s important to a successful build is attention to detail. You want the look…

Upcycling is taking recycled materials and re-purposing them into a new product. In the past few years, this practice has become very trendy. You can even see upcycled crafts, fashion and home…

If you want to sell model airplanes, there are three basic ways to do it: in a traditional bricks-and-mortar hobby shop, an online venue, or by vending at model contests. Many model airplane sellers…

A toy airplane flies by imagination, not with batteries or rocket fuel. You can make your own toy airplane with a few items from around the house. Your toy airplane will get its body from a plastic…

Model airplanes have been around for decades. According to Thepaperairplanecompany.com, magazines from 1908 and 1909 "had articles which described the use of paper models to explore the field of…

Aviation is a relatively new field. The first real flight of an airplane was in 1903. The dream of flying has been with mankind for a very long time, though. Human aviation and model aviation are tied…

Building model airplanes out of balsa wood can be as simple or as complicated as you want, depending on the level of detail you want your model to have. For beginners, it is better to start just…

A cutout is a picture from which the background has been removed. Making a free model airplane cutout can therefore be done with very few materials, using only household items. All you need from…

Model airplanes are small-scale representations of full-size airplanes. Plastic model airplanes, assembled from many pieces, are made for display. Others, however, are fitted with motors and assorted…

From the simplest Balsa wood glider kit to the most complex Concord jet, acquiring and utilizing the best tools are essential for a job well done. Fortunately, most of the model airplane hobbyist's…

If you're looking for a fun paper-folding activity, take a stab at paper airplane models. To begin, look up some paper airplane instructions for basic to the most advanced models. There are many…

Model airplanes are a popular hobby for young and old alike. Constructing a non-powered glider that flies is a good idea for a first-time experience. The project can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a…

Many professional airplane model kits, geared toward children and adults, are available in plastic, wood, steel and high-tech metals. These models are nice for display pieces but may lack originality…

Styrofoam model airplane kits have been an entertaining craft project for young children and parents for many years. Unfortunately though it makes decent model planes, Styrofoam is not a very sturdy…

World War I vintage model airplanes are a welcome hobby to anyone who has a special place in the heart for aviation in general and World War I aircraft in particular. These models range from beginner…

After you've painted your model airplane, it looks fresh off of the industrial line---if you've painted it well. While some modelers may seek this appearance, others may want a more weathered,…

You have completed painting and assembling your plastic model airplane, and now comes the easiest part of finishing your project: Putting stickers, or decals as they are commonly known, on your model…

How easily you can remove a model plane from its stand depends on how it was attached. Cements made specifically for styrene plastic model kits join the parts through a chemical reaction that "welds"…

Music wire, or piano wire, is used in pianos to create sound from the piano. The wires are hit by the pedals, and the different sounds come from the different tensions of the wires. There are other…

Shelves are a great way to add storage space to a room, as they allow you to store possessions without taking up any floor space. If you are designing for a child's room, an aesthetically pleasing…

First developed in 1957, the Wankel rotary engine has no pistons. Instead it uses a rotating triangular rotor to compress the fuel before combustion. Rotary engines are compact and provide smooth high…

The wing loading of any model or full-sized airplane influences many flight characteristics, including takeoff and landing distance, gliding performance and stalling speed. Lower wing loading, or the…

Applying a fiberglass skin to a model airplane can create a lightweight, durable, fuel-resistant covering for your aircraft. A fiberglass skin provides a smooth finish, without the grain that comes…

After the time and patience that goes into building a model airplane, you'll want to display the work so others can see it. This is simple when the model is a car or other object normally associated…

R/C cars are all about fun, and in the minds of many enthusiasts, there's no fun like speed. Drag-racing R/C cars is a niche obsession shared by more than a few hard-core builders.

Balsa wood is a common building material for model airplanes. Strong, steady and lightweight while remaining easy to work, the wood is used to build models of any size covering aircraft from the dawn…

It seems as though more and more people around the world are becoming conscious of the importance of recycling in keeping our planet healthy. While some people may simply throw their used aluminum…

Making model airplanes is a hobby that attracts children and adults, as well as beginners and experts. Model planes can be made of plastic, wood or even aluminum cans. Some are remote-controlled…

Building gas-powered model airplanes is a hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. These remote-controlled aircraft use a nitro-fueled internal combustion engine to provide flight performance…

Cox Model engines were manufactured for over 50 years and were in many respects the yardstick against which other remote-control (RC) engines were measured. Leroy Cox created some of the most popular…

Airplane model building is an enjoyable hobby suitable for modelers of all ages. There are thousands of plastic kit models available from around the world in a variety of scales, covering aircraft…

Building and flying model airplanes can be an enjoyable hobby that teaches mechanical and electrical know-how and can be embraced by both young and old as a way to share the love of flying that almost…

