I had bought this model many years ago and finally got around to starting it. It will probably have to be a static display as this is my first and I really don’t know what I’m doing anyway what is a good source of information to learn the proper way to build these so they fly reasonably well
Balsa Airplane Models
- Thread starter raaizin
- Start date
Nice work! Brings back memories of Hobbytown and building a few of these. There are a few forums out there, but these basic kits were never great flyers in my experience and prob best enjoyed by the build and then as a static model. Cool though.
I built 3 of those balsa and tissue paper models....
The P-40 Warhawk
The F6F Hellcat
And a Spad biplane (the hardest one)
it took a LOT of patience, I was 9 or 10 years old at the time
The P-40 Warhawk
The F6F Hellcat
And a Spad biplane (the hardest one)
it took a LOT of patience, I was 9 or 10 years old at the time
Agree on static model. If you want to try flying, do so before spending a bunch of time finishing.
I built lots of those. Hard parts;
1. getting fuselage stringers straight so it won't collapse when the rubber band is completely wound
2. sanding the edges so the paper covers properly
3. using enough water mist but not too much to shrink the paper right
4. be careful with the glue and dope paint, it is intoxicating
5. taking your time and not getting frustrated, discouraged
6. not bragging about it.
1. getting fuselage stringers straight so it won't collapse when the rubber band is completely wound
2. sanding the edges so the paper covers properly
3. using enough water mist but not too much to shrink the paper right
4. be careful with the glue and dope paint, it is intoxicating
5. taking your time and not getting frustrated, discouraged
6. not bragging about it.
If you want to get into RC, start with something slow like a sailplane, with a small motor. And join a local RC club, only fly with the help of an instructor at first. Ask experienced flyers about what they recommend for beginners. You can waste a lot of money buying the wrong airplanes and crashing them if you don't ask experienced flyers first.
I love these planes! I flew/trashed many of them in my youth and couldn't wait to pick up another kit during the next trip into town.
The fancier planes were also great and the hours of assembly made me prize them even more. Alas, they always ended up in the trees or power lines. Then I cried.
I learned that there was a limit to much you could twist the rubber band. LOLI love these planes! I flew/trashed many of them in my youth and couldn't wait to pick up another kit during the next trip into town.
The fancier planes were also great and the hours of assembly made me prize them even more. Alas, they always ended up in the trees or power lines. Then I cried.
I wouldn't have had the patience for something like that as a kid. I've got a concert size ukulele kit from Steward McDonald that I hope to put together next winter. Gotta get my workbench cleaned off first.
When I built RC airplanes, I placed a large desser mirror on our dining room table as my flat building reference, and large sheets of cealin panels on that if requiring a surface to pin to. Wings were built with the heaviest wood ribs towards the center of the aircraft because they see more stress and are stronger. Rib 1 out from center on both sides came from the same sheet of wood, and so on, every rib came from the same sheet of wood as the same rib on other wing of that position out from center. I included a hole in every rib and a hole in the center of the wing under side to vent atmospheric pressure changes. I never had to add tip weight to balance wings. And when you held wings up and looked at when a leading or trailing edge while tilting the wing while held centered to your line of vision, all edges would disappear as you tilted the wings at the same time. They always were the same. No warps, no differance in angle of attack.
I also cut a huge right-angle reference from a large sheet of aluminum at work and used that to square the horizontal stabilizer hinge line, and fin.
My airplanes were aero dynamically very clean and had glide ratios noticeably better than most other builders.
Paying attention to details makes a better flying airplane.
I also cut a huge right-angle reference from a large sheet of aluminum at work and used that to square the horizontal stabilizer hinge line, and fin.
My airplanes were aero dynamically very clean and had glide ratios noticeably better than most other builders.
Paying attention to details makes a better flying airplane.
Last edited:
I built a goodly many RC planes also. Most were kit type, but some scratch built of my own design. Got lucky and came across a large stash of free styrofoam of the right density for making wings. That saved some serious time. Mortality rate as 100%. Build um, fly um, crash um. Then hurry up building the next. Punching holes in the sky. Great memories!