Some paper airplane models are simple to make, while others are difficult. Models are often folded out of the standard paper used in school, since bored schoolchildren are prime paper airplane makers.…

Of all of the hobby genres, working with aircraft models is one of the most popular. Model kits are usually molded in plastic or wood, but both require a degree of care and patience as the user needs…

The beginner airplane modeler may be daunted by the challenge of adding exhaust stains, but for those wishing to create a truly authentic-looking model, it is necessary. Adding exhaust stains is part…

We all have hobbies and talk about hobbies because they help us stay focused on our favorite things or activities. Whether you like to collect stamps or read books, it is your own way to disconnect…

Conservation includes three major principles: recycling, reusing and reducing waste. You can reuse waste products including paper, cardboard and other common household goods in a variety of creative…

Building wooden model airplanes is a challenging and engrossing hobby. It requires attention to detail and a steady hand, but the results can be amazing. Whether you choose a kit-built plane or build…

Building and flying model airplanes has been a popular pastime for decades, enduring as a symbol of how greatly aviation captures the human imagination. The planes themselves range from simple balsa…

Decals on a model add character. A series of decals can denote details about the the Army, Navy or Air Force item that the model depicts. Decals can display rank as well as the number of enemy kills…

Painting is an important part of completing each model airplane project. The complexity and detail of each project will vary with the maker's needs. Detailed painting and special techniques will…

The wing area of American model airplanes is measured in square inches. The measurement is arrived at by multiplying the wing span by the wing chord. Wing chord is the width of the plane's wings from…

Model airplanes depend on their wings for flight. The wing of a model airplane is one of the most important and complicated elements of a model airplane to create. The wing must be very light but also…

Airplanes inspire all of us with their speed, freedom and even style. These vehicles inspire the creation of airplane-related toys, movies and video games, simply to give people the feeling they are…

Balsa wood model airplanes are lightweight, simple to construct and inexpensive to gather materials for. One type of balsa wood model airplane that is not seen as often is the biplane. This plane…

Model airplanes have been around longer than actual planes. Ancient cultures like the Egyptians and Greeks made flying toy birds that remarkably resemble the exact shape of many of our model airplanes…

Rinse out a plastic bottle, and let it dry thoroughly. The bottle should have no written material on it. Using craft scissors, cut out the material for the propellers from the plastic. The plastic…

After buying a model airplane, you need to assemble a few tools and items to build that plane. The most important thing to have is space to build the model airplane. You need a table that you can…

Glue is a compound that bonds two surfaces together. When building model airplanes, you're generally talking about joining plastic to plastic by means of the tiny tube of adhesive that is included…

If you're looking for a quick and easy craft project using recycled materials, a beer can airplane fills the bill. It's easy to create a simple airplane out of a few beer cans and some glue. Take a…

Plastic model airplanes are the perfect decoration for the home of any airplane enthusiast. Building a plastic model airplane, whether it is a vintage WWI biplane or a modern, state-of-the art fighter…

If the engine is firing intermittently, most likely it could be a problem with the battery type. Checking the recommended voltage for the model airplane's engine ensures that the correct battery is…

Flying model airplanes is much more popular than most people realize. In fact, there are hundreds of model airplane clubs throughout the country for the weekend enthusiast. But there are skills…

It's fun to decorate model airplanes with water-slide decals. But sometimes it's hard to find images that you really like on commercially produced decal sheets. You can quickly and easily create your…

Building model airplanes and other models can be quite enjoyable, as well as a great family activity. Not only can this activity be relaxing, it is an excellent development tool for children. When…

Building a homemade airplane model is a great inexpensive hobby to take up. These are great projects to get your children involved with and to inspire their imaginations as they build and customize…

Building models is a terrific hobby, and one of the more popular forms of models are airplanes. Airplanes models placed around the home will be admired by house guests for years to come. Here are some…

Building model airplanes is a hobby that can provide many hours of enjoyment. Ranging in complexity from simple snap-together models to extremely detailed scale models with working flaps and landing…

If you have never experienced the thrill of assembling a model airplane from a kit, you owe it to yourself to find out what model airplane building is all about. Imagine putting together and exact…

While not as popular as it once was, airplane modeling remains a satisfying pastime for creative aviation enthusiasts. While there are many ways to make model airplanes, such as sculpting from wood,…

Planning, assembling and decorating model airplanes is a fun and rewarding hobby. If you live by the old motto, "If you do something, take the time to do it right," then you want to avoid throwing…

Constructing and flying radio-controlled model airplanes can let your imagination soar, but your enjoyment will depend on having the right tools handy for building and repairing your miniature…

Radio-controlled (R/C) scale-model airplanes bring the thrill of flying to your fingertips. Just like beginning pilots, most R/C fliers begin with trainer aircraft - but in scale, of course.